NMacedonia-WDS-Baner

Women in Defence System – North Macedonia – 2022

women-icon01
National Action Plan 1325:

North Macedonia is currently in the phase of implementing its second action plan 1325 on women, peace and security for the period 2020-2025.¹ The adoption of the second action plan coincided with the country’s NATO membership and the 20th anniversary of the Resolution 1325. North Macedonia’s new plan is forward-looking and focused on leadership in government institutions and the civil sector, unlike the first action plan for the period 2013- 2015, which focused more on participation and contribution of women in international, civilian and military missions, including conflict prevention. In the previous period, key challenges for the implementation of NAP 1325 were related to the political context and the conservative forces in the government which obstructed the implementation of gender-related policies. On the structural level, the challenges were related to budgetary concerns and the weaknesses of the monitoring and reporting mechanisms, as well as to the relatively limited capacity of state institutions in terms of gender sensitivity, knowledge and resources.2 Lack of disaggregated data and gender-based analyses posed an additional challenge for evaluation and monitoring.

women-icon02
Participation of women in the MoDs and the Armed Forces:

Equality between women and men is guaranteed by different defence-related laws, and the gender equality principle is mainstreamed in the latest Defence Strategy (2021).3 Moreover, there are no restrictions for women in the military. According to the Ministry of Defence, women currently (2022) make up 34% of its employees and 10% of the armed forces, which is a slight increase compared to 2019.4 When it comes to the share of women among officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and soldiers, North Macedonia has a relatively high percentage of females in the ranks of officers and NCOs – 14% of the officers, 11% of the NCOs and 5% of the soldiers.5 Although the percentage of women in operational jobs has increased, women generally still work in civilian posts in the defence system.

women-icon03
Representation of women in command and leadership positions:

North Macedonia is an example of good practice because some of the senior leadership positions are held by women. North Macedonia is one of the three countries in the region that have appointed women as defence ministers. UNDP SEESAC data show that in 2019, the share of women in leadership positions held by uniformed personnel in the Armed Forces was 16%, while 47% of women among non-uniformed personnel held managerial positions in the MoD.6

women-icon04
Participation of women in peacekeeping operations:

According to the 2021 UNDP SEESAC report, North Macedonia deployed 8% of uniformed women to peacekeeping operations in 2019. Since the presented share of women in peacekeeping operations is based only on a one-year situation overview, it should be borne in mind that annual fluctuations can be significant.7

      1. SECOND NATIONAL ACTION PLAN of the Republic of North Macedonia for the Implementation of United Nations
        Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security 2020 – 2025, https://www.globalwps.org/data/MKD/files/2020-2025.pdf
      2. Gorana Odanović (ed.), Women, Peace and Security in the Western Balkans, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy,
        2013, https://unescowomen.uom.gr/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WOMEN-PEACE-AND-SECURITY_Independent-review-of-translation-of-UNSCR-1325.pdf
      3. Ministry of Defence, Defence Strategy of the Republic of North Macedonia, MoD, 2021, https://www.mod.gov.mk/
        storage/2021/06/Defence-Strategy-of-the-Republic-of-North-Macedonia.pdf
      4. United Nations in Serbia, The Position of Women in the Armed Forces in the Western Balkans, UNDP SEESAC, 23
        December 2021, https://serbia.un.org/en/166414-position-women-armed-forces-western-balkans
      5. Ibid, p. 24
      6. Ibid, p. 28
      7. Ibid, page 27.

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Women In Defence System – North Macedonia

DOWNLOAD PDF
Montenegro-WDS-Baner

Women in Defence System – Montenegro – 2022

women-icon01
National Action Plan 1325:

Montenegro is currently in the phase of implementing the second action plan 1325 on women, peace and security for the period 2019-2022.1 According to the plan, there are three strategic goals for the implementation of Resolution 1325: increasing women’s participation in decision-making and peace processes; protection of women and girls in conflict zones, and integrating the gender perspective and gender education into peacekeeping
operations. In 2017, NATO membership prompted Montenegro to adopt its first plan, which remained in effect until 2018.2 As a NATO member state, Montenegro has adjusted its normative framework in line with NATO policies and guidelines on women, peace and security, such as the NATO Directive 40-1 on integrating UNSC Resolution 1325.3 The Government of Montenegro is the most transparent in the region, and has so far published three reports on the implementation of NAP 1325.

