Montenegro to Vote on Membership in NATO

Montenegrin lawmakers are set to ratify the Balkan country’s membership in NATO on Friday and make a historic turn toward the West amid protests from traditional ally Russia and the pro-Russia opposition.

The Montenegrin parliament will convene in the historic capital of Cetinje to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. Several hundred pro-Russia opposition supporters rallied in protest outside the hall before the session.

Demonstrators chanted “Treason!” and “Thieves!” as lawmakers from the ruling pro-NATO coalition arrived for the vote. A banner read: “NATO murderers, your hands are bloody!”

“I feel humiliated because others are making a decision in my name,” former Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic said. “What is happening now is the triumph by force and lies!”

Montenegro’s pro-NATO government has urged lawmakers to approve the entry protocol. Officials said that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

The government said: “In the current geopolitical environment, Montenegro must rationally look at all options and make a decision that will best protect its national, security and economic interests.”

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in Montenegro, Moscow’s traditional zone of interest. Montenegro has accused Russia of being behind a foiled election-day coup in October allegedly designed to throw the country off its path toward NATO. Russia has denied this.

Montenegro has a small military of around 2,000 troops, but it is strategically positioned to give NATO full control over the Adriatic Sea — the other Adriatic nations, Albania, Croatia and Italy, are already in the alliance.

The country of 620,000 has been historically divided between pursuing pro-Western policies and sticking to an alliance with Orthodox Christian allies Serbia and Russia. Montenegro gained independence from Serbia in 2006.

Source: Associated Press