Budva – Strategic Planning Seminar organised by Montenegro's MFA

5 October 2013
Photo: ESI
Photo: ESI

ESI's Kristof Bender attended the 4th Strategic Planning Seminar organised by Montenegro's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Budva, Montenegro. Among the around 50 participants were Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic, Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi, the Romanian State Secretary Lucian Aurescu as well as Montenegro's political elite from Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic and Prime Minister Djukanovic to Deputy Prime Ministers Igor Lukic and Dusko Markovic to Defence Minister Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic. Kristof chaired a panel on regional challenges.

This year's seminar focused on NATO and Montenegro's prospects for NATO accession. As the event followed Chatham House rules, we can provide you here only with some general impressions.

Representatives of many NATO members supported Montenegro's quest for an invitation to be extended to Montenegro at the next NATO summit in 2014. If this is indeed going to happen, however, is still very unclear. 

First there is the question of Montenegro's preparedness. While many NATO members praised Montenegro's efforts, a few critical ones insisted that there remain a number of issues to be addressed, including in the area of the rule of law.

Even more important appear considerations that are not linked to Montenegro. A number of the larger member states are reluctant to label the upcoming summit in London an "enlargement summit". Some think that with issues such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan and current challenges in the Middle East the agenda will already be packed. Others are concerned that the label "enlargement summit" would automatically bring up Georgia and its membership prospects – an issue few want to address now. In addition, many point to lacking commitment for further enlargement by the United States.

Overall, views presented contrasted strongly, but few object that the issue of Montenegro's invitation is still open. Ahead lies one more year before the summit – one more year for Montenegro to make progress; one more year for the NATO member states to convince each other.

Seminar agenda