On May 1, 2014 Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby provided the following readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s meeting with Montenegro’s Minister of Defense Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic:
“Secretary Hagel met today with Montenegro’s Minister of Defense Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic at the Pentagon.
Secretary Hagel praised Minister Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic for the significant progress Montenegro has made in modernizing and reforming its defense sector. He also encouraged continued efforts as Montenegro pursues membership in NATO.
Secretary Hagel also expressed gratitude for Montenegro’s contributions to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
The meeting also provided the opportunity to discuss Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and impact on Southeast Europe.”
Source: DOD http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=16681
It should be noted that the Military of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Vojska Crne Gore) consists of an army, navy and air force.Conscription was abolished in 2006; the military is now a fully professional standing army.
The military currently maintains a force of 2,094 active duty members. The bulk of its equipment and forces were inherited from the armed forces of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro; as Montenegro contained the entire coastline of the former union, it retained practically the entire naval force.
Montenegro is a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace program and is an official candidate for full membership in the alliance. Montenegro applied for a Membership Action Plan on 5 November 2008, which was granted in December 2009. Montenegro is also a member of Adriatic Charter.