women-icon02
Participation of women in the MoDs and the Armed Forces:

Montenegro is the country with the highest share of women among the civil servants and employees in the MoD. Two thirds of the civil servants employed in the MoD are women (65.33%). Representation of women among professional military personnel has increased by 60%, from 6.2% in 20194 to 10.35% in 2022. When it comes to the share of women among officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and soldiers, their number in the ranks of officers and professional soldiers is relatively high – 16.49% of the officers and 13.78% of the soldiers.
The representation of women among non- commissioned officers (NCOs) is 5.1%. In the past three years, a share of women has been recorded in all the categories.

women-icon03
Representation of women in command and leadership positions:

Montenegro can serve as an example of good practice, as one of the three countries in the region that have appointed women to the position of defence minister. According to the available data from 2022, the share of women in leadership positions in the MoD, including military personnel, is 46.78%. There are 26 women in command positions in the Armed Forced of Montenegro.

women-icon04
Participation of women in peacekeeping operations:

Currently, 11.76% of women are engaged in peacekeeping operations outside of Montenegro. This constitutes a significat increase, as three years ago only two percent of women were engaged in NATO operations.5 However, it
should be borne in mind that the presented share of women in military missions is based only on a one-year situation overview, and that annual fluctuations can be significant. In 2020, the share of women in the position of defence advisor in the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to NATO was 67%.6

      1. Government of Montenegro, Report on the implementation of activities from the Programme of Implementation of the
        Action Plan for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security
        (2019-2022) for the second period, https://www.gov.me/dokumenta/7f4ecc0a-e96e-49fe-8090-7b44d45ecdd5
      2. Government of Montenegro, Report on the implementation of the Action Plan for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security in Montenegro (2017-2018), https://www.gov.me/dokumenta/e73cb264-31d3-488a-849a-d3d00766c664
      3. United Nations in Serbia, The Position of Women in the Armed Forces in the Western Balkans, UNDP SEESAC, 23
        December 2021, p. 19, https://serbia.un.org/en/166414-position-women-armed-forces-western-balkans
      4. UNDP SEESAC, 2021, p. 24
      5. 2019 NATO Summary of the National Reports, p. 397, https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2021/9/
        pdf/NCGP_Full_Report_2019.pdf
      6. Government of Montenegro, Report on the implementation of activities from the Programme of Implementation of the
        Action Plan for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security
        (2019-2022) for the second period

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Women In Defence System – Montenegro

DOWNLOAD PDF
Croatia-WDS-Baner

Women in Defence System – Croatia – 2022

women-icon01
National Action Plan 1325:

Croatia is currently in the phase of implementing the second Action Plan 1325 on women, peace and security for the period 2019-2023. In November 2021, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs published its first report on the implementation of the National Action Plan 1325 for 2019 and 2020.

women-icon02
Participation of women in the MoDs and the Armed Forces:

According to the statement of Deputy Chief of General Staff, Major General Siniša Jurković,1 women currently make up 14.6% of employees in the Croatian Army. This is an increase compared to 2020, when they made up 13% of the active military personnel.2 Given the statistics, Croatia will soon meet the NATO standard of 15% of female uniformed personnel in the armed forces. In addition, Croatia is one of the countries in the region with the highest percentage of women in the ranks of officers, as well as non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and professional soldiers. According to the available data from 2020, the share of female officers is 19.19%, of non-commissioned officers – 10.84%, and of female soldiers – 11.49%.3 In 2020, the share of women among civil servants and employees in the MoD was 50.2%.4

women-icon03
Representation of women in command and leadership positions:

