Republic of Montenegro
Government
PRESENTATION DOCUMENT OF
THE REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO
PRESENTATION DOCUMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO
1. Principles
Having restored its independence Montenegro is now in a position to freely
and independently determine its future. One of the first steps towards that
end has been to apply for the membership in NATO Partnership for Peace
programme. By signing the Framework Document of the Partnership for
Peace on 14th December 2006 in Brussels Montenegro has committed itself to
observing the principles and goals set forth in the Framework Document of
the Partnership for Peace and in the Basic document of the Euro-Atlantic
Partnership Council (EAPC).
Montenegro shares the values fostered by the Alliance - respect and
preservation of democratic societies; respect of the principles of international
law; abidance by the obligations deriving from the UN Charter, Universal
Declaration on Human Rights, Helsinki Final Act, as well as international
treaties on disarmament and arms control; refraining from threats or use of
force against other states; respect of existing borders and of the peaceful
resolution of disputes. That is why Montenegro wants to be part of NATO.
Montenegro is aware of the need to conduct comprehensive reform in order
to meet this goal.
By participating in the Partnership for Peace Program Montenegro seeks to
develop its capacities and become a member of NATO. In this regard
Montenegro is committed to expanding and intensifying political dialogue
and cooperation with Allies and Partners, and achieving essential reform of
the defence system.
We are convinced that the membership of NATO is of utmost importance in
guaranteeing peace and stability of Montenegro. Partnership for Peace gives
Montenegro an additional opportunity to take an active part in important
cooperation processes within regional mechanisms such as the Adriatic
Charter, Southeast Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) and South East
Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP).
Montenegro stands ready to contribute to the fight on terror and to the
preservation of peace in the world and is therefore determined to build
together with NATO the operational capabilities of its force.
Montenegro will propose a model of its participation and contribution in the
Partnership for Peace that will be commensurate to its size, its overall
traditions and its geo-strategic position. Montenegro has a long tradition of
fight for preservation of its freedom and its identity. It has stable relations
with all its neighbours and is building democracy resting upon the solid
foundations of multiethnic civic society.
The fact that political parties have reached consensus on Montenegro’s
membership in the Partnership for Peace can give additional momentum to
realisation of our Partnership obligations.
2. Objectives of Montenegro’s participation
One of the most important political and security objectives of Montenegro is
to become a member of NATO. All the activities within the Partnership will
be aimed at acquiring relevant capabilities and meeting standards that will
help Montenegro meet this objective.
To this end Montenegro will make use of the available instruments of the
Partnership for Peace, in particular of the Individual Partnership Action Plan
(IPAP). Montenegro wants to engage in IPAP as soon as possible. In this way,
we wish to accelerate comprehensive structural reforms necessary in order
that we can meet the standards for NATO membership. In the period ahead
Montenegro also wishes to engage in the Intensified Dialogue and
Membership Action Plan (MAP), as the final instruments for membership.
In this framework Montenegro wants to realize the following:
-
Developing political bilateral and multilateral cooperation at regional
level and within NATO;
developing cooperative military relations with the partners and
NATO;
reforming the defence system and a long-term development of forces
interoperable with the forces of NATO member states;
developing a system of democratic control of armed forces;
raising public awareness and enlisting the support of the public for the
need of Montenegro to join NATO.
3. Priority Areas of Cooperation
Participation in the various activities and initiatives within the Partnership for
Peace will significantly contribute to the understanding of the process of
Partnership, development of the Montenegrin defence system and
reinforcement of strategic goals as defined by the Montenegrin foreign and
security policy. Consequently, Montenegro wants to focus its activities
primarily on the following:
-
political dialogue and cooperation with Allies and Partners;
development of institutions and reform of the armed forces;
defence policy and strategy;
democratic control of the armed forces;
education and training of the civilian and military personnel;
-
foreign language training
tackling redundant weapons and ammunition;
crisis management.
Although the smallest country of the region, Montenegro actively contributes
to its stability and security. We believe that the stability in the Region can
only be achieved by cooperation and joint action of all its countries through
active participation in regional initiatives and processes, as well as by bilateral
cooperation. The process of integration of the Region in the EU and NATO is
a precondition for its security. Montenegro is therefore prepared to engage,
within the framework of IPAP and MAP, in political consultations with the
Allies and Partners in order to speed up domestic reforms. We are also ready
to launch a bilateral dialogue with NATO within the appropriate EAPC
framework or in the 26+1 format.
