Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro visits Brezovik military facility

In the framework of the OSCE project “Mitigation of Safety and Security Risks related to small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition in Montenegro”, the Head of the Mission to Montenegro, Dominique Waag, visited Brezovik military facility on 3 October, to see first-hand the results of the support provided by the Mission since 2007.

Major Dragan Rašković, Commander of Brezovik and Taraš ammunition sites, welcomed Ambassador Waag to the facility where she observed an ammunition inspection course conducted by the Austrian Armed Forces through the OSCE project.  The visit included a tour through an ammunition storage house.

“The OSCE appreciates the results of its long-term partnership with the Ministry of Defence, focused on reducing the risk of unplanned explosion at munitions sites and ensuring safe storage of small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition,” said Ambassador Waag.

She also met with Andreas Bloderer, representing the Austrian Military, the provider of capacity building training courses.

Through this project, 78 participants were trained on ammunition management. In addition, a further ten specialists from the Army, Air Force and Navy were trained on the handling and transportation of explosives, as well as the development of a rulebook to support Ministries of Defence and Interior establish a system to classify ammunition in Montenegro.

The Head of Mission concluded the visit by reemphasising the commitment from the Mission to assist in lifecycle management of ammunition for the benefit of all stakeholders.

This project is funded by the government of Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Montenegro, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland.