There are several locations in Montenegro that could potentially be suitable for a military training ground, but such projects will not be implemented against the will of citizens and society, said Defense Minister Dragan Krapović.
"If there is no readiness for that in Montenegro, then we need to come to some compromise and agreement to look for solutions for the military training ground somewhere outside of Montenegro," Krapović said in an interview with the MINA agency.
He pointed out that the issue of establishing a military training ground is very complex and cannot be resolved quickly.
"I think that Sinjajevina started in the wrong way from the beginning. Of course, that was the manner of some previous governments. This government has the intention and obligation to be, above all, a government of European character and to listen to what the citizens think and want, not to impose anything, especially not by force or some unilateral decisions," Krapović said.
He said that, after all the problems, they finally gave up on Sinjajevina and started scouting in several other parts of Montenegro, where they could potentially find a solution related to a military training ground.
"We have some locations, several options, and how certain it is that it will be implemented in those areas remains to be seen. That depends not only on the Ministry of Defense, but on a large number of other circumstances," said Krapović.
He did not want to reveal which locations were involved.
"I wouldn't bid, because that could cause certain problems. Last time it was done that way, so I wouldn't investigate publicly, there's not a high degree of certainty," Krapović said.
He said that, as with military service, he would like the entire society to be consulted on the issue of the military training ground.
"It is not wise to implement such projects and ideas against the will of citizens and society," added Krapović.
Krapović pointed out that it is difficult to find areas of this scale that are far from settlements and that are suitable for military training, noting that Montenegro is territorially small, and that some areas can no longer be considered for military training grounds because they have been devastated.
"So this is a story that is still on the "long stick" as far as Montenegro is concerned, which will certainly take some time until it is resolved, if it is resolved at all in Montenegro itself," said Krapović.
He said that a military training ground should exist in Montenegro and that the preparation of members of the Army of Montenegro (AVCG) is necessary, especially in preparation for the missions and operations in which they will participate, but that nothing should be done by force.
Krapović recalled that members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro are currently training in North Macedonia and Albania, due to the lack of training grounds in Montenegro, and thanked neighboring countries for their great support.
Speaking about the potential increase in defense spending, Krapović said that he believes that at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, the Alliance's member states will commit to increasing defense spending, but that the percentages are still under discussion.
He recalled that the US administration insists on allocating five percent of gross domestic product (GDP), which, he said, can be accepted.
"That can be accepted, but I am sure that there will be a certain period of time to arrive at those figures. I am not sure that this can be the case next year. However, we will wait for the summit to see what the final decision will be," said Krapović, emphasizing that this is an issue that depends on the will of the 32 members.
When asked how much this increase would "cost" Montenegro on an annual basis and whether it would represent an excessive burden on the budget, Krapović explained that an increase of just one percent of GDP would mean allocating an additional 80 million euros for defense, and that the current budget of the Ministry of Defense is currently around 160 million.
"So if, hypothetically, it were necessary to allocate three percent of GDP next year, then 160 million euros should be allocated for defense, not 240 million, which is certainly very demanding for Montenegro," said Krapović.
As he pointed out, it is not only necessary to allocate that money and foresee in the budget two, three percent or whatever is decided at the summit, which Montenegro may accept, but it is also necessary to effectively implement it and have the full effect of spending that money.
"Therefore, this spending of money must be closely related and connected to the set goals and capabilities, in order to achieve them through these specific procurements, but certainly in accordance with some of our national needs," added Krapović.
Krapović emphasized that this money does not go to NATO, but is spent for the needs of the armed forces and defense system of Montenegro, in accordance with national needs and goals and capabilities set by the Alliance.
According to him, it is not enough for the Ministry of Defense to get involved and monitor this matter, but it is necessary to give it priority at the Government level.
"Modernization of the army is today in much greater momentum than at any time in history, at least since independence, so I would say that this is understood and we, in daily close communication with the Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister's office, the office of Vice President (Aleksa) Bečić, are trying to define these policies somewhere, to bring efficiency to the level that is necessary at this moment," Krapović said.
Responding to the question of whether they have a plan for how that money will be spent - whether on increasing the size of the army or additional investment in modernization and infrastructure, Krapović assessed that these two components are equally necessary and significant, and that the method of spending will depend on the capability goals that Montenegro, as a member state, receives from NATO.
He recalled that at the previous summit, in addition to the conclusion that two percent of GDP must be spent on defense, it was stipulated that each country must spend 20 percent of its money on the modernization of its armed forces, or the procurement of new equipment.
