--- title: Montenegro — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 3 description: Wikipedia's «Montenegro», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Montenegro is a country in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/page/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Montenegro # Montenegro · page 3 From Wikipedia, [«Montenegro»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montenegro), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/page/4/) In 2024, Montenegro was one of 22 countries with a [Global Hunger Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Hunger_Index) score of less than 5.[\[117\]](../../page/4/#ref-117 "note 117")[170](../../170/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Geography Main article: [Geography of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Montenegro) Montenegro features high peaks along its borders with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia.[171](../../171/ "tree and pragmatics") Its geography also includes a segment of the [karst](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst) of the western Balkan Peninsula, to a narrow coastal plain that is only 1.5 to 6 km wide.[172](../../172/ "tree and pragmatics") The plain stops abruptly in the north, where [Mount Lovćen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lovćen) and [Mount Orjen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Orjen) plunge into the inlet of the Bay of Kotor.[\[118\]](../../page/4/#ref-118 "note 118")[173](../../173/ "tree and pragmatics") Montenegro's large karst region lies generally at elevations of 1000 m above sea level; some parts, however, rise to 2000 m, such as [Mount Orjen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Orjen) 1894 m, the highest massif among the coastal limestone ranges.[174](../../174/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Zeta River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeta_River) valley, at an elevation of 500 m, is the lowest segment.[175](../../175/ "tree and pragmatics") The mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrains in Europe, averaging more than 2000 m in elevation.[176](../../176/ "tree and pragmatics") One of the country's notable peaks is [Bobotov Kuk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobotov_Kuk) in the [Durmitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durmitor) mountains, which reaches a height of 2522 m and was previously thought to be the country's highest point.[177](../../177/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2018, new [triangulation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangulation) measurements showed that [Zla Kolata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zla_Kolata) in the [Prokletije](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prokletije) mountains, which reaches a height of 2534 m.[\[119\]](../../page/4/#ref-119 "note 119") Owing to the hyperhumid climate on their western sides, the Montenegrin mountain ranges were among the most ice-eroded parts of the Balkan Peninsula during the last glacial period.[178](../../178/ "tree and pragmatics") Internationally, Montenegro borders [Serbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia) [corpus](../../../Serbia/ "in our corpus"), [Bosnia and Herzegovina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) [corpus](../../../Bosnia_and_Herzegovina/ "in our corpus"), [Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo) [corpus](../../../Kosovo/ "in our corpus"), [Albania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania) [corpus](../../../Albania/ "in our corpus") and [Croatia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia) [corpus](../../../Croatia/ "in our corpus").[179](../../179/ "tree and pragmatics") It lies between latitudes [41°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/41st_parallel_north) and [44°N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/44°N), and longitudes [18°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_meridian_east) and [21°E](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_meridian_east).[180](../../180/ "tree and pragmatics") Montenegro has many national parks, making it important for its biodiversity.[181](../../181/ "tree and pragmatics") The national parks include: the [Durmitor National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durmitor_National_Park) (1952), having an area of 390 km2, is also a massif.[182](../../182/ "tree and pragmatics") Located in the [Dinaric Alps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinaric_Alps), the Belgrade–Bar railway crosses the mountains in it; the [Biogradska Gora National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogradska_Gora_National_Park) (1952), spans to 54 km2, being as well a forest, the park was recognised as one of the [UNESCO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO) [World Network of Biosphere Reserves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Network_of_Biosphere_Reserves); the [Lovćen National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovćen) (1952) is located in southwestern Montenegro, it is the inspiration behind the names of Montenegro and [Crna Gora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crna_Gora), the area is 64 km2; the [Lake Skadar National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Skadar) (1983) is a big lake lying on the [Albania-Montenegro border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania-Montenegro_border), the national park measure approximately 400 km2; the [Prokletije National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prokletije) (2009) is a mountain range including [the second tallest mountain of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjeravica), the park have an area of 166 km2.[183](../../183/ "tree and pragmatics") Montenegro is a member of the [International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Commission_for_the_Protection_of_the_Danube_River), as more than 2000 km2 of the country's territory lie within the [Danube](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danube) [catchment area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainage_basin).[184](../../184/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Biodiversity The diversity of the geological base, landscape, climate, and soil, and the position of Montenegro on the Balkan Peninsula and Adriatic Sea, created the conditions for high biological diversity, putting Montenegro among the "hot-spots" of European and world biodiversity.