NATO’s relations with Montenegro
How does cooperation work in practice?
Following independence, Montenegro is undertaking a wide-ranging programme of structural and institutional reforms. The instruments available within the Partnership for Peace (PfP) can greatly assist in this process and the country has developed recently its first Individual Partnership Programme (IPP). Areas of cooperation, reform plans and political dialogue processes will be detailed in this document, which is jointly agreed with NATO for a two-year period.
Montenegro delivered a Presentation Document to the Allies in April 2007. The document details the likely areas of cooperation to be included in the country’s first IPP. Key areas are likely to include, institutional development and armed forces reform, defence policy and strategy, democratic control of the armed forces, education and training of civilian and military personnel, including foreign language training, dealing with stocks of redundant weapons and ammunition, and crisis management activities.
Montenegro is working towards establishing a diplomatic mission at NATO Headquarters as well as a liaison office at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). The country is also working to implement an agreement on classified information exchange with the Allies.
Security cooperation
Montenegro aims to increase security cooperation within the PfP framework. Participation in joint planning, training and military exercises will be a significant element of cooperation within PfP. Montenegro aims to join NATO Allies in future humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
In support of NATO's efforts to equip and train the Afghan National Army, Montenegro offered a donation including 1600 weapons and ammunition.
Defence and security sector reform
Defence and security sector reforms will be key elements of cooperation. The Alliance as a whole and individual Allies have considerable expertise that the country can draw upon in this area. A key priority is working together to establish full democratic control over the armed forces. The Allies also support the wider democratic, institutional and judicial reform process underway in Montenegro.
With Allied assistance, Montenegro aims to conduct a detailed defence review analysis that will determine the guidelines for developing a Strategic Defence Review and a long-term development plan for its army. These documents will provide a basis for a comprehensive reform of the country’s defence system. The country has joined the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) to develop forces that will be fully capable of conducting peacekeeping and relief operations with NATO and Partner forces.
NATO Allies have supported a NATO/PfP Trust Fund project in both Serbia and Montenegro to remove anti-personnel landmines. Redundant and obsolete armaments and ammunition remain a significant problem for both countries, in terms of both security and environmental concerns.
Civil emergency planning
In cooperation with Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC), Montenegro intends to take the necessary steps to establish a national early warning system, build a national crisis situation centre and develop its emergency response capabilities.
Science and environment
Under the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme Montenegro has received grant awards for a number of cooperative projects. Projects include Seismic risk hazard reduction projects and studies into the future of regional cooperation.
Montenegro and NATO aim to increase scientific cooperation. Key cooperative areas for development could be research into counter-terrorism, the removal of dangerous chemicals, and environmental initiatives.
Public information
Montenegro and NATO aim to improve public access to information on the benefits of cooperation with NATO. A broad and effective communications strategy will be an important aspect of PfP cooperation.