In 2021, Croatian Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Siniša Jurković, said that the number of women in command and leadership positions was unsatisfactory.5 In 2020, 36.4% of women held leading positions in the MoD, while 10.4% held command positions in the Croatian Army.6 According to MFA’s progress report on NAP 1325 implementation, the share of women exercising command and managerial posts in the MoD and in the CAF in 2020 was 11.59%, which was an increase compared to 2019 (10.95%).7 The number of women with the rank of general has stagnated since 2017, with one woman Brigadier General8 among the total of 30, which is a share of 3.33%. Among the senior officers with the rank of brigadier, women comprise 6.73% (there are 23 of them). A total of 13.7% of women were promoted to a higher rank in 2020.9

women-icon04
Participation of women in peacekeeping operations:

Despite being a member of NATO and the EU, Croatia has the lowest participation of women in international operations. Representation of women from the Croatian Armed Forces in the international (UN, NATO and EU-led) missions and operations was 5.83% in 2020 (54 women), showing a slight decrease compared to 2019.10 Regardless, in December 2020 the Croatian Ministry of Defence informed NATO that it had achieved the required gender balance target in its peacekeeping operations.11

      1. “VIDEO: Final conference of the project “Women’s Empowerment and Support in the Military Forces and Peacekeeping Missions of the Republic of Croatia”, Ministry of the Interior, 25 October 2021, https://www.zeneimediji.hr/zene-u-vojnim-snagama-i-mirovnim-misijama-rh-analiza-polozaja-zena-u-sustavu-oruzanih-snaga/
      2. Ministry of the Interior, Analysis of the position of women in the military forces and peacekeeping missions of the Republic of Croatia, 2021, https://mup.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/2021/10/Projekt%20Osna%C5%BEivanje%20%C5%BEena-%202510.2021/BrosuraFinal.pdf
      3. Ibid, p. 8
      4. Ibid, p. 8
      5. “VIDEO: Final conference of the project “Women’s Empowerment and Support in the Military Forces and Peacekeeping Missions of the Republic of Croatia”, Ministry of the Interior, 25 October 2021
      6. Analysis of the position of women in the military forces and peacekeeping missions of the Republic of Croatia, 2021, p. 8
      7. Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Report on the implementation of the National Action Plan for the implementation
        of the Resolution of the United Nations Security Council 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, and related resolutions for the period 2019-2023, for 2019 and 2020
      8. “Women in the Croatian Armed Forces – pride and prejudice”, Women and the media, https://www.zeneimediji.hr/zene-u-oruzanim-snagama-rh-ponos-i-predrasude/
      9. Ibid, page 8
      10. Analysis of the position of women in the military forces and peacekeeping missions of the Republic of Croatia, 2021.
      11. NATO statistics, https://www.globalwps.org/details/HRV

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Women In Defence System – Croatia

DOWNLOAD PDF
BiH-WDS-Baner

Women in Defence System – Bosnia and Herzegovina – 2022

women-icon01
National Action Plan 1325:

Bosnia and Herzegovina was the first country in the region to adopt the local action plan on 1325, which made it one of the pioneers in translating the UN women, peace and security agenda to the local level. The country has taken a proactive approach in developing action plans and is the only one that already has the third action plan for the period 2018-2022. The BiH local action plan has a strong human security dimension and attaches great
importance to regional and international networking.

women-icon02
Participation of women in the MoDs and the Armed Forces:

The number of women among the civil servants and employees in the MoD is currently 111, out of 235 (47.23%),
while the number of women among the professional military personnel is 601, out of 8,639 (6.96%). Although the
percentage of women civilians has increased, the share of women in the armed forces has remained
 almost unchanged in the last five years.¹ When it comes to the share of uniformed women among officers,
non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and soldiers, Bosnia and Herzegovina has 98 female officers, 121 NCOs and 328 soldiers. Progress is difficult to track because the available data are inconsistent. For example, NATO Headquarters Sarajevo reported in 2020 that the percentage of women serving in the MoD and the AF BiH is 8.1%.² However, using a different methodology, UNDP/SEESAC reported that the percentage of women in uniform in the MoD in 2019 was in fact 5.2%, and in Armed Forces BiH – 6.5%, whereas the share of uniformed women among the officers was 4.5%, the NCOs – 4.2%, and soldiers – 8.6 %.³

women-icon03
Representation of women in command and leadership positions:

There are currently 96 women in commanding positions, which is 1% of the total number of employees in the MoD and AF (9,425). The highest rank held by women in the Armed Forces BiH is still that of Colonel, while a woman headed the Ministry of Defence from 2015 to 2019.