[185](../../185/ "tree and pragmatics") The number of species per area unit index in Montenegro is 0.837, the highest in any European country.[\[120\]](../../page/4/#ref-120 "note 120")[186](../../186/ "tree and pragmatics") Biological estimates suggest that over 1,200 species of freshwater algae, 300 species of marine algae, 589 species of moss, 7,000–8,000 species of vascular plants, 2,000 species of fungi, 16,000–20,000 species of insects, 407 species of marine fish, 56 species of reptile, 333 species of regularly visiting birds and a high species diversity of mammals are found in Montenegro.[\[121\]](../../page/4/#ref-121 "note 121")[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") Montenegro can be divided into two main [biogeographic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogeographic) regions, which include the [Mediterranean Biogeographic Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Biogeographic_Region) and the [Alpine Biogeographic Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_Biogeographic_Region).[\[121\]](../../page/4/#ref-121 "note 121")[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") It is also home to three terrestrial ecoregions: [Balkan mixed forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_mixed_forests), [Dinaric Mountains mixed forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinaric_Mountains_mixed_forests), and [Illyrian deciduous forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrian_deciduous_forests).[\[122\]](../../page/4/#ref-122 "note 122")[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") It had a 2019 [Forest Landscape Integrity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Landscape_Integrity_Index) mean score of 6.41/10, ranking it 73rd globally out of 172 countries.[\[123\]](../../page/4/#ref-123 "note 123")[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") The total share of protected areas in Montenegro is 9.05% of the country's area, which mainly comes from the five [national parks of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_parks_of_Montenegro).[\[121\]](../../page/4/#ref-121 "note 121")[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Politics Main article: [Politics of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Montenegro), [Elections in Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Montenegro) Montenegro is a [parliamentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system) [representative democratic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democratic) [republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic) with a [codified constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Montenegro) established in 2007.[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") The constitution describes Montenegro as a "[civic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_engagement), democratic, [ecological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalism) state of [social justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice), based on the [reign of Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_law)".[\[124\]](../../page/4/#ref-124 "note 124")[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") Montenegro is a [multi-party system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-party_system).[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") The [President of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Montenegro) is the representative [head of state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_state), elected for a period of five years through [direct election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_election).[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") The President promotes the country internationally through diplomatic engagements, promulgates laws by ordinance, calls elections for the [Parliament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Montenegro), and ceremonially proposes candidates for [Prime Minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Montenegro), president and justices of the Constitutional Court to the Parliament.[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") The President also ceremonially proposes the calling of a [referendum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendum) to Parliament, grants amnesty for criminal offences proscribed by the national law, confers decoration and awards and performs other constitutional duties and is a member of the Supreme Defence Council.[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") The official residence of the President is in [Cetinje](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetinje).[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") The incumbent president is [Jakov Milatović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakov_Milatović) who has held the position since May 2023.[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Government of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Montenegro) is the [executive branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_branch) of government authority of Montenegro and led by the [Prime Minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Montenegro).[\[125\]](../../page/4/#ref-125 "note 125")[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") The role of Prime Minister is the most politically powerful office in Montenegro.[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") All of Montenegro's governments since 2006 have been [coalitions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_government) comprising a minimum of three [political parties.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Montenegro)[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") The government is primarily based in [Podgorica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podgorica) [corpus](../../../Podgorica/ "in our corpus").[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Parliament of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Montenegro) is the country's [unicameral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicameral) [legislature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislature), located in [Podgorica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podgorica) [corpus](../../../Podgorica/ "in our corpus").[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") The Parliament has power to appoint the government, pass [legislation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislation) (parliamentary law) and [scrutinise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_scrutiny) [bills](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%28law%29) (proposed parliamentary law).