Montenegro's parliament on Friday supported the Balkan country's membership in NATO in a historic turn toward the West amid protests by Russia and the pro-Russia opposition.

Lawmakers voted 46-0 in the capital of Cetinje to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. They then stood up and applauded the decision.

The parliament has 81 members, but pro-Russia opposition lawmakers boycotted the session. Several hundred opposition supporters gathered outside the hall before the vote.

Montenegro has a small military of around 2,000 troops, but it is strategically positioned to give NATO full control over the Adriatic Sea. The other Adriatic nations — Albania, Croatia and Italy — already are in the alliance.

Russia has been angered by NATO's expansion to Montenegro, which is in Moscow's traditional area of interest. Montenegro has accused Russia of being behind a foiled Election Day coup in October allegedly designed to throw the country off its path toward NATO. Russia has denied the accusation.

Prime Minister Dusko Markovic told lawmakers that NATO membership was a guarantee for Montenegro's future security, economic progress and regional stability.

"This assembly and its members have a historic privilege to make a decision that will be remembered as long as there is Montenegro and Montenegrins," Markovic said. "This day will be marked among the brightest in our history."

Markovic's predecessor, Milo Djukanovic, who was the head of government during the alleged coup attempt that reportedly included plans for his assassination, said joining NATO was the most important decision in recent history.

"After long suffering and roaming through history, (Montenegro) is finally in the position where it logically, historically, civilization-wise and culturally belongs," Djukanovic said.

Anti-NATO demonstrators chanted "Treason!" and "Thieves!" and burned a NATO flag during the protest outside parliament before peacefully dispersing. A banner read: "NATO murderers, your hands are bloody!"

"I feel humiliated because others are making a decision in my name," former Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic said. "What is happening now is triumph by force and lies!"

Opposition leaders said they don't recognize the parliamentary ratification of the NATO accession and will call a referendum on the issue, if they come to power in the future.

The country of 620,000 has been historically divided between pursuing pro-Western policies and sticking to an alliance with Orthodox Christian allies Serbia and Russia.

Both Russia and the pro-Russia opposition in Montenegro also have evoked the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 —which included Serbia and Montenegro at the time — as a reason to stay out of the alliance.

Markovic said Montenegro was drawn into Serbia's war with NATO and that membership in the alliance would help prevent anything like that from happening again.

"NATO and the EU have always been and remain a guarantee of stability and security and cooperation and the main basis for peace in Europe," Markovic said. "It is about what kind of future we choose for us and generations to come," he said.

Montenegro was formally invited to join NATO in December 2015. Markovic said 27 out of 28 NATO member states have ratified Montenegro's entry protocol and Spain would do so in the coming weeks.

Montenegro gained independence from Serbia in 2006.</s>CETINJE, Montenegro (AP) - Montenegrin lawmakers are set to ratify the Balkan country's membership in NATO on Friday and make a historic turn toward the West despite protests from traditional ally Russia and pro-Russian opposition.

The Montenegrin parliament will convene in the historic capital of Cetinje to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. Police have deployed in the town as opposition parties announced they will boycott the session and hold a demonstration instead.

Montenegro's pro-NATO government has urged lawmakers to approve the entry protocol. Officials said that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

The government said: "In the current geopolitical environment, Montenegro must rationally look at all options and make a decision that will best protect its national, security and economic interests."

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in Montenegro, Moscow's traditional zone of interest. Montenegro has accused Russia of being behind a foiled election-day coup in October allegedly designed to throw the country off its path toward NATO. Russia has denied this.

Montenegro has a small military of some 2,000 troops, but it is strategically positioned to give NATO full control over the Adriatic Sea - the other Adriatic nations, Albania, Croatia and Italy, are already in the alliance.

The country of 620,000 has been historically divided between pursuing pro-Western policies and sticking to an alliance with Orthodox Christian allies Serbia and Russia. Montenegro gained independence from Serbia in 2006.</s>Montenegro's parliament is expected to ratify a pact on NATO membership for the Balkan country, marking a historic turn toward the West amid protests from traditional ally Russia and the country's pro-Russian political opposition.

Lawmakers were set to convene at 2 p.m. local time (1200 GMT/UTC) to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. Opposition parties said they would boycott the session.

Several hundred opposition supporters gathered outside parliament before the session, some chanting "Treason!" and "Thieves!" as lawmakers from the ruling pro-NATO coalition arrived for the vote. A banner read, "NATO murderers, your hands are bloody!"

