NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Montenegro agreed its first Individual Partnership Programme (IPP) with NATO in January 2008. Cooperation was deepened in July 2008, when its first Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) was agreed. A first NATO assessment of the implementation by Montenegro of its IPAP took place in early 2009.

Montenegro gained independence from its state union with Serbia in June 2006. The country seeks to draw closer to Euro-Atlantic standards and institutions, with the eventual aim of joining the Alliance. As with all NATO’s Partner countries, the extent of cooperation ultimately depends on Montenegro's desire to pursue democratic, institutional and defence reform processes.

Framework for cooperation

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. The country submitted its first Individual Partnership Programme (IPP) at the beginning of 2008 and has since then been actively participating in numerous PfP activities.

Montenegro submitted a PfP Presentation Document to the Allies in April 2007. The document details the areas of cooperation which Montenegro intends to focus on as a PfP partner: 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 has established a mission to NATO as well as a liaison office at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). An agreement with NATO on information security was signed in April 2007, and became operational in November 2008.

Key areas of cooperation

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. It is also considering a future contribution of medical personnel to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

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 is conducting 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 Montenegro 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.

Evolution of relations

The NATO Allies recognised Montenegro’s independence very shortly after it was declared in June 2006 and invited the country to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP) at the November 2006 Riga Summit. The country formally joined the Partnership in December of that same year. In April 2007, Montenegro delivered a PfP Presentation Document to the Allies detailing the country’s aims and proposals for cooperation within the PfP framework. The document became the basis of the country’s first IPP agreed in January 2008.

In April 2008, the country was invited by NATO to begin an Intensified Dialogue on the full range of political, military, financial, and security issues relating to its aspirations to membership. As part of the Intensified Dialogue, NATO conducted six rounds of staff-level consultations with Montenegro on various topics between June 2008 and January 2009.

In July 2008, Montenegro agreed its first IPAP with NATO. A first assessment took place in early 2009.

Key milestones