Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – According to the two representative trade unions at Airports of Montenegro (ACG), the withdrawal of the consortium led by Incheon International Airport Corporation from the airport concession procedure confirms that the proposed concession model was not in the interests of the company, its employees or the state.

The unions said in a press release that the development did not come as a surprise.

“On the contrary, it confirms everything that both unions have been systematically and consistently pointing out for months – that the concession model, as proposed, was not in the interests of Airports of Montenegro, its employees or the state,” the press release reads.

Throughout the procedure, the two representative unions maintained a clear and consistent position against the proposed concession model, supporting their opposition with detailed, professionally grounded comments on the draft concession agreement, which they submitted in due time to both the Government and Parliament.

“Those comments fully exposed the shortcomings of the concession agreement. They highlighted its fundamental weaknesses, the risks it posed to vital national interests, the uncertainty surrounding employees’ status, and the fact that the proposed model did not guarantee benefits commensurate with the value and strategic importance of this infrastructure. Unfortunately, time has confirmed that every one of those objections was justified,” the union representatives said.

In that context, the unions welcomed the Government’s statement and its explicit position that it would not accept solutions that fail to guarantee full protection of Montenegro’s vital interests, as well as its acknowledgement that Airports of Montenegro has been achieving outstanding business results.