View source for Montenegro–NATO relations

{{Short description|Bilateral relations}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Politics of Montenegro}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations|Montenegro–NATO|NATO|Montenegro|map=Montenegro NATO Locator Lambert.svg|size=350px}}
[[Image:Nato5.png|thumb|306px|Logo of Accession of Montenegro to NATO.]]
The '''accession of Montenegro to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization''', or [[NATO]], took place on 5 June 2017.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.mk//articles/43533/Montenegro+to+Formally+Join+NATO+on+June+|title=Montenegro to Formally Join NATO on June 5 – Independent.mk|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> In December 2009, [[Montenegro]] was granted a [[Membership Action Plan]], the final step in an application for membership in the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pcnen.com/detail.php?module=15&news_id=869|title=PCNEN – Prve crnogorske elektronske novine|website=pcnen.com|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> A formal invitation was issued by the alliance on 2 December 2015,<ref name="autogenerated1">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34981973 Montenegro invited to join Nato], BBC, 2 December 2015, Retrieved 2 December 2015.</ref> with accession negotiations concluded with the signature by the Foreign Ministers of an Accession Protocol on 19 May 2016.<ref name=sign2>{{cite web|url=http://derstandard.at/2000034771967/Montenegro-Unterzeichnung-des-Protokolls-zum-Nato-Beitritt-im-Mai|title=Montenegro: Protokoll zu Nato-Beitritt wird im Mai unterzeichnet|date=13 April 2016|access-date=2016-04-13|newspaper=[[Der Standard]]}}</ref> Montenegro officially joined [[NATO]] on 5 June 2017.
== Background ==
The [[Serbia and Montenegro|State Union of Serbia and Montenegro]] applied to [[NATO]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]] (PfP) program in June 2003.<ref>{{cite journal |url= http://www.nato.int/docu/review/2004/issue4/english/art3_pr.html |title= Staying the course |first1= Robert |last1= Serry |first2= Christopher |last2= Bennett |journal= NATO Review |publisher= NATO |date=Winter 2004 |access-date= 10 February 2015}}</ref><ref>Jelena Dzankic, ''Montenegrin NATO Membership Aspirations After the Referendum on Independence''</ref> [[Montenegro]] declared independence on 3 June 2006 and soon after opened a Permanent Mission to NATO in [[Brussels]].<ref>[http://www.gov.me/eng/mininos/vijesti.php?akcija=rubrika&rubrika=16 Montenegro's Missions in the World] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316155431/http://www.gov.me/eng/mininos/vijesti.php?akcija=rubrika&rubrika=16 |date=16 March 2009 }}</ref> The new country subsequently joined PfP at the [[2006 Riga summit]]. In November 2007, Montenegro signed a transit agreement with NATO, allowing the alliance's troops to move across the country.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/27/content_7150443.htm |title= Montenegro, NATO sign transit arrangement |work= Xinhua |publisher= ChinaView |date= 27 November 2007 |access-date= 2008-09-20 |last= Mu |first= Xuequan |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080614172501/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/27/content_7150443.htm |archive-date= 14 June 2008 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> Montenegro then signed an agreement with the United States, in which Montenegro would destroy its outdated weaponry as a precondition for NATO membership.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1144007.html |title=U.S. Funds Montenegrin Arms Reduction |work= Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date= 5 December 2007 |access-date= 5 June 2015}}</ref> In late 2007, Montenegro's Defense Minister [[Boro Vučinić]] said that Montenegro would intensify its accession to the alliance after the [[2008 Bucharest summit]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=12&dd=26&nav_id=46475 |title= Montenegro moving towards NATO membership |work= B92 |date= 26 December 2007 |access-date= 2008-09-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080508000517/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=12&dd=26&nav_id=46475 |archive-date= 8 May 2008 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref> Montenegro entered Intensified Dialogue with NATO in April 2008, and adopted an [[Individual Partnership Action Plan]] in June 2008.