Is the Montenegrin army going to war?

According to the proposed decision on sending members of the Army of Montenegro to the EU Military Assistance Mission for Support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA), the Ministry of Defense will determine which soldiers will go, as well as the duration of the rotation, preparation, training and equipping, and monitoring and coordination of engagement as part of the mission, Podgorica Vijesti reported.

In the explanation of the decision, it is stated that the constitutional and legal basis for the adoption of the Decision on sending members of the Army to the mission of military assistance of the European Union to support Ukraine is based on the competence of the Assembly to decide on the engagement of members of the Army in international forces.

As explained, the decision is made at the proposal of the Council for Defense and Security, in accordance with the current legislative framework that regulates the participation of members of the Army of Montenegro in peacekeeping missions, international operations and other activities abroad.

In the explanation of the proposed decision, it is stated that the Russian aggression on the territory of Ukraine was the reason for the EU, together with international partners, to start comprehensive political, military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine, reports Vijesti.

On the basis of the EU Council Decision of October 17, 2022, a two-year European Union military aid mission to support Ukraine - EUMAM UA was established.

"Considering that European integration has no alternative and remains a key priority of Montenegro, the engagement of members of the Montenegrin Army in this mission is a clear expression of commitment to the Euro-Atlantic path and confirmation of Montenegro's credibility as a reliable partner of the EU," the decision proposal states.

As it is added, taking into account the participation of Montenegro in the EU Atalanta mission, it is optimal to engage up to three members of the Army of Montenegro in the EUMAM UA mission.

"For the Army of Montenegro, this kind of engagement brings additional benefits through the development of interoperability and operational capabilities, the acquisition of new knowledge and experience, as well as the application of lessons learned in the execution of both national and allied tasks and missions," the draft decision reads.

However, the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro subsequently announced that "no member of the Army of Montenegro will be deployed on the territory of Ukraine, nor will they participate in any military operations in that country.

"Potential participation concerns the training of Ukrainian soldiers in EU countries," the relevant ministry explains.

As stated in the announcement, the proposal for a decision on sending members of the Montenegrin Army to the EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA) implies that, if this proposal is voted in the Parliament, Montenegrin instructors, within the framework of the international support program, will participate in the training of Ukrainian soldiers in one of the allied countries, together with colleagues from partner countries.

"This activity represents Montenegro's contribution to the joint efforts of allies in providing assistance to Ukraine, exclusively in the form of training and support, and all in accordance with our international obligations and principles," the statement said.