Montenegro
The relevance of Montenegro as a partner country derives from its geographical location in South Eastern Europe, making it a neighbour of the EU, and its aspirations to join the EU. Montenegro signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2007 as well as an Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related issues and submitted its application for EU membership on 15 December 2008. In December 2010, Montenegro officially became an EU candidate country.
As part of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Montenegro requested in 2005 technical and international expert assistance from the UNSCR 1540 Committee to improve its legislative, legal and administrative system with respect to non-proliferation, as well as to draft an action plan in order to implement UNSCR 1540. In its two other reports (submitted in 2006 and 2008), Montenegro once again expressed its desire to receive support in the legislative and administrative sphere. Furthermore, as a candidate for membership to the EU and having already received EU financial aid under other programmes, Montenegro has shown a commitment to working with the EU and accepting assistance where available. Finally, Montenegro has signed the WMD clause as part of the SAA.