<ref name=cgipap>{{cite news |url= http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2008/06-june/e0624a.html |title= NATO launches Intensified Dialogue with Montenegro |work= NATO News |date= 24 June 2008 |access-date= 9 February 2015}}</ref> It was invited to join the [[Adriatic Charter]] of NATO aspirants on 25 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-montenegro/index.html |title= NATO's relations with Montenegro |work= [[NATO]] |date= 3 July 2008 |access-date= 2008-09-20| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080910090121/http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-montenegro/index.html| archive-date= 10 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=adriatic>{{cite news |url= http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/09/26/nb-05 |title= BiH, Montenegro invited to join Adriatic Charter of NATO aspirants |date= 26 September 2008 |work= Southeast European Times |first= Dnevni |last= Avaz |access-date= 2008-10-07}}</ref> The country then applied for a Membership Action Plan on 5 November 2008 with support of Prime Minister [[Milo Đukanović]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/60927/montenegro-hands-over-application-for-nato-s-map.html|title=Montenegro Hands over Application for NATO's MAP|date=6 November 2008|access-date=9 February 2015|work=Turkish Weekly|agency=MIA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209180451/http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/60927/montenegro-hands-over-application-for-nato-s-map.html|archive-date=9 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> which was granted in December 2009.<ref name="rttnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1148255|title=Montenegro Joins NATO Membership Action Plan|date=4 December 2009|access-date=4 December 2009}}</ref> Montenegro also began full membership with the Adriatic Charter of NATO aspirants in May 2009.<ref name="montenegro-timeline">{{cite web |url= http://www.mvpei.gov.me/en/sections/NATO/Development-of-relations-between-Montenegro-and-NA/ |title= Development of relations between Montenegro and NATO – key dates |work= Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration |year= 2013 |access-date= 5 June 2015 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20160316070917/http://www.mvpei.gov.me/en/sections/NATO/Development-of-relations-between-Montenegro-and-NA/ |archive-date= 16 March 2016 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="nato-montenegro">{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49736.htm|title=NATO's relations with Montenegro|date=19 November 2014|access-date=9 February 2015|publisher=[[NATO]]}}</ref>
Montenegro began to contribute its [[Military of Montenegro|national armed forces]] to NATO foreign military operations.<ref name=EUCOM>{{cite web|url=http://www.eucom.mil/mission/the-region/montenegro |title=Montenegro – Overview |publisher=United States European Command EUCOM |access-date=10 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231149/http://www.eucom.mil/mission/the-region/montenegro |archive-date=12 May 2014 }}</ref> The country deployed 40 soldiers, a three-member military medical team, and two officers under German command to [[Afghanistan]] in 2010. Montenegrin peacekeepers were also deployed to [[Liberia]] and [[Somalia]].<ref>http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/features/setimes/features/2009/07/30/featue-02</ref>
Montenegro has received support for its membership bid from several NATO countries, including [[Romania]], [[Turkey]], Germany and the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/world/romanian-president-says-his-country-wants-albania--28141.html|title=Romanian president says his country wants Albania, Macedonia, and Croatia in NATO|work=Kyiv Post|date=14 January 2008|access-date=9 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=97245&NrIssue=554&NrSection=10 |title=Romania wants Macedonia, Albania and Croatia to join NATO |work=MakFax |date=11 January 2008 |access-date=2008-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506155426/http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=97245&NrIssue=554&NrSection=10 |archive-date=6 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=132010 |title= Ankara lends support to Montenegro's bids for membership in NATO, EU |work= [[Today's Zaman]] |date= 19 January 2008 |access-date= 2008-09-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080619085119/http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=132010 |archive-date = 19 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.natomontenegro.me/en/News/94795/Berlin-Germany-supports-Montenegro-s-further-progress-in-EU-and-NATO-integration.html |title= Berlin: Germany supports Montenegro's further progress in EU and NATO integration |work= Natomontenegro.me (source: Government of Montenegro) |date= 3 April 2014 |access-date= 2014-05-19 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140519131659/http://www.natomontenegro.me/en/News/94795/Berlin-Germany-supports-Montenegro-s-further-progress-in-EU-and-NATO-integration.html |archive-date= 19 May 2014 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.neurope.eu/article/us-support-montenegro%E2%80%99s-membership-nato |title= US to support Montenegro's membership in NATO |work= Neurope.eu |date= 13 April 2014 |access-date= 2010-05-19}}</ref>
