The Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defense adopted by a majority vote a draft decision to propose to the parliament to adopt a decision on the deployment of members of the Army of Montenegro (AVCG) to NATO activities providing security assistance and training for Ukraine (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine - NSATU).
Democratic People's Party (DNP) MP Vladislav Bojović was against, and Socialist People's Party (SNP) representative Slađana Kaluđerović abstained.
The committee session was attended by the Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, Brigadier General Miodrag Vuksanović.
Krapović said that it is sufficient to deploy two soldiers for this mission, adding that the adoption of this proposal would confirm Montenegro's status as a credible and reliable member of NATO.
He said that it is important that Montenegrin soldiers will not be outside NATO territory, and that they will be in Germany.
"When it comes to political and, in terms of the public, very sensitive matters, I appeal to the media to report accurately and precisely on the decisions that are made," said Krapović.
He suggested to the committee that they submit a proposal to parliament to send two soldiers to this mission.
Bojović said that the DNP is "explicitly against" and will not support sending troops to Ukraine in any format.
"This is contrary to the libertarian tradition and history of Montenegro. In addition, this further undermines our relations with Russia, which was a historical ally of Montenegro in the most difficult times.... So far, no Montenegrin has been sent to war against Russia, if such a decision is made, I think it will be a historical shame for Montenegro," he said.
Krapović responded that he thought he was "perfectly precise" about the core of the mission.
"There is no talk of sending troops to Ukraine," he said.
Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Nikola Janović said that the question is rightly being asked - to what extent is the ruling majority a reliable partner for Montenegro's strategic goals?
"Where are you trying to justify yourself to your electorate on points like these... It was never said that our soldiers would participate in any war operations, which is why I don't understand the Minister of Defense's justification on that issue," he pointed out.
Janović's party colleague Oskar Huter noted that it is important to recall that DPS introduced Montenegro into NATO in 2017.
"We are glad that those who were against it, 90 percent of the current parliamentary majority, are in other positions today. Has the government changed its view, it probably has. It is good that it is so, even if the government changed its opinion about what is good for Montenegro," he said.
He asked what specifically the Montenegrin soldiers would do in the mission.
"I received an explanation from the staff elements, the command, 700 people, and ours will support and will not participate in the training. What will our people do there? Are they going there to salute? I understand that, like the others in that mission, they will have their own tasks and make a contribution, that we are not sending these people if they are not going to do anything there. If they are going to help prevent Russia's aggression against Ukraine, I salute them. If they are going there on a trip - that is not fair for these people. Are we ashamed that they are going there? I am not ashamed. I want Montenegro to provide assistance to Ukraine, which is suffering so much from aggression," said Huter.
Krapović responded that for this mission to function, there must be some staff personnel who will provide administrative, logistical or other support.
"We have several NATO missions. For example: increased presence when it comes to Latvia or Bulgaria. It is a mission that includes patrolling and various other types of things, specialties, etc. We do not run away from that, no matter who hides it. This Committee in which you are and work must work, have some kind of administrative and logical support so that you can perform your function... Also, for that mission to function, there must be some staff personnel who will provide that kind of administrative, logistical or other support. These are the positions that we are applying for and which have remained unfilled. That is a fact, I cannot turn it into a combat mission and say 'yes, they are going to war', that is simply not the case," he said.
On June 12, the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Decision on the deployment of members of the Montenegrin Army to the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine.
49 MPs voted "in favor", while three abstained.
Representatives of the Democratic People's Party (three out of four) abstained, while the "in favor" were representatives of the Europe Now Movement (18 out of 20), New Serbian Democracy (six out of nine), Democrats (all seven), Bosniak Party (five out of six), Socialist People's Party (one out of two), MP from the Citizens' Alliance "CIVIS" Maja Vučelić, Albanian Forum (one out of two), Democratic Party of Socialists (five out of 17), Social Democrats (all three), as well as Croatian Civic Initiative MP Adriajn Vukanović and independent MP Radinka Ćinćur.
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