[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") It also appoints justices of all courts, approves the budget and performs other duties as established by the country's Constitution.[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") Parliament can pass a [motion of no confidence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_of_no_confidence) in the Government by [simple majority vote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_majority_vote).[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") One member of the Montenegrin parliament, known as a Deputy, is elected per 6,000 voters.[\[126\]](../../page/4/#ref-126 "note 126")[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") There are currently 81 deputies.[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") Elections to the Parliament are conducted by the [D'Hondt method](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Hondt_method), a form of [proportional representation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation).[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") According to [International IDEA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Institute_for_Democracy_and_Electoral_Assistance)'s Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Indices and Democracy Tracker, Montenegro performs in the mid-range on overall [democratic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy) measures, with particular weaknesses in absence of corruption and judicial independence.[\[127\]](../../page/4/#ref-127 "note 127")[\[128\]](../../page/4/#ref-128 "note 128")[\[129\]](../../page/4/#ref-129 "note 129")[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2019, Montenegro was described as a hybrid regime (a political system which combines democratic and [authoritarian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authoritarian) features) according to the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) [corpus](../../../United_States/ "in our corpus")–based [Freedom House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_House).[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") The organisation cited [state capture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_capture), abuse of power, and strongman tactics by Prime Minister [Milo Đukanović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_Đukanović) (2008–2010 and 2012–2016) as explanations for its description as such.[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") [Đukanović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_Đukanović) held a number of senior government positions, including the Presidency, before and after the dissolution of the union between Serbia and Montenegro.[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") Similarly the [Economist Democracy Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economist_Democracy_Index) (EDI) considers Montenegro to be a "flawed democracy": since it was first published, the EDI ranked Montenegro as a "flawed democracy" from 2006–2015, downgrading it to a "hybrid regime" between 2016–2020, before reinstating it to "flawed democracy" in 2021 where, as of 2024, it remains.[\[130\]](../../page/4/#ref-130 "note 130")[\[131\]](../../page/4/#ref-131 "note 131")[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") [Đukanović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_Đukanović)'s [pro-European](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-European) and [pro-NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO) [Democratic Party of Socialists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_of_Socialists) (DPS) narrowly lost the [2020 parliamentary election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Montenegrin_parliamentary_election) which ended the party's 30-year rule[\[132\]](../../page/4/#ref-132 "note 132") and the pro-Serbia "[For the Future of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_Future_of_Montenegro)" (ZBCG) [parliamentary group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_group), composed mainly of Serb nationalist parties, formed a government under Prime Minister [Zdravko Krivokapic.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zdravko_Krivokapić)[\[133\]](../../page/4/#ref-133 "note 133")[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") Prime Minister Krivokapic's government was toppled in a no-confidence vote after just 14 months in power.[\[134\]](../../page/4/#ref-134 "note 134")[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") In April 2022, a new [minority government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_government), led by Prime Minister [Dritan Abazović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dritan_Abazović), brought together [moderate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moderate) parties that are both pro-European and pro-Serb.[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") However, his government lost a confidence vote after only 113 days.[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") Since Montenegro had been unable to find a government which could command the confidence of the Parliament,[\[135\]](../../page/4/#ref-135 "note 135") [Abazović](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abazović) remained in his post until the [Spajić Cabinet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spajić_Cabinet) had been formed after the [Parliamentary election which took place on 11 June 2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Montenegrin_parliamentary_election), where the [Europe Now!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe_Now!) party led by [Milojko Spajić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milojko_Spajić) won the most seats.[\[136\]](../../page/4/#ref-136 "note 136")[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") In October 2023, a new minority government with [confidence and supply](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confidence_and_supply) support from [ZBCG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_Future_of_Montenegro) enabled [Milojko Spajić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milojko_Spajić) to become the new prime minister.[\[137\]](../../page/4/#ref-137 "note 137")[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Administrative divisions Main article: [Municipalities of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Montenegro), [List of regions of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regions_of_Montenegro) Montenegro is divided into twenty-five municipalities ([opština](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Montenegro)).