In December 2013, ''[[Dnevne Novine]]'' reported that NATO had decided that Montenegro would join NATO at the same time as [[Accession of Macedonia to NATO|Macedonia]], whose membership has been vetoed by Greece over the [[Macedonia naming dispute]], making accession unlikely in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n321450|title=Montenegro to enter NATO together with Macedonia: Vecer|date=17 December 2013|access-date=2013-12-17}}</ref>
In March 2014, Montenegrin Prime Minister [[Milo Đukanović]] stated the desire for Montenegro to join NATO,<ref name=Janes>{{cite news|last=Tigner|first=Brooks|title=Ukraine crisis won't halt NATO expansion|url=http://www.janes.com/article/35969/ukraine-crisis-won-t-halt-nato-expansion|access-date=28 March 2014|newspaper=Jane's Defence Weekly|date=25 March 2014}}</ref> and in May 2014 expressed the hopes an invitation to join the organization will be favoured at the 2014 [[summit|NATO summit]] in September.  Russian MP [[Mikhail Degtyarev]] of the nationalist [[LDPR (political party)|LDPR]] warned that NATO membership would make Montenegro "a legitimate target of Russian missiles."<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url= https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304908304579565822601213520 |title= Montenegro Seeks Security With NATO Membership |first= Leos |last= Rousek |work= The Wall Street Journal |date= 16 May 2014 |access-date= 17 May 2014}}</ref>
On 29 May 2014, the Slovenian (Karel Erjavec & Roman Jakič) and Croatian (Vesna Pusić & Ante Kotromanović) foreign and defense ministers sent a letter to the [[Secretary General of NATO]], stressing the importance of inviting Montenegro into NATO. The Slovene defense minister also stated that he expects Montenegro to receive a NATO invitation during NATO's 2014 Summit in Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/slovenia-and-croatia-pushing-for-montenegro-s-nato-membership |title=Slovenia and Croatia Pushing for Montenegro's NATO Membership |date=7 June 2014 |access-date=7 June 2014 |work=The Slovenia Times}}</ref> However, later that year NATO announced that it would not be offering any new countries membership into the organization that year. Analysts confirmed this as a sign that NATO members are becoming skeptical about further Eastern expansion following [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russia's annexation of Crimea]], due to worries about Russian retaliation to new security guarantees to countries so close to its borders.<ref name="Fox news">{{cite web|title=NATO rules out admitting new members anytime soon|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/nato-rules-out-admitting-new-members-anytime-soon/|website=Fox news|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>
In June 2014, then [[Secretary General of NATO|NATO secretary-general]] [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] suggested that NATO would open "intensified talks" with the aim of inviting Montenegro to join the alliance by the end of 2015,<ref name="georgia-2014">{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nato-enlargement-idUSKBN0F00IJ20140625 |title= NATO will not offer Georgia membership step, avoiding Russia clash |first= Adrian |last= Croft |work= Reuters |date= 25 June 2014 |access-date= 25 June 2014}}</ref> but that Montenegro would not get an invitation to join the NATO summit in September. Further assessment of Montenegro's progress was expected by the end of 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/nato-rejects-montenegro-membership-in-2014 |title=NATO Rejects Montenegro Membership in 2014 |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=25 June 2014 |work=Balkan Insight}}</ref>
[[File:Na uradnem obisku v Sloveniji ministrica za obrambo Črne gore dr. Milica Pejanović-Đurišić 05.jpg|Minister of Defence [[Milica Pejanović-Đurišić]] visited [[Slovenia]] in December 2015 to discuss Montenegro's invitation to join NATO.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://english.sta.si/2210833/slovenia-to-continue-helping-montenegro-in-nato-accession |title= Slovenia to continue helping Montenegro in NATO accession |agency= [[Slovenska tiskovna agencija]] |date= 15 December 2015 |access-date= 16 December 2015}}</ref>|thumb|alt=Two women in western attire walk outdoors on a red carpet along a line of soldiers in formal uniforms with rifles.]]
