Background

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro was opened on 29 June 2006 following an invitation extended to the OSCE by the Government of the Republic of Montenegro and in accordance with OSCE Permanent Council Decision No 732. Following a referendum on its State-legal status held on 21 May 2006 and a Declaration of Independence adopted by its Parliament on 3 June 2006, the Republic of Montenegro became independent and, on 22 June 2006, was formally admitted to the OSCE as its 56th participating State.

The Mission is based on the structure of the OSCE Office in Podgorica, which operated with substantial autonomy as of January 2002 within the framework and the mandate of the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, later the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro.

Tasks

The OSCE provides assistance and support to the Republic of Montenegro in a timely and appropriate manner in line with the policy reform priorities of the Government of Montenegro, and maintains a strategic partnership with civil society. In accordance with its mandate, the OSCE has been engaged in supporting the reform processes, which are needed to achieve the strategic goal of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, in the following areas:

• democratization processes supporting local and central governance structures including the Parliament, civil society, the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector, minorities, providing support to gender equality issues, anti-trafficking efforts, human rights culture and civic education;
• legislative reform and institution building in the fields of combating organized crime and corruption, the Ombudsperson Institute, prison reform, the Office of the National Co-ordinator for Anti-Trafficking; the Commissariat for Refugees and Displaced Persons, and the judiciary;
• police reform including strategic planning, accountability, community policing, police education, border policing, organized crime, legislative reform, and anti-terrorism;
• media reform including the legislative framework, regulatory bodies, professional journalistic standards and public service broadcasting;
• environmental protection and economic development.

Mission structure

Under the political guidance of the Head of Mission and the HoM's Office, the activities of the Mission are handled by five sections: Democratisation, Economics and Environment, Law Enforcement; Media, and Rule of Law and Human Rights. The Administration and Finance Unit completes the structure.

Working with international partners

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro works closely with the Council of Europe in Montenegro towards enhancing regional co-operation, promoting and supporting legislative reforms, respect for human and minority rights, and institution-and capacity-building. The Mission also co-operates closely with EU institutions, UN agencies and foreign diplomatic representations.

Further information on mandates, staffing levels and budgets can be found in the annual Survey of OSCE Field Operations.