PODGORICA — As Montenegro was transformed from a republic within a union into an independent State, the OSCE [1] presence underwent its own transformation. The Office in Podgorica, which had been run since January 2002 on the principle of “substantial autonomy” under the former Mission to Serbia and Montenegro, became independent from its Belgrade headquarters on 29 June, barely a month after its host republic became the world’s newest country.

A fully-fledged status has injected fresh impetus into the Podgorica-based OSCE field presence and has meant increased visibility in Vienna and elsewhere. However, on the ground, much remains the same as it was in the past five years, particularly regarding programmed activities, said Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu.

“We are continuing our activities in all areas — democratization, legislative reformand institution-building, reform of the media and the police, and environmental protection and economic development,” she said.

A memorandum of understanding was signed on 24 October in Vienna by Montenegrin Foreign Minister Miodrag Vlahovic and OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, setting out the conditions governing the new relationship.

“What is different about our new mandate is that it is even more comprehensive than before; it requests us to work in matters such as military security and defence reform,” said Ambassador Badescu, a Romanian diplomat who traces her direct involvement in CSCE/OSCE politico-military issues to the early 1990s.

Fortunately, the Mission is spared having to grapple with post-conflict challenges faced by several other OSCE operations in the region. It also benefits from an enthusiastic host country.

“We have a major advantage in that the OSCE is a welcome presence here. Our Mission has been established at the country’s request, and it has a high profile relative to other organizations,” Ambassador Badescu said.

“So now our task is to meet the high expectations, to build the Mission’s capacity to help, and to reinforce our partners’ generally positive perception of our work. This is a huge responsibility.”

The Mission includes 15 international and 30 national staff members. The Police Training Centre in Danilovgrad, near the capital, has also come under the Mission’s wing.

Montenegrin officials listen intently to what the OSCE Mission has to say, and they often take it into account. “Knowing that our voice is listened to gives us an even greater sense of responsibility,” the Ambassador said. “My staff and I take special care not to impose unwanted solutions. Co-operation is key.”

This does not mean, however, that the Mission does not express constructive criticism when the situation calls for it, she said. “Our hosts do appreciate this frankness. They welcome being advised in a timely manner so that they can initiate improvements and avoid making mistakes.”

The statehood issue having absorbed much of the country’s attention and resources, the ruling coalition’s top priorities have moved on to consolidating statehood, bringing about integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions, and improving the country’s economic performance through sweeping reforms.

Beyond these, a host of other interlinked issues are high on the agenda as well. “Young democracies that are emerging from decades of centralized rule are confronted with the struggle against corruption, organized crime and trafficking in human beings, and related rule-of-law problems that come with more openness,” Ambassador Badescu said. “Montenegro is no different. Corruption does exist and organized crime is also present. The issue is whether there is a political will to eradicate these phenomena.”

And does she think that a political will exists in Montenegro? “The authorities acknowledge the issues and there is no lack of will,” the Ambassador says. “Whether there is enough of it is of course debatable. All the necessary mechanisms have been established, but the challenge is to make them work properly.”

The Mission will continue to be engaged in this area, as reflected in its ambitious programme in law enforcement and good governance.

At a recent summit meeting of south-eastern European leaders held in Serbia, which focused on the fight against organized crime and terrorism, Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović pledged a “strengthened resolve to fulfil standards in this field, as a precondition for [Montenegro’s] further democratic development and its European and Euro-Atlantic integration”. He cited details of the OSCE’s assistance and recommendations towards meeting these standards.

As the OSCE Mission’s host country tackles its comprehensive institutional, political and economic reforms affecting practically every aspect of security, Ambassador Badescu and her staff are keen to assist in any way they can.

“I’m very proud of the OSCE’s achievements here over the past five years, but I’m also well aware that much remains to be done and that major challenges still lie ahead,” she said.

OSCE Magazine December 2006

*Mrs. Susanna Lööf is Press Officer in the OSCE Secretariat’s Press and Public Information Section.