A formal invitation was issued by the alliance on 2 December 2015.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="reuters1">{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nato-montenegro-idUSKBN0TL0J620151202 |title= NATO invites Montenegro to join alliance, defying Russia |first1= Robin |last1= Emmott |first2= Sabine |last2= Siebold |work= Reuters |date= 2 December 2015 |access-date= 2 December 2015}}</ref> Final accession talks began in February 2016,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35563081 |title= Montenegro and Nato: Foes to friends? |first= Guy |last= Delauney |work= BBC News |date= 15 February 2016 |access-date= 15 February 2016}}</ref> and concluded in May, allowing Montenegro to take an "observer" status pending ratification by the governments of the other members, as well as by Montenegro's own parliament.<ref name=sign>{{cite news |url= http://bigstory.ap.org/article/38063cc67c91471386d8a1769afb07f3 |title=  NATO formally invites Montenegro as 29th member |agency= Associated Press |first1= John-Thor |last1=Dahlburg |first2= Matthew |last2= Lee |date= 19 May 2016 |access-date= 19 May 2016}}</ref>
Pro-Russian opposition parties argued that a referendum on NATO membership should be held simultaneously to [[2016 Montenegrin parliamentary election|parliamentary elections in October 2016]], though the government suggested that the elections were a de facto plebiscite on the issue.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/us-senate-panel-likely-to-back-montenegro-s-nato-bid-09-14-2016 |title= US Senators Set to Back Montenegro's NATO Bid |first= Dusica |last= Tomovic |work= Balkin Insight |date= 14 September 2016 |access-date= 14 September 2016}}</ref> Pro-NATO parties advanced in the election result.
The [[United States Senate]] voted on the Resolution of Ratification (Resolution of Advice and Consent to Ratification (Treaty Doc. 114-12)) on 28 March 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00098|title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress – 1st Session|work=[[United States Senate]]|publisher=[[Federal government of the United States]]|agency=[[Government Printing Office]]|location=Washington, D.C.|date=28 March 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref> [[United States President|President]] [[Donald Trump]] signed a [[presidential memorandum]] on 11 April 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Office of the Press Secretary|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/11/letter-president-president-senate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411174903/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/11/letter-president-president-senate|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2017|title=Presidential Memorandum on a Letter from the President to the President of the Senate|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|publisher=[[White House]]|location=Washington, D.C.|language=en|date=11 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017|author1-link=White House Office of the Press Secretary}}</ref> Ratification by each member state was completed with Spain's ratification on 10 May. On 28 April 2017 Montenegro's parliament ratified the accession treaty.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/28/montenegro-ratifies-nato-membership-in-historic-shift-to-western-alliance |title= Montenegro ratifies Nato membership in historic shift to western alliance |work= Associated Press in Cetinje |date= 28 April 2017 |access-date= 7 May 2017}}</ref> Montenegro officially joined NATO as a member state on 5 June 2017.<ref name="auto"/>
The reaction of the Russian government to Montenegro's bid to join NATO had been increasingly hostile<ref>[https://www.svoboda.org/a/28516064.html Конец операции "Черногория"] Radio Liberty, 29 May 2017.</ref> culminating in an [[Montenegrin coup d'état attempt|attempt to stage a coup d'état]] on 16 October 2016, on the day of the [[2016 Montenegrin parliamentary election|parliamentary election]] that allegedly would have included assassination of Montenegro's prime minister [[Milo Đukanović]], according to the statements made by Montenegrin officials.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/tema.php?yyyy=2016&mm=10&nav_id=1193328|title=Slučaj "državni udar" i Đukanovićev "stari recept"}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/06/montenegro-prosecutor-milivoje-katnic-russian-nationalists-behind-alleged-coup-plot|title=Montenegrin prosecutor says Russian nationalists behind alleged coup plot}}</ref> The coup plot involved Russian nationals, including a Russian military intelligence officer previously expelled from Poland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Farmer|first1=Ben|title=Reconstruction: The full incredible story behind Russia's deadly plot to stop Montenegro embracing the West|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/18/reconstruction-full-incredible-story-behind-russias-deadly-plot/|access-date=2 June 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=18 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kremlin rejects claims Russia had role in Montenegro coup plot|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/20/russian-state-bodies-attempted-a-coup-in-montenegro-says-prosecutor|access-date=21 February 2017|work=The Guardian|date=20 February 2017}}</ref><ref>[https://time.com/4673038/dusko-markovic-montenegro-russia-nato/ Q&A: Duško Marković, the Prime Minister Stuck Between Putin and Trump in the Balkans] [[Time (magazine)|Time]], 16 February 2017.</ref> Tensions between the countries went on unabated thereafter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Montenegro protests after senior politician held while changing planes at a Moscow airport|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/29/montenegro-protests-senior-politician-held-changing-planes-moscow/|access-date=2 June 2017|work=AP|date=29 May 2017}}</ref>
