Montenegro - Security Policy

In the area of defence, the Government adopted the Defence Strategy (June 14, 2007) and the National Security Strategy (June 20, 2006), while the normative framework has been completed with the adoption of the Law on Army and the Law on Defence (July 27, 2007). The October 2008 Strategy of Montenegro is a document that provides answers to the most important issues in the area of functioning and development of defence system. This Document derives from the Constitution of Montenegro, National Security Strategy, PfP Presentation Document of Montenegro and its strategic commitment for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The Strategy provides vision on how Montenegro will implement basic defence function – preservation of independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Strategy provides strategic guidelines for development of defence system of Montenegro until 2015 and is intended to all leading institutions for organisation, preparation and implementation of defence of Montenegro, for which it presents conceptual framework and source of obligations. It is also intended to national and international public for presentation of defence arrangements.

In the spectrum of current security challenges, the emphasis can be put on the following: international terrorism, proliferation of weapons for mass destruction, pending border issues, religious and ethnic disputes, organised crime, natural and man-made disasters, economic and social problems and cyber crime. Asymmetric threats, such as terrorism, organised crime, ethnic and religious conflicts, and proliferation of weapons for mass destruction constantly change and develop and they are characterised by uncertainty, constant duration, unpredictability, disproportional nature, dynamic nature and low cost in relations to the effect. These threats have transnational character and no single country has a capability to face them alone, but they require global co-ordinated response. Processes of Euro-Atlantic and European integration are ongoing in the recent years in the region of South East Europe. All South East European countries are either integrated or in the phase of integration into NATO and EU. At international and regional level, several security co-operation initiatives are launched in order to establish long lasting peace and stability in the region. In military terms, reduction of armaments and military assets is being carried out.

As a consequence of reduction of military assets in the region, integration of the countries into NATO and EU and development of the policy of confidence, co-operation and partnership, military threat to Montenegro is significantly reduced; however, it cannot be excluded in the future. Global challenges, risks and threats are not primarily related to use of military force. Security of Montenegro can be negatively affected by crises in South East Europe, but instabilities in other regions cannot be neglected because of indirect effect. Identified modern challenges, risks and threats, in particular asymmetric threats can affect security of Montenegro.

Defence goals derive from defined security interests and goals of Montenegro. Strategic defence goal of Montenegro is to develop integrated defence system, capable to defend and preserve independence, sovereignty and national territory. Montenegro is firmly committed to preserve its freedoms, independence, sovereignty and national territory in all security conditions. In order to respond to present and future security challenges, risks and threats, it is necessary to develop wide range of defence and military capabilities.

Modern challenges to the security are of such nature that Montenegro cannot base its defence on its capabilities only. Montenegro believes that small countries can best provide and solve their own security by accessing the system of collective security. Montenegro actively participates and contributes to stability and security in the region and Euro-Atlantic community by being actively engaged in regional initiatives and processes and through bilateral and multilateral cooperation with partners and Allies. The state became a full member of the OSCE on June 22, 2006, as well as a full member of the United Nations on June 28, 2006, and upon the fulfilment of the requirements, it became a full member of the Council of Europe on May 11, 2007.

NATO membership is one of the strategic foreign policy and security priorities of Montenegro. Montenegro sees the NATO as a guarantor of Euro-Atlantic security and as a key partner in strengthening regional and national security. Montenegro actively participates and contributes to the stability and security of the region and in Euro-Atlantic community through active engagement in regional initiatives and processes, as well as through its bilateral and multilateral cooperation with partners and allies. In this context, Montenegro wishes to intensify its cooperation with NATO through the implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).

After the proclamation of independence of Montenegro, the EU established its relations with Montenegro as an independent and sovereign state. The direct negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Montenegro started on September 26, 2006. In September 2006, the EU Council also initiated the political dialogue with Montenegro. Prior to that, in March 2006, on the basis of the reviewed European Partnership for Serbia and Montenegro, Montenegro adopted the Action Plan through which it implemented the priorities from the European Partnership. On November 30, 2006, the Government adopted the Action Plan for the strengthening of administrative capacities for the SAA implementation, and in May 2007, it adopted the Action Plan for the implementation of recommendations from the European Partnership for Montenegro (on the basis of the European Partnership for Montenegro, adopted by the Council of Ministers of the EU on January 22, 2007).