The Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defense endorsed the Proposal for a Decision regarding the deployment of members of the Army of Montenegro (AVCG) to the European Union (EU) Military Assistance Mission in Ukraine (EUMAM UA).

The deputies cast four votes “in favor” and three abstentions. Members from the Europe Now Movement and Democrats voted “for”, while those from the former Democratic Front and Socialist People’s Party abstained.

This session specifically aimed to discuss that draft decision, alongside presentations on actions taken regarding the Police Administration (UP) in connection with the tragic events in Cetinje from this year and 2022.

Additionally, a Report will address the process of conducting checks to determine the (non)existence of security obstacles in fulfilling security duties, overseen by the competent verification commission according to the Law on Internal Affairs. This will also include discussions on disciplinary accountability and procedures for recruiting members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs police, which are set to be covered in the next week’s agenda.

In attendance were Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović and Colonel Hajrudin Đerekarac, Head of the Command and Operations Center of the Armed Forces of Montenegro.

MP Filip Adžić from the Civic Movement URA mentioned that the Committee received a letter from Chief of General Staff Zoran Lazarević, indicating he was expected at the session, but recent changes occurred.

“Neither the minister nor the general are members of the Defense and Security Council. This body is chaired by the state president and includes the prime minister and parliament members. The president informed us that Lazarević and Defense Minister Krapović would represent the Council under this item. We need to understand how representatives who are not Council members came to be here,” he stated.

Committee President Miodrag Laković clarified that this matter falls under the ministry’s internal affairs.

Krapović noted that Lazarević is currently on vacation and mentioned that he hadn’t received any material from the General Staff for the committee as of yesterday.

Adžić remarked that it was the responsibility of State President Jakov Milatović to inform the committee about Lazarević’s absence, stating he would not legitimize the session under these circumstances.

Recognizing the lack of quorum without him, Adžić chose to remain for the session while Krapović put forward his arguments.

The Minister of Defense asserted that the approval of this engagement by the Armed Forces of Montenegro is crucial for the closure of Chapter 31 in negotiations with the European Union.

Adžić exited briefly, but Laković emphasized that the session could proceed; however, a vote would be needed to confirm quorum.

Krapović mentioned that the mission is taking place in EU countries, namely Poland and Germany, and emphasized that he would never endorse Montenegrin soldiers being deployed to a war zone in Ukraine.

Đerekarac added that members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro would be deployed alongside their counterparts from Slovenia, similar to their current deployment in Latvia.

Dane Marković, representing the Europe Now Movement (PES), highlighted that some EU countries are not involved in the mission, which lacks legal repercussions but could have political implications—pointing out that the involvement of the Armed Forces of Montenegro would affect Montenegro’s policy alignment with the Union.

Following a five-minute break, deputies proceeded to vote.

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