==Opinion polls==
{|class="wikitable collapsible" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; line-height:14px;"
|- style="height:42px;"
! style="width:140px;" rowspan="2"| Date
! style="width:150px;" rowspan="2"| Polling Firm/Source
! style="width:150px;"| For NATO membership
! style="width:150px;"| Against NATO membership
! style="width:25px;" rowspan="2"| Lead
|-
! style="color:inherit;background:#000066;"|
! style="color:inherit;background:#660000;"|
|-
| 6–12 October 2017
| [http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/montenegro_ppt.pdf CISR/IRI]
| 43
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''51'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 8.0
|-
| June 2017
| [http://www.cedem.me/images/jDownloads_new/Program%20Empirijska%20istazivanja/Politicko%20javno%20mnjenje/CEDEM_june_2017_istrazivanje.pdf CEDEM]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''54.2'''
| 45.8
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 10.0
|-
| Dec 2016
| [http://www.cedem.me/images/jDownloads_new/Program%20Empirijska%20istazivanja/Politicko%20javno%20mnjenje/CEDEM_decembar_2016_istrazivanje.pdf CEDEM]
| 49.88
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''50.12'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 0.2
|-
| 26 June 2016
| [http://www.cdm.me/politika/damar-za-nato-461-odsto-gradana-crne-gore DAMAR]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''54.2'''
| 45.8
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 8.4
|-
| 24 June 2016
| [http://volimpodgoricu.me/2016/06/24/cedem-dps-uziva-najvise-povjerenja-505-odsto-gradana-za-ulazak-cg-u-nato/ CEDEM]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''50.5'''
| 49.5
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 1
|-
| 28 May-5 Jun 2016
| [http://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/istrazivanje-nspm-dps-ni-30-opozicija-zajedno-preko-38-893528 NSPM]
| 39.9
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''60.1'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 20.2
|-
| 16–20 May 2016
| [http://www.cdm.me/politika/damar-775-odsto-gradana-smatra-da-ce-crna-gora-postati-clanica-nato-a DAMAR]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''54.6'''
| 45.4
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 9.2
|-
| 22 February 2016
| [http://www.cdm.me/politika/damar-469-odsto-gradana-za-nato-dps-daleko-ispred-svih-partija-sa-409-procenata-podrske DAMAR]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''55.6'''
| 44.4
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 11
|-
| Feb 2016
| [http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/27573282.html Ipsos]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''50.5'''
| 49.5
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 1
|-
| Nov 2015
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 49.8
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''50.2'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 0.4
|-
| 8–16 Oct 2015
| [http://www.cdm.me/politika/ipsos-za-uclanjenje-u-nato-56-odsto-gradana Ipsos]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''56'''
| 44
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 10
|-
| 11–18 Sep 2015
| [http://www.cdm.me/politika/istrazivanje-ipsosa-za-nato-52-odsto-gradana Ipsos]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''52'''
| 48
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 4
|-
| 28 July 2015
| [http://mondo.me/a459526/Info/Crna-Gora/CEDEM-Jednak-broj-gradjana-za-i-protiv-NATO.html CEDEM]
| 49.5
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''50.5'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 1
|-
| 8–14 Jun 2015
| [http://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/za-crnu-goru-u-nato-70000-gradana-vise-nego-u-februaru-ove-godine-839495 DAMAR]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''51.2'''
| 48.8
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 2.4
|-
| 4–11 Jun 2015
| [http://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/za-crnu-goru-u-nato-70000-gradana-vise-nego-u-februaru-ove-godine-839495 Ipsos]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''53.4'''
| 46.6
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 6.8
|-
| Oct 2014
| [http://www.natomontenegro.me/naslovna/clanak?artId=95186&sntArticleCategoryPageId=6111 CEDEM]
| 43.75
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''56.25'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 12.5
|-
| Mar 2014
| [http://www.natomontenegro.me/naslovna/clanak?artId=95186&sntArticleCategoryPageId=6111 Ipsos]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''52.2'''
