Today, this Tuesday June 24, 2008, took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, the first plenary meeting of Intensified Dialogue between Montenegro — represented by Assistant Foreign Minister, Mrs. Dragana Radulović, and Assistant Defense Minister, Mr. Drasko Jovanović — and NATO — represented by Mr. Robert F. Simmons Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Security Cooperation and Partnership.

During the meeting have been discussed subjects related to Montenegro and the expansion of NATO; the political situation in Montenegro; foreign and domestic policies; security, defense and military, economic issues; the status of refugees and displaced persons in Montenegro; the reform of judiciary; the audit strategy of national security and making strategic defense review; as well as issues on regional cooperation and bilateral relations with neighbours.

On the occasion, Assistant Foreign Minister Radulović handed over to Mr. Simmons Montenegro Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO, as adopted on June 19, 2008, in Cabinet meeting by the Government of Montenegro.

Montenegro IPAP with NATO, May 30, 2008

Montenegro is one of the newest members of the NATO Partnership for Peace, joining in December 2006. At Bucharest Summit on April 2-4, 2008 in Romania, the country was invited by NATO Heads of State and Government to begin an Intensified Dialogue on its membership aspirations and related reforms, following acceptance by NATO Political Committee of the Presentation Document of Montenegro-NATO Individual Partner Action Plan on March 11 this year.

Website to visit:
 Governmental portal for Euro-Atlantic integration of Montenegro.

Montenegro’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO
Podgorica, May 30, 2008
—
I. POLITICAL AND SECURITY ISSUES
—

1.1.— Integration into NATO and the EU
The strategic priority of Montenegro with regard to its foreign policy is full European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The Euro-Atlantic goals of Montenegro are compatible with the European integration process and connected to overall internal reforms aimed at political and economic stability, security and full observance of democratic standards.
Montenegro seeks full membership in NATO. To that end, Montenegro wants to initiate a political dialogue so as to strengthen its cooperation with NATO on economic, security, defence, scientific and social issues within the IPAP implementation, further develop bilateral cooperation with the Allies and partners, implement the Intensified dialogue with NATO, and create the preconditions for participation in the MAP.
In the forthcoming period, with a view to fully integrating in the EU, Montenegro will continue with the implementation of the European Partnership priorities, especially with regard to the political criteria, further strengthen its administrative capacities, continue with the implementation of the Interim Agreement, and later on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, adopt and implement the National Program of Integration, apply for membership in the EU and initiate preparations to provide answers to the future Questionnaire of the EC.

1.2.— Strengthening neighbourly relations and regional cooperation, as well as cooperation with international organisations
Montenegro will continue developing good relations and communication with its neighbours, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia, further improving economic, political and cultural relations through successful cooperation with countries in the region in the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and also strengthening cooperation in the field of defence.
With a view to further improving regional cooperation, Montenegro will strengthen its capacity for taking over the chairing of the regional initiatives, aspire towards obtaining membership in the Adriatic Charter and the South East Europe Defence Ministerial process (SEDM), and improve cooperation and acquire membership and observer status in regional initiatives and organizations.
Montenegro will continue cooperation with all international organisations, especially the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe (CoE), and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Montenegro will continue with implementing of activities envisaged by the Action Plan for Cooperation with the CoE, as well as with signing and confirming of remaining conventions of the CoE. Montenegro is committed to meeting the requirements arising from membership in international organisations: strengthening its position in these organisations by participating in the work of their bodies, as well as delegating Montenegrin citizens for the work in international organisations, and strengthening of cooperation with the EU office in Montenegro and the OSCE Mission in Montenegro.

