The Council of the European Union (EU) has not yet made a final decision on the allocation of six million euros to Montenegro from the European Peace Aid Instrument (EPF), which Croatia opposed at lower decision-making levels in the EU, "Vijesti" has learned unofficially.
The "Vijesti" source from the Montenegrin Government says that Croatia also opposed Austria's proposal that Montenegro receive 45 million euros for the establishment of the Western Balkan Security and Defense College. That school would be built on the site of the former "Masline" barracks in Podgorica.
The "Vijesti" source from Brussels said that Croatia has not blocked the allocation of funds from these two instruments and that the matter is still being decided in the EU.
The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs did not respond to "Vijesta"'s questions as to whether it is true that they blocked the allocation of money from the EPF for Montenegro and the military college in Podgorica, and if so, why.
Some Croatian officials and analysts announced the possibility of blocking Montenegro's European route after the adoption of the Resolution on Jasenovac, Dachau and Mauthausen in the Montenegrin Parliament on June 28. Because of that resolution, she declared three Montenegrin politicians undesirable.
Neither the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro nor the European Commission answered the same questions.
The interlocutor of "Vijesti" from the Government said that the Croatian ambassador at the session of the Council of the EU was against the statement on the allocation of money to Montenegro from the European Peace Aid Instrument. Montenegro requested support, among other things, for the procurement of military equipment for extreme winter conditions.
The final decision in the Council of the EU is made by the ministers of foreign affairs of the member states of that community. The source claims that Austria prepared a non-paper in which it proposes that Montenegro receive money for the construction of a military college, but that Croatia did not sign it.
The European Peace Aid Instrument is a mechanism whose aim is to strengthen the EU's ability to prevent conflicts, build and preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability.
That instrument is worth more than 17 billion euros, is financed outside the EU budget and covers a period of seven years (2021-2027). It is a unique mechanism for financing all actions within the framework of the common foreign and security policy in the field of the army and defense.
When it was established in March 2021, its initial financial ceiling was 5,69 billion euros. The EU Council increased this financial ceiling in March 2023 by 2,29 billion euros, in June of the same year by 4,06 billion euros and in March of this year by five billion euros).
The increase from March refers to the dedicated Fund for Aid to Ukraine, according to the website of the Council of the EU.
In a study on the benefits of establishing a college for the security and defense of the Western Balkans, the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) stated that Montenegro is the most suitable for the establishment of that institution.
"After analyzing and assessing the advantages and risks of each country in the region, Montenegro proved to be the most strategic and best-equipped country to host the college. This conclusion is based on the country's solid economic framework, strategic and easily accessible position, with a steady and strong aspiration towards European integration, elements that together reduce the potential risks that could hinder the establishment of the college," reads the study from December last year.
However, the unstable political situation is highlighted as a risk, while "endemic corruption within political circles and judicial mechanisms continues to represent a significant challenge".
Requested support for the procurement of equipment for extreme winter conditions
A delegation of the European External Affairs Service (EEAS) paid an expert visit to the Ministry of Defense on November 30, 2023, in order to discuss modalities for providing support to Montenegro in order to strengthen defense capacities through the European Peace Instrument.
In the Government's platform for participation in the session of the Stabilization Committee held in February, it is stated that this potential support relates to the procurement of equipment for extreme winter conditions and equipment to strengthen HBRNO (Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear Defense) and SAR (operations search and rescue) capacity.
As it is added, the then head of diplomacy of Montenegro, Filip Ivanović, in accordance with the EEAS suggestion, sent a request in December 2023 for support in strengthening the defense capacities of Montenegro to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Jozep Borelj.
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