| 47.8
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 4.4
|-
| 11 August 2013
| [http://www.vijesti.me/tv/podrska-ulasku-crne-gore-u-nato-raste-143858 Ipsos]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''50.6'''
| 49.4
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 1.2
|-
| Mar 2013
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 37.3
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''62.7'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 25.4
|-
| Sep 2012
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 49
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''51'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 2
|-
| July 2012
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 46.8
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''53.2'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 6.4
|-
| Dec 2011
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| style="background:#668cff"|'''51.5'''
| 48.5
| style="background:#000066; color:white;"| 3
|-
| Sep 2011
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 43.9
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''56.1'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 12.2
|-
| Oct 2010
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 45.1
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''54.9'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 9.8
|-
| Oct 2009
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 41.5
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''58.5'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 17
|-
| 24 June 2009
| [http://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/gradani-crne-gore-za-referendum-o-ulasku-u-nato/nkmbs40 CEDEM]
| 40.92
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''59.08'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 18.16
|-
| Nov 2008
| [http://www.cedem.me/programi/istrazivanja/politicko-javno-mnjenje/send/29-politicko-javno-mnjenje/1818-politicko-javno-mnjenje-jun-2016 CEDEM]
| 36.45
| style="background:#ff4d4d"|'''63.55'''
| style="background:#660000; color:white;"| 27.1
|-
|}
According to a government poll in March 2014, 46 percent of Montenegro's populace supported NATO membership, while 42 percent opposed it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.me/en/News/137091/46-of-citizens-support-montenegro-s-NATO-accession.html|title=Public opinion on NATO membership in Montenegro|publisher=NATO Membership Council's Communication Team in Montenegro|date=29 March 2014|access-date=10 May 2014}}</ref> A poll in July 2015 from the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, which receives financial support from NATO, found that 36.6 percent support membership, to 37.3 percent against, with sharp divisions between ethnic groups: 71.2 percent of [[Albanians in Montenegro|Montenegrin Albanians]] and 68 percent of [[Bosniaks of Montenegro|Montenegrin Bosniaks]] support membership, while only 11.3 percent of [[Serbs of Montenegro|Montenegrin Serbs]] do.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://pasos.org/14519/cedem-poll-montenegrins-split-over-issue-of-nato-membership/ |title= CEDEM poll: Montenegrins split over issue of NATO membership |date= 31 July 2015 |work= Policy Association for an Open Society |access-date= 2 December 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151208150551/http://pasos.org/14519/cedem-poll-montenegrins-split-over-issue-of-nato-membership/ |archive-date= 8 December 2015 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref> Russian MP Mikhail Degtyarev of the Nationalist [[LDPR (political party)|LDPR]] threatened in May 2014 that NATO membership would make Montenegro "a legitimate target of Russian missiles."<ref name="auto1"/>
==Political views==
The ruling [[Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro]] and [[Social Democratic Party of Montenegro]] maintain a strong desire for Montenegro to become a NATO member state. In early 2009 they launched a two-year campaign with the aim of promoting accession to NATO, which is handled by the MAPA media agency under theatrical director [[Radmila Vojvodić]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naslovi.net/2009-01-09/e-novine/kampanjom-za-vecu-podrsku-uclanjenju-u-nato/990176 |title=Kampanjom Za Veću Podršku Učlanjenju U Nato – E-Novine |publisher=Naslovi.net |access-date=2016-05-19}}</ref> The ruling coalition of PM [[Milo Đukanović]] claims Montenegro cannot afford to remain neutral and identifies NATO and the EU as a common process of Euro-Atlantic integrations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pobjeda.co.me/citanje.php?datum%3D2009-01-11%26id%3D156376 |title=Volja građana i za NATO referendum :: Dnevni list Pobjeda |access-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007064200/http://www.pobjeda.co.me/citanje.php?datum=2009-01-11&id=156376 |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}</ref> According to a demographic breakdown of polling, citizens of pro-Serbian or pro-Russian political orientation, Eastern Orthodox Christian conservatives, women and the undereducated are the main groups that do not support NATO membership. The campaign has been somewhat successful, but received criticism from the Nansen Dialogue Centre for significant financial investment in a biased and propagandist campaign during a recession.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in4s.net/index.php?view=article&catid=58%3Acg&id=2530%3Avlast-i-propagatori-horski-veliaju-nato&option=com_content&Itemid=181 |title=Vijesti Crna Gora &#124; Srbija &#124; Srpska &#124; Rusija &#124; Hronika &#124; Politika |publisher=In4s.net |date=3 May 2016 |access-date=2016-05-19}}</ref> As a direct response, the establishment of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Serb National List|sr|3=Српска национална листа}} group launched the "No to NATO!" campaign, on a much smaller scale.<ref>http://www.in4s.net/crna-gora/58-cg/6510-in4s-poeo-kampanju-ne-u-nato {{dead link|date=May 2016}}</ref>