women-icon04
Participation of women in peacekeeping operations:

In 2019, Bosnia and Herzegovina had 8.6% of women among its military personnel engaged in peacekeeping missions.4 Data from other reports show that 8 female police officers from Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in the UN police, and that 24% of the female personnel took part in the OSCE field operations.5 According to the latest data of the MoD, from 2022, a total of 8 officers are currently engaged in three missions: MINUSMA (2 officers), MONUSCO (3) and EUTM RCA (3). However, the share of women in peacekeeping missions is not known because the Ministry failed to present gender-segregated data.

      1. See 3.1.2 Participation of women in the army, police and peacekeeping missions in the UNSCR 1325 Implementation
        Action Plan “Women, Peace and Security” in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2018-2022, October 2017, https://arsbih.gov.ba/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/180718_Prijedlog-AP-UNSCR-1325_2018-2022-u-BiH.pdf
      2. https://jfcnaples.nato.int/hqsarajevo/jezici-bosne-i-hercegovine/vijesti-iz-nato-staba-sarajevo/2020/11092020
      3. United Nations in Serbia, The Position of Women in the Armed Forces in the Western Balkans. UNDP SEESAC, 23
        December 2021, https://serbia.un.org/en/166414-position-women-armed-forces-western-balkans
      4. Ibid, p. 29
      5. SIRPI, Women in Multinational Peace Operations in 2021: What is the State of Play? https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/women_in_multilateral_peace_operations_in_2021-what_is_the_state_of_play.pdf

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Women In Defence System –
Bosnia and Herzegovina

DOWNLOAD PDF
Albania-WSD-Baner

Women in Defence System – Albania – 2022

women-icon01
National Action Plan 1325:

Most countries have already adopted their second generation of action plans, except for Albania, which was the last in the region to adopt the first action plan in 2018. The Albanian action plan expired in 2020 and there seems to be no political will to draft a new one. The Ministry of Defence however states that it complies with other gender-related documents, such as the newly adopted National Strategy on Gender Equality 2021-2030. The Ministry is focused on fulfilling three strategic goals: promoting and enhancing women’s leadership in the military, increasing women’s participation in missions and operations, and increasing the number of women in the Albanian military representations in NATO command structures and the number of women in diplomatic missions.

women-icon02
Participation of women in the MoDs and the Armed Forces:

There was a 14.01% representation of female military personnel in the Armed Forces in 2020, which was an increase of 0.27% compared to December 2019. The total number of employees in the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces is 7,413, of which 18.6% are women. Albania will therefore soon meet the NATO standard of 15% of female uniformed personnel in the armed forces. However, Albania is the only country in the region with the quota for women in the army (15%) that can affect their further admission. The increase of representation of women in the armed forces is slow, given that the percentage of women military personnel in the armed forces in 2011 was 12.3%, in 2012 – 13.42%, while in 2013 it decreased to 11.2%. Still, Albania had the highest percentage of women officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in 2020 – 19.51% of officers (341 out of the total of 1,747) and 14.89% of non-commissioned officers (348 out of the total of 2,337). The percentage of women among the civil employees in the MoD is 35.55%. In other words, out of 1,578 civil servants, 561 are women.

women-icon03
Representation of women in command and leadership positions:

There are no precise data on the representation of women in command and leadership positions. The highest rank held by women in the Albanian Armed Forces is that of Major General. This rank is held by Manushaqe Shehu, who became the first female Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces in 2018. Until recently, Albania had two women defence ministers, who headed the Ministry from 2013 to 2020. Mrs. Olta Xhaçka was the second woman to be appointed Minister of Defence (2017-2020) after Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, who led the defence sector for four consecutive years. There are also other decision-making positions held by women, such as that of Deputy Defence Minister.

women-icon04
Participation of women in peacekeeping operations:

Albania has been a member of NATO for almost 15 years. However, it is only in the last three that the percentage of women in NATO operations has increased. Albania has increased the representation of women in NATO operations by 75%, from 4% in 2018 to 7% in 2019. Lieutenant Aurela Bala and Sergeant Esmeralda Murati were the first two women from the Albanian Armed Forces to take part in an international naval operation in 2017, i.e. the NATO operation “Sea Guardian” in the Aegean Sea to monitor and prevent illegal immigration into the EU. Apart from NATO operations, two women peacekeepers from Albania were also engaged in UN operations in 2020.

