Thewesternbalkans
Montenegro is among the 23 members of NATO, which this year will allocate more than two percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) for defense, announced the Minister of Defense of Montenegro Dragan Krapović, after the NATO meeting held in Brussels, 13 – 14 June.
By allocating 2,02 % of GDP for the defense budget, Montenegro confirms the commitment of the government to the credible membership of the country in the Alliance, the Ministry of Defense announced.
Speaking about the security situation in Europe, Krapović said that Montenegro will continue to contribute to the activities of the strengthened presence on the eastern wing of the Alliance through the engagement of members of the Montenegrin Armed Forces within the combat groups in Latvia and Bulgaria.
On June 17, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg published a report on allocations for the defense of the member countries, in preparation for the NATO Summit, which will be held in Washington from July 9 to 11.
According to the NATO report, this year, Montenegro will allocate EUR 150 million for defense. The country allocates the most money for personnel – 39%, while 35.8% is allocated for operations, maintenance and other expenses. Allocations for equipment are 15%, and for infrastructure slightly less than 4%.
Comment: The increase in the Montenegro’s defense budget from 1.54% in 2023 to 2.02% this year is part of the programme of the current Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, presented to the parliament last October, pledged an increase of spending on defence to 2% GDP and the modernization of the units of Montenegrin Armed Forces.
At the same time, it is also part of the efforts of the NATO member states of the region to demonstrate collective responsibility, commitment to common values and to confirm the credibility of the Alliance.
The quoted NATO report on defense expenditures of the member states also shows that Albania and North Macedonia increase their 2024 defense budget compared to 2023, from 1.75% to 2.05 % of GDP for Albania and from 1.81% to 2.22 % of GDP for North Macedonia.