[\[138\]](../../page/4/#ref-138 "note 138")[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") Each municipality can contain multiple cities and towns.[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") Historically, the territory of the country was divided into [nahije](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahije) and during the beginning of [SR Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR_Montenegro) was divided into counties ([srez](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srez)).[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") Regions of Montenegro—designed for statistical purposes by the Statistical Office—have no administrative function.[225](../../225/ "tree and pragmatics") Note that other organizations (i.e. [Football Association of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_Association_of_Montenegro)) use different municipalities as a part of similar regions.[226](../../226/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Northern Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Montenegro)[227](../../227/ "tree and pragmatics") - Municipality; Area; Population[228](../../228/ "tree and pragmatics") - Km2; Rank; Total; Rank[229](../../229/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Andrijevica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrijevica); 283; 12; 5,117; 10[230](../../230/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Berane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berane); 544; 6; 28,305; 3[231](../../231/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Bijelo Polje](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijelo_Polje); 924; 2; 46,676; 1[232](../../232/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Gusinje](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gusinje); 486; 8; 13,108; 6[233](../../233/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Kolašin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolašin); 897; 3; 8,420; 8[234](../../234/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Mojkovac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojkovac); 367; 11; 8,669; 7[235](../../235/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Petnjica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petnjica); 173; 13; 6,686; 9[236](../../236/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Plav](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plav,_Montenegro); 486; 7; 13,549; 5[237](../../237/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Plužine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plužine); 854; 4; 3,286; 12[238](../../238/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Pljevlja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pljevlja); 1,346; 1; 31,060; 2[239](../../239/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Rožaje](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rožaje); 432; 10; 23,312; 4[240](../../240/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Šavnik](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Šavnik); 553; 5; 2,077; 13[241](../../241/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Žabljak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Žabljak); 445; 9; 3,599; 11[242](../../242/ "tree and pragmatics") - Central Region[243](../../243/ "tree and pragmatics") - Municipality; Area; Population[244](../../244/ "tree and pragmatics") - Km2; Rank; Total; Rank[245](../../245/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Cetinje](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetinje); 899; 3; 16,757; 4[246](../../246/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Danilovgrad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danilovgrad); 501; 4; 17,678; 3[247](../../247/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Nikšić](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikšić); 2,065; 1; 72,824; 2[248](../../248/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Podgorica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podgorica) [corpus](../../../Podgorica/ "in our corpus"); 1,399; 2; 187,085; 1[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Tuzi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuzi); 236; 5; 12,096; 5[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Coastal Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_Montenegro)[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") - Municipality; Area; Population[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") - Km2; Rank; Total; Rank[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Bar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar,_Montenegro); 598; 1; 42,368; 1[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Budva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budva); 122; 5; 19,170; 5[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Herceg Novi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herceg_Novi); 235; 4; 30,992; 2[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Kotor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotor); 335; 2; 22,799; 3[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Tivat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tivat); 46; 6; 14,111; 6[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Ulcinj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulcinj); 255; 3; 20,265; 4[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Foreign relations See also: [Foreign relations of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Montenegro) The [Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_%28Montenegro%29) was given the task of defining the foreign policy priorities and activities needed for their implementation in cooperation with other state administration authorities, the President, the Speaker of the Parliament, and other relevant stakeholders.[\[139\]](../../page/4/#ref-139 "note 139")[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") The country joined [NATO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO) on 5 June 2017.[\[140\]](../../page/4/#ref-140 "note 140")[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") [Integration into the European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accession_of_Montenegro_to_the_European_Union) remains a high-priority for Montenegro and has been the focus of Montenegrin foreign policy since its independence from Serbia.[\[141\]](../../page/4/#ref-141 "note 141")[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") In June 2023, newly elected President Milatović stated that he expects Montenegro to [join the European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accession_of_Montenegro_to_the_European_Union) by 2027 or 2028.