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Women In Defence System – Albania

DOWNLOAD PDF
Serbia-SD-Baner

Strategic Document – Serbia – 2022

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2020
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2020

icon01

National interests and goals (as defined in the Strategies):
Preserving sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity // Preserving internal stability and security // Protection of the Serbian people wherever they live // Preserving peace and stability in the region and the world // European integration and membership in the European Union

icon02

Main threats:
Separatist aspirations // Ethnic and religious extremism // Covert activities of foreign factors // Organised crime // Illegal migration

icon03

Main principles of national security policy:
Democratic standards // Cooperation policy // European foreign policy orientation // Military neutrality // Developing the concept of total defence

icon04

Regional cooperation:
Regional security is increasingly based on joint and coordinated activities in the field of security, politics and economy, other areas aimed at preserving stability and preventing crises in this region, and on the common interest of the region’s countries to join the European Union. Activities within the framework of regional initiatives and the construction of joint mechanisms for the prevention of risks and threats, and for crisis management, create conditions for the accession of all countries in the region to the European Union.

icon05

Regional threats:
Ethnic and religious alienation, and different interpretations and attempts to
revise history, are creating limitations in the process of stabilising the region. Other factors that threaten regional security are non-military threats, including separatist aspirations and ethnic, religious and political extremism. The risk of outbreak of wars and other armed conflicts in Southeast Europe, although reduced, have not been eliminated.

icon06

Relations with NATO:
The development of partnership cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and NATO, based on the policy of military neutrality and through the Partnership for Peace programme, contributes to the stability of the Republic of Serbia and contributes to bilateral  relations with the countries of the region that are members of NATO. The Republic of Serbia does not intend to become a member of NATO or any other military-political alliance.

icon07

Relations with the EU:
Improving national security and defence through the process of European integration contributes to the full membership of the Republic of Serbia in the European Union. (Serbia) is firmly committed to contributing to the European Union’s Common Foreign, Security and Defence Policy as part of the accession process and integrating into the concepts of that European policy.

icon08

International military cooperation:
Through the participation of military and civilian capacities in multinational operations and missions of the United Nations, the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Republic of Serbia will improve its position as a reliable partner in international relations. Special attention will be paid to the trade in weapons and military equipment, because the suppression of illegal trade is a continuous commitment of the Republic of Serbia.

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – Serbia

DOWNLOAD PDF

Relations with NATO and the EU:
The development of partnership cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and NATO, based on the policy of military neutrality and through the Partnership for Peace programme, contributes to the stability of the Republic of Serbia and contributes to bilateral  relations with the countries of the region that are members of NATO. The Republic of Serbia does not intend to become a member of NATO or any other military-political alliance.

NMacedonia-SD-Baner

Strategic Document – North Macedonia – 2022

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2003
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2020

icon01

National interests and goals (as defined in the Strategies):
Protection of independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Northern Macedonia // Strengthening regional security and stability // Membership in collective security systems // Effective management of natural disasters, technical and technological disasters, epidemics and climate change

icon02

Main threats:
Insufficient economic growth // Corruption // Organised crime // Insufficient capacity and politicisation of democratic institutions // Foreign intelligence services delaying or hindering efforts to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community // Radicalism and extremism // Terrorism // Illegal migration // Cyber threats

icon03

Main principles of national security policy:
Collective defence // Professionalism and adequateand equitable representation of communities // Application of the principle of gender equality in all the phases of defence policy and planning

icon04

Regional cooperation:
Regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations have a positive impact on security in the region. Countries in the region are aware that co-operation and good neighbourly relations are a precondition for building mutual trust, integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures and improving regional security, stability and economic growth. The Republic of Northern Macedonia sees full membership of all countries of the region in NATO or the EU as the best way to further improve and consolidate the security situation in the region of Southeast Europe and beyond.