1.3.— Democracy, human and minority rights, and the rule of law
With a view to strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, and full protection of human and minority rights, Montenegro will fully implement reforms arising from the Constitution, these being the reforms of legislation and protection of human and minority rights, reform of the judiciary and the police, and the strengthening of the border police capacity and the mechanisms for integrated border management.
As a part of the legislative compliance with the new Constitution, new laws will be passed and the existing laws will be amended in order to bring them in line with the Constitution.
With regard to the full protection of human and minority rights, Montenegro will pass and implement strategies, programs and action plans related to the minority policies: improving the position of the Roma, the Ashkali, and the Egyptians, permanent resolution of the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, anti-discrimination, gender equality, and strengthening the institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Taking into account current international standards and principles, according to its economic potential, the Government of Montenegro is committed to strive towards a permanent resolution of the issue of refugees and IDPs and to that effect will implement activities of repatriation, local integration and departure to third countries.
An independent and reliable judiciary is of strategic importance for the pursuit of Montenegro’s interest in the process of democratisation and Euro-Atlantic integration. In order to achieve the highest degree of independence of the judiciary possible, Montenegro will implement the Judicial Reform Strategy for 2007-2012, pass new organisational laws and rationalise the judicial and state prosecutors networks and create adequate working conditions for the judicial authorities, pass a set of new laws, and reduce the number of pending court cases.
With regard to the reform of the public administration, a new Police Law will be passed; also, some new police-related laws will be passed and the existing laws and enabling regulations will be amended, the same as the strategic documents under the exclusive authority of the Police Directorate, and the Strategy on Migrations and Asylum will be passed and implemented. Montenegro is fully dedicated to achieve high level of border security in order to prevent illegal migration and trafficking in human beings. In that respect,the Border Police will continue working on the comprehensive implementation of the Strategy of Integrated Border Management; other activities will include demarcation and establishment of the state borders and the strengthening of the administrative capacity and technical equipping of border crossings. Also, Montenegro will work on the implementation of memoranda, agreements and protocols signed by Montenegro and Croatia, including the Agreement on Cooperation in Prosecution of Perpetrators of war crimes signed by prosecutor offices of the two countries. With a view to improving overall situation in this area, a system of electronic surveillance of the state borders will be introduced. In addition, we will continue with the activities in resolving war crime cases in Montenegro.

1.4.— Fight against corruption and organised crime
In order to create an efficient system for the prevention and suppression of corruption in Montenegro, the Action Plan of the Program for fight against corruption and organised crime will continue to be implemented, transparency in political party financing will be improved, and other activities will involve ensuring the efficiency in the process of discovering, investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of corruption-related criminal offences; active chairing the Regional Anticorruption Initiative (RAI) of the Stability Pact, implementation of 24 binding recommendations contained in the GRECO Report, adoption of laws that will introduce new legal concepts, and improvement of the administrative capacity for the suppression of corruption.
In order to step up the fight against organised crime and corruption, Montenegro will improve its practical and technical means in order to fight against individual criminals and organised criminal groups, continue with capacitating courts and prosecution to fight organised crime, ensure further organisational and functional improvement and specialisation of units for the suppression of economic crimes and corruption, provide efficiency in the process of detecting, investigating and prosecuting organised crime cases, as well as create the intelligence service system of the Police Directorate.
In order to strengthen the fight against corruption and organized crime, Montenegro will work on developing regional cooperation. In order to strengthen awareness of citizens with regard to negative consequences of corruption and organized crime, joint public awareness campaigns and preventive activities are planned in cooperation between the government and non-government sector/civil society.
In fighting organised crime Montenegro will further implement activities outlined in its strategic and action plan documents tackling money laundering, suppression of trafficking in human beings, drug abuse and addiction, and trafficking in weapons, as well as international instruments and standards from this area. The strategy for fighting trafficking in human beings is implemented, and the establishment of standard operational procedures is planned for treating the victims of trafficking in human beings at national and trans-national level. Also, activities are undertaken for improving the work of the Service for suppression of drugs, as well as for implementation of the law on foreign trade in arms, military equipment and dual-purpose goods.

