OSCE
With 57 participating states in North America, Europe and Asia, the OSCE – the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe – is the world’s largest regional security organization. The OSCE works for stability, peace and democracy for more than a billion people, through political dialogue about shared values and through practical work that aims to make a lasting difference. The organization uses a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions.
Cooperation of the Ministry of Defence and the OSCE - MONDEM
Cooperation of the Ministry of Defence and the OSCE is focused on politico-military dimension[1].
Since Montenegro regained its independence, more than 86% of surplus explosive ordinances were disposed, and therefore there is no more ammunition with unstable powder in Montenegro. The number of storages for explosive ordnances has been reduced as well.
MONDEM project was implemented according to the Memorandum on cooperation within the area of technical aspects of demilitarization of conventional ammunition within the program for developing capacities for demilitarization and safe storage (SALW) for Montenegro, which was signed by UNDP, OSCE and the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro on 18th May 2009, pertaining to the following areas:
-destruction of hazardous chemical substances;
-disposal of surplus ammunition;
-destruction of surplus explosive ordinances;
-reconstruction of storages of explosive ordinances
MONDEM program was successfully completed in December 2018.
During the period 2007-2018, through MONDEM project, 3300 tons of heavy armament were destroyed; 1800 tons of surplus obsolete and hazardous ammunition were neutralized, 128 tons of toxic substances were safely disposed, and ammunition storages were reconstructed as well. Thus, human security and environmental risks were reduced.
Therefore, MONDEM program is recognized as one of the most successful projects in this area within the international community. As such, it was presented in OSCE Guide on good practices of international support and UNDP publication of successful projects.
- MITIGATION OF SECURITY RISKS RELATED TO SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS AND STOCKPILES OF CONVENTIONAL AMMUNITION (SALW/SCA) IN MONTENEGRO
Ministry of Defence has continued to strengthen its capacities and to resolve issues stemming from this area. Hence, all the needs for development of a sustainable life cycle management system of weapons have been systematically explored.
Therefore, Montenegro, in cooperation with the OSCE, initiated a new project titled “Mitigation of security risks related to SALW/SCA in Montenegro” (November 2020-August 2023), which will be focused on the following:
- support and advice on transferring international experiences of OSCE best practices in selected areas of lifecycle management of ammunition, explosives and weapons;
- establishing control of ammunition stockpiles;
- providing vehicles with ADR certificate.
OSCE CODE OF CONDUCT ON POLITICO-MILITARY ASPECTS OF SECURITY - CoC
OSCE participating states recognized importance of democratic civilian control over the security forces. In 1994, FSC adopted the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security-CoC, which is an important document in governing security sector.
This unique document represents a landmark in security sector governance, by obliging participating states to provide for democratic oversight of their armed, internal, paramilitary, intelligence and police forces. States are obliged to ensure that their armed forces remain politically neutral and to guarantee that the human rights of security personnel are respected. The Code of Conduct also includes key principles on relations between states, calling upon participating states to implement all adopted agreements regarding Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBM).
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of signing the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, the Ministry of Defence organized a number of activities to further promote this important document on national level.
ARMS CONTROL
Implementation of the Agreement on Sub-regional Arms Control, Article IV, Annex 1-B of Dayton Agreement (The General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The Agreement on Sub-regional Arms Control, Article IV, Annex 1-B of Dayton Agreement (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia) represents one of the key mechanisms for preserving and improving security and stability in the region. The aim of the Agreement is to reach a balanced and stable level of the armed forces of state parties, by defining numerical limits for five categories of conventional ammunition, possessed by the Parties.
In implementing the Agreement, Montenegro is showing its full commitment to the aims and tasks that State parties have jointly defined. Therefore, Montenegro contributes to reaching concrete results, which was recognized and positively evaluated not only on regional but on international level as well.
Montenegro was a Chair of the Agreement on Sub Regional Arms Control during the second half of 2020.
Implementation of Vienna Document 2011
Vienna Document 2011 (Vienna Document 2011) is a politically binding document. Mechanisms and provisions of VD 11 for confidence and security building measures include exchange of annual information and verification, by conducting evaluating visits to military units, inspections to specific areas, visits to military air forces, as well as by monitoring announced military actives, monitoring trainings and exercises and informing about new types of armament. Furthermore, VD 11 encourages and makes basis for developing contacts and wider international military cooperation among signatories.
After regaining its independence, Montenegro has started to completely implement VD 11, as the youngest OSCE participating state.
Ministry of Defence completely meets all obligations stemming from Vienna Document, in a professional and transparent manner, as well as supports process of modernizing VD, giving its contribution to strengthening mutual trust, cooperation and security within the European environment.