icon05

Regional threats:
The region remains burdened by its history and continues to face problems that can lead to instability. Differences of national, ethno-religious and cultural character and conflicting goals and interests can be a challenge to the security and safety of the region.

icon06
icon07

Relations with NATO and the EU:
Strategic commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic integration and membership in collective defence and security systems remain a top priority of our defence policy, focused on joining NATO and the EU. After full membership in NATO and the EU, we will fully participate in collective defence and the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The military will maintain military capabilities which are compatible and interoperable with the NATO Code of Capabilities. It will also improve the existing capabilities and provide conditions for integration and adequate contribution of the national defence system to the collective defence ofthe Alliance.

icon08

International military cooperation:
North Macedonia will develop strength and capabilities to participate in international peacekeeping and security operations and missions, in line with national security interests and international obligations. We will support regional and international peace, security and
stability through active participation in NATO and EU-led operations and missions, as well as in international peacekeeping, humanitarian and observation operations led by the UN, and through participation in various forms of military cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – North Macedonia

DOWNLOAD PDF
Montenegro-SD-Baner

Strategic Document – Montenegro – 2022

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2018
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2019

icon01

National interests and goals (as defined in the Strategies):
Protection of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Montenegro // Internal stability, protection of life and property of citizens and economic goods // Protection of democracy and rule of law, and guarantee and protection of human rights and freedoms

icon02

Main threats:
Armed aggression // Terrorism and violent extremism // Proliferation of conventional arms and weapons of mass destruction // Cyber and hybrid threats // Organised crime

icon03

Main principles of national security policy:
Development of military capacities and capabilities necessary for the execution of dedicated missions and tasks in the country and within the collective security system // Further development of military capabilities in line with the NATO defence planning process

icon04

Regional cooperation:
The region generates a common vision of the future despite certain difficulties. Montenegro strives – through regional development cooperation and by enhancing transparency, dialogue and good neighbourly relations – to contribute to avoiding misunderstandings and improving security opportunities and stability in the region. Montenegro is committed to developing good neighbourly relations and strengthening regional co-operation, in terms of security as well as in other areas of common interest.

icon05

Regional threats:
The region is still burdened by past events and unresolved issues that could cause destabilisation in certain areas. Geostrategic shifts have made the Western Balkans once again a zone of strong interest of certain international actors whose primary goal is to prevent the further European and Euro-Atlantic path of some countries in the region. This imposes concrete actions on the region, especially those of a hybrid nature, which poses a serious security challenge and can have significant consequences for regional stability and slow down the integration processes.

icon06

Relations with NATO:
Montenegro has recognised that the best guarantee of long-term and sustainable security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state is access to the collective and cooperative security and defence system brought about by NATO membership. Therefore, active participation in the collective security system, NATO activities, missions and operations is a key prerequisite for protecting Montenegro from armed threats and other identified threats to national security.

icon07

Relations with the EU:
NATO membership has significantly strengthened Montenegro’s international position and facilitated the achievement of another key foreign policy goal – accession to the European Union. EU membership will further improve the security climate in the region and strengthen Montenegro’s capacity to respond to current challenges, risks, and threats.

icon08

International military cooperation:
Montenegro contributes to international stability through active participation in EU missions and UN peacekeeping missions and operations. Montenegro is developing its capacity to participate in NATO missions, operations and other activities in line with its membership obligations.

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – Montenegro

DOWNLOAD PDF
Croatia-SD-Baner

Strategic Document – Croatia – 2022

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2017
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2002

icon01

National interests and goals (as defined in the Strategies):
Security of the population // Territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia // Strengthening the international reputation and influence of the Republic of Croatia // Ensuring the survival, protection of the identity and the political subjectivity of the Croatian people as constitutive in Bosnia and Herzegovina // Protection and support of Croats in other countries, and emigration

icon02

Main threats:
Unresolved issues on delimitation with certain neighbouring countries // Political and intelligence activities of countries and non-state factors that perceive the European Union and NATO as a security threat // Terrorist attacks

icon03

Main principles of national security policy:
Parliamentary, professional and civil oversight of the legality of the work of the security and intelligence system // Inclusion of population in the civil protection system

icon04

Regional cooperation:
The Republic of Croatia emphasises investing in the stability of the Southeast neighbourhood, viewing the Euro-Atlantic integration and the implementation of reforms as key factors and instruments for achieving stability and security. The Republic of Croatia will therefore systematically act in support of democratic processes, stabilisation, and access of countries in Southeast Europe to Euro-Atlantic integration. The Republic of Croatia will endeavour to seek a solution to the open issues of delimitation through direct negotiations or through proceedings before an international judicial body.

