Montenegro

Commitment from the government of Montenegro and Donors for MONDEM remains strong: more obsolete weapons and surplus ammunition to be destroyed

The Project Documents signed within the Montenegro Demilitarization Programme (MONDEM) refer to the following projects:

Destruction and Recycling of Heavy Weapons
Montenegro has a relatively small number of heavy weapons systems inherited from the State Union. Yet they are an obstacle to defence reform and armed forces restructuring; in effect they are an obsolete financial and security liability. The presence of these systems necessarily requires significant numbers of soldiers to operate, maintain and secure them; hence there is a requirement for retaining additional conscript forces. This project is designed to destroy these heavy weapons systems by recycling in a manner that complies with all relevant EU environmental legislation, and hence to international ‘best practice’. Dectruction of 61 tanks resulted in revenues of € 407.289,40. This amount will be used for Demilitarization of Conventional Ammunition.                                                                                      

SALW (Conventional Ammunition) Demilitarization

Montenegro has a significant stockpile of over 9,900 tonnes of surplus conventional ammunition that requires destruction, disposal or demilitarization. The situation can be resolved in the near to medium future. This project is designed to dispose of conventional ammunition in a safe, efficient and effective way that complies, wherever achievable, with all relevant international and EU environmental and safety legislation, and hence to existing international ‘best practice’. The generous donation of GBP 250 000.00 from the Government of the United Kingdom and the donation of the Government of Montenegro will ensure timely start to this important project.

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Thanking all of the partners in realisation of the MONDEM Programme, Minister of Defence of Montenegro, Mr. Boro Vučinić stated that the representatives of the UNDP and the OSCE in Montenegro have shown through their constructive cooperation that it is possible to successfully collaborate with the state institutions on desposing of surplus heavy weapons and ammunition.

He said that the Ministry of Defence has marked demilitarization of conventional ammunition and the establishment of safe storage as one of the priorities of the country’s defence reform process. «Therefore, the Ministry of Defence as the Programme holder will continue to actively participate in the realisation of MONDEM through selling of metal waste,» stated Minister Vučinić.

 

Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, H.E. Mr Kevin Lyne said that, considering that the surplus ammunition is stored on ten locations all over the country, the Great Britain will provide special vehicles for transfer of the weapons from those places to the ones where they will be destroyed. “Destruction of ammunition will result in a more favourable environment as it will make your beautiful country even more safer,” said Ambassador Lyne.

 

 

 

Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu said that the MONDEM Programme represents a significant contribution to the reform of the Ministry of Defence. “This process will not only contribute to the defence system reform in Montenegro but also to the security in the entire region,” Ambassador Badescu emphasized.

 

 

 

 

UNDP Resident Representative a.i./UN Interagency Focal Point in Montenegro, Mr. Garret Tankosić Kelly said that the implementation of MONDEM was never envisaged to be an easy task. “When we launched MONDEM in July 2007 by destroying 61 Tanks T-55, we applauded the Government of Montenegro for that gesture of peace and reconciliation. Today, UNDP is proud and grateful to receive the proceeds of the sale of the demilitarized tanks. And, the support and financial commitment of partners and donors would be essential for the implementation of this large and complex project,” said Mr. Tankosić Kelly.

 

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The entire MONDEM programme is worth some 6.5 million US dollars.

With generous contributions from the Government of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Defence, MONDEM managed to mobilize over 3 million (over 50% of the entire amount). It is now in the position to begin the enormous task of disposing of the approximately 9,900 tonnes of surplus ammunition while ensuring maximum protection of the population, property and, equally important, the environment. An added benefit is the denial of ammunition  to those criminal and terrorist elements that would disrupt the peace and stability that Montenegro enjoys today.