2023-SD-Croatia

Strategic Document – Croatia – 2023

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2017
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2002

NO CHANGES IN 2022

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

2023 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – Croatia

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2023-SD-Montenegro

Strategic Document – Montenegro – 2023

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2018
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2019

NO CHANGES IN 2022

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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

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

2023 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – Montenegro

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2023-SD-Makedonija

Strategic Document – North Macedonia – 2023

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2003
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2020

NO CHANGES IN 2022

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

2023 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – North Macedonia

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2023-SD-Srbija

Strategic Document – Serbia – 2023

NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: 2020
NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY: 2020

NO CHANGES IN 2022

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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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

2023 – Balkan Defence Monitor
Strategic Documents – Serbia

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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.