Montenegro has achieved a high level of democratic and political maturity, as
well as significant economic development. We have strengthened
macroeconomic stability and developed a market economy, which is
increasingly attracting foreign direct investments. We have also made
progress in building democratic institutions, strengthening administrative
capacity and the rule of law, reforming the judiciary and fighting corruption
and organized crime. However, many tasks still lie ahead, and the role of
NATO and Partnership for Peace is extremely important for continuing and
intensifying these reforms, which will contribute to our accelerated European
and Euro- Atlantic integration.
Montenegro has decisively launched an overall defence system reform with a
view to developing modern, capable, well-equipped and sustainable armed
forces. We want to develop forces that will achieve capabilities to conduct
joint peace-keeping and relief operations with NATO forces.
Reforming and downsizing the Montenegrin army are issues that Montenegro
is fully devoted to. In the period ahead we need to conduct a detailed defence
analysis that will determine the guidelines for developing a Strategic Review
and a long term Development Plan for the Army of Montenegro, as key
documents for a comprehensive reform of the defence system. With the
NATO assistance and coordination, Montenegro will conduct the Planning
and Review Process (PARP) and develop an Individual Partnership
Programme in order to implement NATO standards in its defence system
with the aim of reaching the required level of operability of its forces and
means.
In building its defence institutions and in drafting legislation and strategic
documents Montenegro wants to closely cooperate with NATO and other
international security institutions seeking to apply modern norms and
democratic principles.
By adopting the new Constitution and laws regulating the defence system,
Montenegro will regulate in a new fashion the authority over the armed
forces and their democratic control. In this regard, we wish to continue our
cooperation with NATO, DCAF and other international organizations.
Strengthening the expert capacity in the organizational structure of the
Ministry of Defence is necessary. In relation to professional development of
civilian and military personnel, we look forward to significant help of NATO
and other partners. Participation in joint planning, training and military
exercises will be a significant element of comprehensive cooperation of
Montenegro and NATO in the Partnership for Peace.
Since insufficient competency in English language is a constraint for our
participation in activities within Partnership for Peace foreign/English
language training will be one of our priorities .
Redundant and obsolete armament and ammunition is a big problem for
Montenegro in terms of both security and environmental concerns. This also
requires human and material resources for maintenance. Addressing this
problem is our priority and we expect significant assistance from UN, NATO
and other partners.
In order to take a preventive , timely and adequate action in terms of civilian
emergency management, in cooperation with the Euro-Atlantic Centre for
coordination of response to disasters, Montenegro will take necessary steps in
establishing an early warning system, building a national Crisis Situation
Centre and developing our own capability for adequate response to
emergencies.
4. Activities
The Government of the Republic of Montenegro has decided to set up a
Partnership for Peace Council, chaired by the Prime Minister. In addition, the
Government has set up an Inter-Agency Commission for the activities
deriving from the membership of Montenegro in the Partnership for Peace.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence have also set up
internal organizational structures to deal with issues pertaining to the
Partnership for Peace and NATO.
Montenegro intends to establish its diplomatic and military mission in NATO
headquarters in Brussels, including a permanent liaison officer at the
Partnership Cell in Mons in the shortest possible time.
In order to timely inform and educate the public on the necessity of EuroAtlantic integration of Montenegro, we have established a good cooperation
with the NGO sector and numerous international organizations. In order to
increase the level of education and solve problems through science, deal with
environmental and social issues Montenegro will establish cooperation with
NATO Scientific Council and plans to join Security through Science
Programme, Programmes for Modern Society Challenges and NATO
Program of Civil Science.
5. Funds
The funds that will be used for meeting Montenegro’s goals and priorities will
be allocated by the Government budget.
For 2007 Montenegro has earmarked the amount of 2.04% of the GDP for the
defence sector. The Government of Montenegro will try to keep the defence
allocations for the mid-term period at the level of 2% of the GDP. Combined
with the anticipated GDP growth, this should enable implementation of the
reforms and smooth operation of the defence system, without putting at risk
the living standards of the citizens and our economic growth.
Montenegro will keep selling unnecessary military facilities and will continue
the process of downsizing the number of personnel with the aim to lessen the
burden on the available resources.
Within the overall budget for the diplomatic and consular network from the
2007 budget the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has earmarked funds for the
purpose of setting up and operation of the Mission of Montenegro to NATO.
For year 2007, the Ministry of Defence has set aside a part of its budget for the
activities within the Partnership for Peace. The Ministry of Defence has also
earmarked funds for its military representation office in NATO headquarters
and Montenegro’s Mission to NATO.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence have allocated funds
from their 2007 budget for funding the activities of the Council for
Partnership for Peace and of the Commission tasked with Montenegro’s
activities deriving from the membership in the Partnership for Peace.
Through respective budgets of the ministries that conduct activities
pertaining to the Partnership for Peace Montenegro will in future plan special
funds for this purpose.