Montenegro set to approve NATO membership in historic move

Montenegro is set to formally approve becoming a member of NATO tomorrow, a move seen as historic for the Balkan country long considered a traditional Russian ally in the turbulent region.

Montenegro, like the rest of the Balkans, has been caught in a battle of influence between the West and Russia. Montenegrin government officials argue that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

"The decision is historic because it changes completely the foreign policy context in which Montenegro has existed," historian Boban Batricevic said. "It will be viewed as the start of a new era for our nation."
 

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in its zone of interest. Montenegro says Russia was behind a foiled election-day coup in October allegedly designed to avert the NATO path.

Both Russia and pro-Russian opposition in Montenegro have evoked the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, made up of Serbia and Montenegro at the time, over Kosovo as a reason to stay out of the alliance.

Although its army is small, with only 2,000 troops, Montenegro is important for NATO because it will provide the remaining access to the Adriatic Sea.

Montenegrin lawmakers will vote on the accession protocol tomorrow. No surprises are expected, as the ruling pro-NATO coalition holds a majority of seats. Pro-Russian opposition will boycott the session but plan protests outside the parliament building. The opposition says the parliamentary approval will be illegal and have insisted on a referendum instead.

Montenegro's small military won't contribute much. But the country is strategically positioned to give NATO full control over the Adriatic Sea, other Adriatic nations Albania, Croatia and Italy are already in the alliance.

This is something Russia has tried to achieve in the past as it sought to gain access to the so-called "warm seas" in the Adriatic.

Backing Montenegro also sends a message to Russia that the US and its allies will push back against Russian efforts to increase its influence in Europe. Russia has been looking to boost its interference in the Balkans, primarily with its only remaining ally Serbia, and in Serb-held areas of Bosnia and Kosovo.