The memory of NATO's [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|1999 bombing campaign]] of the then [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] and resulting civilian casualties form a crucial part of the opposition to NATO membership in Montenegro.
The leading opposition political party, the [[Socialist People's Party of Montenegro]], has remained ambiguous on the question of NATO membership. Although strong supporters of European integration, they maintain that EU and NATO integrations are completely separate paths and endorse holding a referendum. SNP CG has generally avoided giving a direct answer, but it is indirectly opposed to NATO membership.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The [[New Serb Democracy]] is an outspoken opponent of NATO membership, supporting a referendum and convinced there would be a negative outcome.<ref>{{cite news|author=Predrag Tomović |url=http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/nato__crna__gora/1895486.html |title=Crna Gora neće gubiti vrijeme |newspaper=Radio Slobodna Evropa |publisher=Slobodnaevropa.org |date=4 December 2009 |access-date=2016-05-19}}</ref> The [[Movement for Changes]] is completely neutral and supports holding a referendum, and acknowledging its result.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://promjene.org/saopstenja-za-javnost/pzp-trazi-da-se-izjasni-narod.html |title=PZP traži da se izjasni narod - Pokret za Promjene |access-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727190208/http://promjene.org/saopstenja-za-javnost/pzp-trazi-da-se-izjasni-narod.html |archive-date=27 July 2011 }}</ref> According to [[Strategic Marketing]]'s poll on the question as to whether to schedule a referendum, 72% of respondents support holding it. CATI's poll from 11–15 December 2009 on the question of its result yielded the following: 44% would vote against it, 40% would vote in favor, while 8% is unsure.  According to a poll released in October 2009, 31.2% of Montenegro's populace supported NATO membership, while 44% opposed it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cedem.me/fajlovi/editor_fajlovi/istrazivanja/CEDEM_oktobar09.pdf|title=Political Public Opinion in Montenegro|work=Foundation Open Society Institute|date=October 2009|access-date=22 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722171733/http://www.cedem.me/fajlovi/editor_fajlovi/istrazivanja/CEDEM_oktobar09.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A poll by [[Ipsos]] in March 2014 found that 46% supported membership versus 42% who were opposed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.me/en/News/137091/46-of-citizens-support-montenegro-s-NATO-accession.html|title=NATO Membership Council's Communication Team: 46% of citizens support Montenegro's accession to NATO|date=29 March 2014|access-date=2014-04-04|publisher=Government of Montenegro}}</ref> A December 2015 poll found support at 47%, opposition at 39%, with the remaining 14% undecided.<ref name=onlinevote>{{cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/montenegrins-vote-online-to-keep-military-neutrality-04-12-2016|title=Montenegrins Vote Online to Stay out of NATO|date=13 April 2016|access-date=2016-04-13|publisher=[[Balkan Insight]]}}</ref>
Opposition parties, including [[Socialist People's Party of Montenegro]], have argued that membership should be approved in a national referendum.<ref name=onlinevote/> [[2015–16 Montenegrin crisis|A political crisis followed]] the government's announcement of intention to join NATO; large protests, supported by pro-Serbian parties, were held in [[Podgorica]] in mid-October 2015 that culminated in a riot in the capital on 24 October.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}  Đukanović accused Serbia and Russia of supporting.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Pro-Russian Parties Seek To Derail Montenegro's NATO Bid|url = http://www.rferl.org/content/montenegro-opposition-protests-nato-bid/27395329.html|newspaper = RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date = 28 November 2015|access-date = 2015-12-26|language = en|first = Charles|last = Recknagel}}</ref>
A split in the ruling coalition followed in January 2016.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}
NATO membership was an issue of debate during the [[2016 Montenegrin parliamentary election|October 2016 parliamentary election]]. The Democratic Party of Socialists, which had governed Montenegro since 1991 and supports membership, won the election with 41% of the popular vote.
