Podgorica, (MINA) - The public statements by leader of the Democratic People’s Party, Milan Knezevic, which exerts illegal pressure on competent institutions, are extremely inappropriate, the Europe Now Movement (PES) has assessed.

Knezevic said earlier on Thursday that he learned that the Commission of the Environmental Protection Agency had already prepared a positive opinion and granted approval for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Botun.

The PES rejected the claims as false.

“It is unacceptable to spread panic among citizens, while at the same time targeting the Agency, whose expert opinion is still pending, as well as the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, with messages that can be interpreted as calls to challenge the work of national institutions, if the wishes of an individual are not met”, the PES stated in their response.

According to them, the intimidation of experts by ruling political entities was characteristic of the previous regime.

The PES pointed out that the wastewater treatment plant in Botun can only be built if competent and professional institutions confirm that it is safe for public health and the environment.

They added that Zeta is not an isolated entity, but a part of a broader Montenegrin ecosystem, and that the impact of the potential project on the Moraca river and Lake Skadar shows that decisions must be based on comprehensive analyses, not political pressures.