The Army of Montenegro is undergoing modernization, which entails purchase of helicopters, tanks, modern patrol ships, air surveillance equipment, and connection to NATO integrated system of air protection, said Minister of Defense Predrag Bošković.
Speaking to MINA Agency, he said that he expects that by spring all 28 members will ratify the Accession Protocol of Montenegro to NATO. He expects the new US administration to fully support Montenegro’s integration.
According to hi, the Ministry will be dedicated to developing the Army through basic defense, participation in international mission, and more efficient support to civil institutions in the times of crisis.
„We are focused on modernizing the Army through purchasing new and efficient equipment“, he said.
Montenegro will continue to contribute to peace in the world through participating in UN, NATO and EU missions.
„In order to contribute to the stability in the region, Ministry and the Army will work to improve the cooperation. We will support all regional initiatives concerning safety“, Bošković said.
He said that the Ministry will continue to exchange intelligence with UN, NATO and EU. They will implement international contracts for control of artillery.
„In order to strengthen human resources, Long-term plan of developing defense entails voluntary military service starting with 2019“, Bošković said.
He also spoke about the process of ratification of Accession Protocol to NATO.
“Interior situation of member states surely impacts the pace of ratification. Keeping that in mind, current pace and positive remarks on Montenegro’s progress give faith that by spring all 28 members will ratify the Protocol“, he said.
Bošković reminded that the Accession Protocol was signed in May 2016.
When it comes to the ratification in the US, he said that the States have been a strategic partner of Montenegro during the last ten years, giving immeasurable support to defense.
„This is especially underlined through cooperation with Maine, through planning, trainings and modernization of the Army“, he said.
„We expect to continue this cooperation and to have full support of the new administration, which was announced from many political addresses“, he added.
When it comes to Army’s readiness, the Minister said that the results accomplished during the last ten years are extraordinary. Positive remarks from NATO and partners are the best measure of success.
„Our soldiers take part in the most significant operations of peace in the world, shoulder to shoulder with other countries“, Bošković said.
According to him, during the time of accelerated technological progress, the Army must follow trends in artillery and equipment, and the Government must provide conditions.
Bošković reminded that the Strategic overview of defense entails that by 2024 Montenegro must bring budget for defense to 2% of total GDP, which is a NATO standard.
Strategic overview of defense, Long-term plan of development of defense 2016-20125 and Plan of military integration of Montenegro in NATO define Montenegro’s defense goals. Their implementation is the priority of Ministry of Defense.
„Keeping in mind the approaching membership of Montenegro in NATO, special attention will be paid to completing activities that entail obligations in the field of collective defense. THis entails selection and training of civil and military individuals for NATO commands and activities“, Bošković said.
He reminded that Montenegro received the Bluebook in July, based on which it will share its capacities and develop defense systems within the collective system of defense.
„Ministry of Defense is working on compliance of legislation and preparation of the Draft of the Law on amendments to the Law on using Army of Montenegro units in international forces and the Draft of the Law on amendments to the Law on Defense“, Bošković said.
He added that he expects these laws to pass within the first half of this year.
„These laws mean that the Parliament will be in charge on making a decision on requesting NATO help in defense of Montenegro, they will define control and protection of Montenegro air space, as well as jurisdiction of Council of Defense and Safety in making decisions on declaring Army units within Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty“, Bošković said.