"I believe that we will receive a new package of capability goals this year for some period to come, and that will dominantly determine the way in which the army is modernized and equipped," said Krapović.
He pointed out that all efforts and investments in modernization will be useless if the defense system does not have people willing to dedicate themselves to that work, and added that it is necessary to improve the position of members of the armed forces in many segments, as well as the position of civil servants and employees in the Ministry of Defense.
Krapović said that the army's manning level is currently inadequate, and that he believes that this problem can be alleviated in the future.
He said that many larger European countries, not just Montenegro, have a big problem when it comes to filling formations, but that the Ministry of Defense is trying to attract young personnel by developing new digital tools and through a promotional campaign during which they present the military vocation in cities.
"There is a certain interest, we detect it. At the end of last year, we significantly raised salaries, especially for contract soldiers and non-commissioned officers, who are the largest in the Armed Forces of Montenegro, and to a lesser extent for officers, and we will continue to do so," said Krapović.
He said that the status of members of the armed forces must be raised, which, as he said, has collapsed in Montenegrin society in previous years.
"The lives of young people today take place on social networks, we must take a completely different approach and the army must once again find its place on the pedestal of Montenegrin society, in accordance with our glorious history and our bright and meaningful military tradition," said Krapović.
When it comes to the participation of members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro in peacekeeping missions, Krapović said that Montenegrin soldiers are present in a significant number of NATO, European Union and United Nations (UN) missions, and that in this way they raise the credibility of the armed forces in the eyes of partners and other states.
He recalled that decisions had been made earlier to include members of the Armed Forces of Montenegro in the UN mission in Cyprus.
"We are now looking for a partner with whom we could implement this decision. I sincerely hope and believe that it will be Great Britain," added Krapović.
As he stated, members of the Montenegrin armed forces will board ships, probably of the Albanian and Italian navies, in NATO's Operation Sea Guardian.
Krapović said that decisions have already been made at the Defense and Security Council regarding two missions, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the EU, which are training missions related to Ukraine on the territory of the members of the alliance and the Union, and that these decisions should be before the MPs very soon.
"So we will increase our participation in missions according to our capacities. Montenegro is a small country and simply will not be able to participate in a huge number of missions with too many soldiers, but given our size, we are making a truly significant contribution and carrying our share of the burden in that part of ensuring peace and prosperity in the world and, accordingly, we enjoy a certain credibility as a country and as an army," said Krapović.
When asked whether the Ministry of Defense is considering developing the military industry and launching some production capacities that exist in Montenegro, Krapović said that improving the so-called special-purpose industry is a development opportunity for a significant part of Montenegro, primarily the north.
He pointed out that Montenegro has several factories whose main activity is the production of weapons and military equipment, mainly in the north, and that he was satisfied with what he saw during his visits to the TARA Aerospace factories in Mojkovac and Poliex in Berane.
Krapović added that they are discussing with partners from the United States of America (USA) the topic of starting certain production in Montenegro, possibly helping existing private factories, but possibly also in the perspective of starting a state defense industry.
"These are all things that are currently being evaluated and considered by the Ministry of Defense. Of course, this does not depend on the Ministry, I expect that we will first receive a new legal framework when it comes to the production and trade of weapons and dual-use goods, and I believe that this bill will soon be before the deputies in the Parliament. This is a starting point that would define the ways and possibilities for the state to participate in this work," said Krapović.
He reiterated that there is a willingness on the part of the Ministry of Defense, as well as the willingness of strategic partners, primarily from the USA, to assist with investments through certain funds.
"We are truly dedicated and focused on improving the situation when it comes to the defense industry, primarily because it can be a really good development opportunity for Montenegro," said Krapović.
Speaking about Montenegro's bilateral consultations with Croatia on open issues, Krapović said that consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries are ongoing, and that the positions of the Ministry of Defense on the ownership of the training ship "Jadran" have not changed.
"I believe that the training ship "Jadran" is legally and legitimately owned by Montenegro, and in that regard, we have given appropriate instructions and guidelines to our colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Krapović said.
As he said, all previous governments and all previous majorities in Montenegro were against the change of ownership in the Adriatic, and that is nothing new.
Krapović stated that in a civilized, friendly and cultural dialogue, all issues can be put on the table and discussed.
"I don't see any possibility that the Jadran ship will change ownership, at least not while I am at the head of the Ministry of Defense," said Krapović.
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