Portelli on Montenegro island: ‘I have visited it and I’m interested’

Joseph Portelli has confirmed he is considering buying an island in Montenegro and said he has “great plans” for it, but he has not bought it yet because he is weighing all his options.
Portelli told Times of Malta that over the past couple of weeks he visited St Mark’s island, where the Montenegrin government has issued a planning policy for development, to “explore the possibilities”. The island reportedly costs around €90 million and is currently owned by another private company.
“Yes, we did go to see the island and I am interested in it because it is beautiful beyond imagination.
“The government there has already drafted plans for it, and I believe our vision would make it even more beautiful,” Portelli said, without giving further details.
“But contarary to what some reports have claimed, I have not bought it. This is a huge decision which we cannot take lightly, but if we do acquire it, it will be trusted in the hands of some of the world’s best designers and architects.”
The island, also known as Stradioti, is the largest island in the region and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and attractive locations in the Adriatic sea.

It stretches over almost 340,000...