[\[142\]](../../page/4/#ref-142 "note 142")[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") In April 2026, the EU Ambassadors in Brussels approved the start of preparations for the accession agreement for Montenegro to the Union[\[143\]](../../page/4/#ref-143 "note 143").[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Law Main article: [Constitution of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Montenegro) The current [Constitution of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Montenegro) was ratified and adopted by the [Constitutional Parliament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Montenegro) of Montenegro on 19 October 2007 in a session by achieving the required two-thirds [supermajority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermajority) of votes.[\[144\]](../../page/4/#ref-144 "note 144")[\[145\]](../../page/4/#ref-145 "note 145")[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") It was officially proclaimed on 22 October 2007.[\[146\]](../../page/4/#ref-146 "note 146")[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") The Constitution defines Montenegro as a civic, [democratic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy) and [environmentally friendly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentally_friendly) country with [social justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice), established by the [sovereign rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_rights) of its government.[\[147\]](../../page/4/#ref-147 "note 147")[\[148\]](../../page/4/#ref-148 "note 148")[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") The judiciary in Montenegro is composed of several courts, with the Supreme Court being the highest judicial authority.[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") It oversees the uniform application of laws.[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") Administrative Courts handle disputes related to public administration.[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") The judiciary also includes Basic Courts (for minor civil and criminal cases), High Courts (for more serious cases and appeals), and the Appellate Court for reviewing lower court decisions.[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Constitutional Court of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Court_of_Montenegro) is a separate body, tasked with safeguarding the constitution by reviewing laws and acts of public authorities to ensure their compliance with the Constitution.[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") Judges in Montenegro are appointed by the Judicial Council and serve until the age of 67.[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") The [President of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Montenegro) appoints judges upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council.[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") Additionally, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro (Ombudsman) is appointed by the Parliament for a six-year term, ensuring the protection of human rights and social justice.[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") Discrimination on the basis of both [sexual orientation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation) and [gender identity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_identity) is banned in employment, the provision of goods and services, education and health services.[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") Montenegro also possesses [hate crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_crime) and [hate speech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech) laws which include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds of non-discrimination.[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") Since 15 July 2021, same-sex couples may register their relationship as a [Life Partnership](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Montenegro).[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Law enforcement, security and emergency services Main article: [Police Directorate of Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Directorate_of_Montenegro) Law enforcement in Montenegro is carried out by several agencies under the [Ministry of Interior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Interior_%28Montenegro%29).[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") Civil law enforcement in Montenegro is primarily the responsibility of the Police Directorate, the national police force.[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") [Municipal police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_police), known as Communal Police, enforce local laws in their respective municipalities.[\[149\]](../../page/4/#ref-149 "note 149")[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") Law enforcement in Montenegro is carried out by several agencies under the [Ministry of Interior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Interior_%28Montenegro%29).[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") The primary law enforcement body is the Montenegrin Police Directorate, responsible for crime investigation, maintaining public order, and general law enforcement.[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") The Municipal Police assist with local law enforcement tasks, primarily focusing on traffic regulation and minor public order issues.[\[150\]](../../page/4/#ref-150 "note 150")[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") Private security firms operate in Montenegro but have no legal authority to arrest or detain suspects.[285](../../285/ "tree and pragmatics") The [National Security Agency (ANB)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Agency_%28Montenegro%29) is responsible for counterintelligence and internal security, while Interpol Montenegro collaborates with international agencies to counter transnational crime.[286](../../286/ "tree and pragmatics") Special units within the police, such as the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SAJ), handle organized crime, terrorism, and high-risk operations.[287](../../287/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/page/4/) - ← previous: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/page/2/) - next →: [page 4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Montenegro/page/4/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)