icon05

Regional threats:
Political instability, underdeveloped state institutions, corruption, the high unemployment
rate and social and ethnic tensions make the security situation in our Southeast neighbourhood fragile. Although Euro-Atlantic influence is still dominant, the space is also open to the influence of other global and regional actors and geopolitical competition and various destabilising external influences are reflected in this area as well. The Croatian neighbourhood shows trends of increasing intolerance, radicalism and extremism, especially Islamist radicalism.

icon06

Relations with NATO:
For the Republic of Croatia, NATO is the guarantor of peace, stability andsecurity. The membership of the Republic of Croatia in NATO provides a convincing guarantee of collective defence as an important factor in deterring and defending the population, territory, and national sovereignty. Appropriate military and civilian capabilities for deterrence and defence will be developed to carry out the tasks of the NATO Preparedness Action Plan as a contribution to the credibility of Allied solidarity and NATO cohesion.

icon07

Relations with the EU:
The Republic of Croatia will actively contribute to missions and operations within the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union and participate in the association and the sharing of initiatives and projects of the European Defence Agency.

icon08

International military cooperation:
The Republic of Croatia will contribute to the efforts aimed at strengthening international security and stability by participating in international missions and operations, as well as crisis response operations of international organisations, in particular the United Nations, NATO, the European Union, OSCE, and the Council of Europe.

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – Albania

DOWNLOAD PDF
Albania-SD-Baner

Strategic Document – Albania – 2022

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2014
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2015

icon01

National interests and goals (as defined in the Strategies):
Protection and consolidation of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Albania // Strengthening fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law // Protection and promotion of the interests of Albanians wherever they may be // Preservation and development of national identity

icon02

Main threats:
Organised crime // Corrupt individuals // Terrorism // Proliferation of weapons ofmass destruction and long-range weapons

icon03

Main principles of national security policy:
Accountability and transparency // Activities of the Armed Forces based on the Constitution and subject to democratic control of competent institutions // Small, efficient and profiled force based on personnel rather than heavy weaponry // Promoting gender equality and increasing women’s participation

icon04

Regional cooperation:
Peace, stability and prosperity in the region are of strategic importance to Albania. Our interest is to have a region that is integrated into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, where inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony reigns. This will be realised through good neighbourly relations, cooperation in good faith, respect for minorities and inclusion. Relations between the countries of the region have improved, and cooperation has increased both qualitatively and quantitatively. Integration processes are catalysts for democratic reform, cooperation, good neighbouring relations and the reconciliation process. Promoting sustainable economic development will be achieved through deep regional economic integration aimed at creating an open and free regional market as a precondition for the region’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

icon05

Regional threats:
Problems in the region can still be caused by extreme nationalism. The existence of divided societies continues to pose a potential threat, due to the potential reopening of the border issue. Political exploitation and failure to exercise the rights of certain ethnic or minority groups could continue to cause sporadic tensions and generate negative consequences in bilateral and multilateral relations. Unresolved interstate disputes and problems can affect the quality of regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations, slowing down integration
processes.

icon06

Relations with NATO:
Membership in the North Atlantic Alliance is an inherent guarantee of national security, and the Republic of Albania is committed to fulfilling the obligations arising from saidmembership.

icon07

Relations with the EU:
Albania’s membership in the European Union is the country’s most important strategic goal for the next decade. EU integration is also linked to the country’s participation in the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy.

icon08

International military cooperation:
Albania is committed to actively promoting regional and global peace and stability, increasing its role in regional and international organisations, and to participating in missions led by the UN, NATO and the EU.

2022 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – Albania

DOWNLOAD PDF