1.5.— Fight against terrorism and arms control
Montenegro will pass a law on combating terrorism, continue with activities aimed at preventing suspicious terrorism-related transactions, form antiterrorism units, and improve cooperation of the armed forces and special antiterrorism units, and capacitating them for potential participation in peace support operations. As regards arms control, Montenegro will harmonise its national legislation with OSCE documents, implement laws on transportation of dangerous substances, take aktive participation in the Oslo process and sign the the Convention on Cluster Munitions, ratification and implementation of the Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), including the additional protocol and the protocol on small quantities of nuclear materiel, and also prepare and sign the action plan of the Strategy for reduction of small arms and light weapons, implement international conventions and UN conventions from the area of disarmament and arms control, and continue with the realization of MONDEM project.

1.6.— Democratic control of armed forces
Montenegro will endeavour to ensure democratic and civil control of the armed forces as the expression of democratic society and the reformed security and defence sector. To that end, Montenegro will: further develop efficient and transparent legislative and judiciary systems for the oversight of the security sector; educate representatives of the legislative and judiciary authorities in the area of democratic control of the armed forces; strengthen the role of the Parliamentary committee for security and defence, strengthen the role of the civil society in democratic control of the armed forces; improve public awareness on the control of armed forces; enhance involvement of the Parliament and the Parliamentary committee for defence and security in the preparation of the strategic security documents.

1.7.— Economic development
Montenegro’s future economic growth depends on the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, further improvement of the institutional environment, and consistency and efficiency in the implementation of the adopted strategic documents. To that end, Montenegro is working on a reduction of personal income tax rate; a reduction of the share of the current public expenditures in GDP, the balancing of public expenditures while recording fiscal surplus, as well as decreasing the foreign trade deficit.
Further privatisation process, the implementation of development-investment projects, attraction of FDI, as well as further activities related to adjustment of the education system to the economic requirements are of great importance.

II. DEFENCE, SECURITY AND MILITARY GOALS

2.1.— Establishing of the system and implementation of reforms
Montenegro is determined to develop security and Defence system which will have capabilities and capacities suitable for security needs of the country and also to contribute to perseverance of world’s peace through participation in the international peace support operations.
In accordance with these determinations, Montenegro has decided to conduct a Strategic Defence Review and harmonize and adapt National Security Strategy and Defence Strategy. The National Security Strategy will be a base for mentioned strategic documents.

2.2.— Military interoperability and training
Montenegro is determined to reach military interoperability with NATO Allies and other nations to be able to train, exercise and operate effectively together. Montenegro will reach interoperability by the means of standardization, through the development and implementation of concepts, doctrines and procedures to achieve and maintain the required levels of compatibility, interchangeability or commonality in the operational, procedural, material/technical and administrative fields. In this vein, Montenegro intends to participate actively at NATO standardization process and adopt relevant standardization documentation.

2.3.— Human Resources Management
Montenegro will establish transparent system for human resources management. The system will identify qualifications and training needed for performance of duties in each post. A system of fair and transparent evaluation of performance will also be established. Standard financial salary scales for each position plus rates for special qualifications or duty will be established. Everybody will have equal possibilities referring to promotion. Retirement conditions will be determined. The basic aim is to ensure that human resources are provided with appropriate pay, career opportunities, training and education to enable them to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.

2.4.— Long term plans for Commanding and Control (C2), Logistics, and Equipment
Subject to the outcome of the SDR, Montenegro will develop plans for Commanding and Control (C2) and establish appropriate C2 structure, introduce new logistical concept reflecting new missions and tasks of armed forces with emphasis on participation in missions abroad. In addition, a long-term modernization and equipping plan will be developed.

2.5.— Elimination of surplus of military infrastructure, military equipment, ammunition and toxic dangerous materials
Montenegro intends to downsize the number of military facilities — final number of facilities will be decided subject to the outcome of the Strategic Defence Overview. Military infrastructure to be in use of the Armed Forces of Montenegro needs reconstruction and modernization. Montenegro has also initiated demilitarization of surplus military equipment, ammunition and dangerous materials.
This process will be transparent and corruption free.

