ABSTRACT
After independence, the task of building national security cohesion in Montenegro was directed by political and identity concerns, as well as by the absolute dominance of the longest-running regime in the Western Balkans, which was in power for three decades. Among all the current political and social threats to the stability of Montenegro, the most prominent are long-standing political tensions and social divisions, especially those associated with identity and religion. No less important are the threats of corruption and organised crime, which are directly linked to the democratic deficit and captured institutions. All these threats have been repeatedly reported by the European Commission and international institutions, and are obstacles to the progress of negotiations for EU accession. The EU enlargement perspective is crucial to the security and stability not only of Montenegro, but also of the whole Western Balkans region. Although external factors exert widespread influence in the region, through Euro-Atlantic integration Western Balkan states could become more resilient, prosperous democracies.