==Ratification timeline==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="text-align:left;" |<big>Event</big>
! Date
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''[[Partnership for Peace]]'''
|| 2006-12-14
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''[[Individual Partnership Action Plan]]'''
|| 2008-06-20
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''[[Intensified Dialogue]]'''
|| 2008-04-03
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''[[Membership Action Plan]]'''
|| 2009-12-04
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''Invitation to join'''
|| 2015-12-02
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''Accession protocol'''
|| 2016-05-19
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''Domestic ratification'''
|| 2017-04-28
|-
|colspan="8" style="text-align:left;" | '''Ratification by:'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/271236.pdf |title=Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of Montenegro |date=1 June 2017 |access-date=2017-06-06 |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125041755/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/271236.pdf |archive-date=2017-11-25 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Albania}}
|| 2016-09-06
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Belgium}}
|| 2017-01-18
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Bulgaria}}
|| 2016-08-18
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Canada}}
|| 2017-03-06
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Croatia}}
|| 2017-02-13
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Czech Republic}}
|| 2017-01-27
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Denmark}}
|| 2017-01-17
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Estonia}}
|| 2017-01-09
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|France}}
|| 2017-04-18
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Germany}}
|| 2017-05-03
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Greece}}
|| 2017-03-22
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Hungary}}
|| 2016-07-11
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Iceland}}
|| 2016-06-23
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Italy}}
|| 2017-02-01
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Latvia}}
|| 2016-11-01
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Lithuania}}
|| 2016-12-20
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Luxembourg}}
|| 2017-02-01
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Netherlands}}
|| 2017-05-04
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Norway}}
|| 2017-02-09
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Poland}}
|| 2016-11-28
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Portugal}}
|| 2017-03-27
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Romania}}
|| 2017-03-24
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Slovakia}}
|| 2016-07-06
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Slovenia}}
|| 2016-07-08
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Spain}}
|| 2017-05-18
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|Turkey}}
|| 2016-09-27
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|| 2016-11-15
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flag|United States}}
||2017-04-21
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | '''Member of NATO'''
||  2017-06-05
|}
==Full membership==
Montenegro became the 29th member of [[NATO]] on 5 June 2017 when it deposited its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the U.S. State Department in [[Washington, D.C.]] On 7 June 2017, The [[Flag of Montenegro]] was raised at NATO Headquarters in a special ceremony to mark the country's accession to NATO. Flag raising ceremonies were also held simultaneously at [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|Allied Command Operations]] in Mons and [[Allied Command Transformation]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Flag-raising ceremony marks Montenegro's entry into NATO|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_144739.htm|publisher=NATO|access-date=15 June 2017}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Politics}}
* [[Foreign relations of Montenegro]]
* [[Foreign relations of NATO]]
* [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union]]
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
*[http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49736.htm?selectedLocale=en NATO's relations with Montenegro]
{{Foreign relations of Montenegro}}
{{NATO relations}}
{{Enlargement of NATO}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Montenegro-NATO relations}}
[[Category:Foreign relations of Montenegro]]
[[Category:National security of Montenegro]]
[[Category:NATO relations]]
[[Category:Montenegro and NATO]]