Montenegro

Montenegro Demilitarization

The three parties agreed upon a four part programme called MONDEM (Montenegro Demilitarization), the goals of which are:

1. The reduction of risks to the atmosphere and marine environment in the Kotor Bay area by the destruction of over 128 tonnes of toxic chemical hazardous waste (liquid rocket propellant) in accordance with international best environmental practices

• this element of the programme was completed in October 2008 when the materials were shipped to a facility in Sweden and destroyed

2. The reduction of counter-proliferation risks through the development of safe and secure conventional ammunition storage infrastructure and management systems to as close to NATO standards as possible (within resources).

• presently there are 10 storage facilities for ammunition in Montenegro
• Montenegro will only require 2 or 3 storage facilities in the future
• storage facilities in Danilovgrad and Niksic are currently being upgraded and it is expected that work will be completed in late 2009
• the rest of the storage facilities will be closed down

3. The reduction of explosive risk to communities by the environmentally benign demilitarization of over 9000 tonnes of surplus conventional ammunition and explosives.

• obsolete munitions and arms from obsolete storage facilities will be destroyed at two locations in the country
• facilities in Berane and Mojkovac, which are used to produce explosives and pyrotechnic devices, are being upgraded into facilities that will destroy armaments and munitions
• workers will be retrained
• it is expected the effort will take up to two years 

4. Support to defense reform by the destruction of a limited quantity of heavy weapon systems through recycling.

• in 2007, 61 tanks were recycled
• the programme recouped 400,000 euros from the contract with the steel mill in Niksic
• the first two months of 2009 will see the recycling of other obsolete heavy weapons systems such as canons and howitzers.
• the effort is expected to return 200,000 euros to the programme

By the end of the programme cycle an indigenous local capacity will remain for the maintenance, storage and future disposal of conventional munitions required by the security structures of the Government of Montenegro in accordance with NATO and EU standards.