2.6.— Individual Partnership Program
In 2008 Montenegro will continue implementation of IPP with a focus on: Language Training, Medical Services, Military Education, Consultation, Command and Control, Defence Policy and Strategy, Defence Planning, Budgeting and Resource Management, Civil Emergency Planning and Disaster Preparedness, Logistics.
Montenegro will also develop IPP for the period 2009-2010.

III. PUBLIC INFORMATION, SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT
AND CRISIS SITUATIONS PLANNING

3.1.— Public diplomacy
The Montenegrin Government will continue implementing the Communication Strategy on Euro-Atlantic Integration in order to provide timely, complete, objective and transparent information to the Montenegrin public with regard to this process. Six-month action plans will be crucial for implementation of the Communication Strategy.
The implementation of the Communication Strategy will cover a wide range of activities such as: raising public awareness of the advantages and challenges of NATO membership through the press, internet, panel discussions, round tables, and strengthening cooperation with the civil sector in these activities; strengthening cooperation with NATO in the field of public diplomacy, especially in the creation of a NATO documentation centre i.e. depositary library, and the introduction of Euro-Atlantic integration as a subject on the university curriculum.

3.2.— Scientific cooperation
Montenegro is interested in intensifying scientific cooperation with NATO with a view to contributing to the reform of the security and defence sector. One of the national security objectives of Montenegro is ensuring the environmental protection and the country’s readiness in facing modern society challenges in this respect. Therefore, Montenegro will participate in partnership scientific research in the following fields: environmental protection, information-communication technologies, biotechnology, socio-economic and social sciences; participation in meetings of the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Committee, harmonisation of the environmental legislation with the EU acquits, improvement and harmonisation of the existing system of environmental monitoring with international requirements and standards, and implementation of the Project of Harmonization of Seismic Hazard Maps for the countries of the Western Balkans.

3.3.— Cooperation in crisis situation planning and preparedness
In planning the response to crisis situation, Montenegro will direct all the pertinent activities in line with the National Strategy for Emergency Situations and Civil Security. The activities will involve the modernisation of the civil security system and development of a modern form of civil security. Special attention will be dedicated to active cooperation with all neighbouring countries through the integration of all the available resources of Montenegro. In addition, intensified activities will involve cooperation with various NATO bodies (the Senior Civil Protection Committee, the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre - EADRCC), as well as the CMEP organisations and initiatives (the Civil-Military Emergency Response), DPPI (Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South East Europe), OPCW (Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons), and the like. In addition, further activities will be undertaken with a view to harmonising the national legislation on protection and rescue with the relevant EU acquis, and capacitating and equipping of the Operative-Communication Centre 112.

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES AND INFORMATION SECURITY

4.1.— Administrative issues
Starting from the strategic commitment of Montenegro to strengthen and intensify cooperation with NATO through the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), and NATO`s support to this process, the administrative and institutional requirements have been met for the preparation and implementation of the IPAP. In order to successfully implement the IPAP, the Government of Montenegro has established a special expanded Commission for IPAP whose members are the representatives from seven line-ministries involved in implementing IPAP obligations, as well as the representatives of the Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Security, Police Directorate, Agency for National Security, Customs Administration, Secretariat for Legislation, Administration of Anticorruption Initiative and Administration for Prevention of Money Laundering.
The expanded Commission for IPAP has been responsible to prepare the IPAP Presentation Document and to draft and implement the IPAP. All the activities of the Commission related to development and implementation of IPAP must be approved by the Council of Partnership for Peace. Prior to the adoption of the IPAP by the Government of Montenegro, it will be approved by the Council for Partnership for Peace. The Commission will regularly report to the Government with regard to the progress in the IPAP implementation.
Montenegro will sign and implement the PfP SOFA, continue developing the mechanisms for coordinating Euro-Atlantic integration with the emphasis on IPAP implementation, and continue with capacity building of institutions and staffs.

4.2.— Information security
The Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law on Classified Information on February 13, 2008 and the Government of Montenegro passed regulation and appointed director of the Directorate for Protection of Classified Information.
Montenegro will now build capacities of the Directorate and the system of licences for classified information and registers of classified information.