The government has urged lawmakers to approve the admission protocol. Officials have said that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits for the former Yugoslav republic of 645,000.

"In the current geopolitical environment, Montenegro must rationally look at all options and make a decision that will best protect its national, security, and economic interests," the government has said.

Montenegro is expected to become a full-fledged member of the alliance by the time of the NATO summit on May 25.

Two NATO countries -- Spain and the Netherlands -- must give final approval to Montenegro's accession before it can become NATO's 29th member.

Spain's upper house of parliament still has to ratify the move. The Dutch Senate approved it on March 23, but the decision will not be official until a two-month period for a potential referendum expires.

Russia has been angered by mostly Slavic, Orthodox Christian Montenegro's bid to join NATO.

Earlier this month, Montenegrin prosecutors formally charged 14 people, including two Russians and two opposition leaders, with plotting to overthrow the government last year.

A Podgorica court on April 13 said lawmakers Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic of the Democratic Front, two Russians, nine Serbian citizens, and one other Montenegrin were charged with "creating a criminal organization."

The Russians were also charged with "terrorism."

The court will decide on May 5 whether to accept the indictments.

Montenegrin officials allege that Serbian and Russian nationalists plotted to take over parliament during the October 2016 parliamentary elections, assassinate then-Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, and install a pro-Russian leadership to halt Montenegro's bid to join NATO.

Prosecutors said the Russians, identified as Eduard Shishmakov and Vladimir Popov, were based in Serbia and were allowed by authorities there to return to Russia. They remain at large.

Accused lawmaker Mandic on April 13 called the charges "a staged political process against the opposition."

Montenegro's special prosecutor has said "Russian state bodies" were involved in the alleged coup, something Russia denies.

With reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AP</s>CETINJE, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegrin lawmakers are set to ratify the Balkan country’s membership in NATO on Friday and make a historic turn toward the West amid protests from traditional ally Russia and the pro-Russia opposition.

The Montenegrin parliament will convene in the historic capital of Cetinje to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. Several hundred pro-Russia opposition supporters rallied in protest outside the hall before the session.

Demonstrators chanted “Treason!” and “Thieves!” as lawmakers from the ruling pro-NATO coalition arrived for the vote. A banner read: “NATO murderers, your hands are bloody!”

“I feel humiliated because others are making a decision in my name,” former Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic said. “What is happening now is the triumph by force and lies!”

Montenegro’s pro-NATO government has urged lawmakers to approve the entry protocol. Officials said that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

The government said: “In the current geopolitical environment, Montenegro must rationally look at all options and make a decision that will best protect its national, security and economic interests.”

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in Montenegro, Moscow’s traditional zone of interest. Montenegro has accused Russia of being behind a foiled election-day coup in October allegedly designed to throw the country off its path toward NATO. Russia has denied this.

Montenegro has a small military of around 2,000 troops, but it is strategically positioned to give NATO full control over the Adriatic Sea — the other Adriatic nations, Albania, Croatia and Italy, are already in the alliance.

The country of 620,000 has been historically divided between pursuing pro-Western policies and sticking to an alliance with Orthodox Christian allies Serbia and Russia. Montenegro gained independence from Serbia in 2006.</s>CETINJE, Montenegro — Montenegrin lawmakers are set to ratify the Balkan country's membership in NATO and make a historic turn toward the West despite protests from traditional ally Russia and pro-Russian opposition.

The Montenegrin parliament will convene later on Friday to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. Opposition parties say they will boycott the session and hold a demonstration instead.

Montenegro's pro-NATO government has urged lawmakers to approve the entry protocol. Officials have said that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

The government says: "In the current geo-political environment, Montenegro must rationally look at all options and make a decision that will best protect its national, security and economic interests."

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in Montenegro, Moscow's traditional zone of interest.</s>PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's pro-Russia opposition has vowed to freeze the Balkan country's future membership in NATO if it wins the next parliamentary election, saying upcoming approval of the accession treaty is illegal.

Opposition lawmakers also pledged at an "alternative" assembly session Wednesday in a northern village that if they win the 2021 election they will organize a referendum on Montenegro's status in NATO.

Prime Minister Dusko Markovic has dismissed the opposition declarations as a "show."

Montenegro's parliament is set to ratify the NATO entry treaty on Friday amid opposition boycott and protests.

Montenegro's NATO bid has angered Russia, which views the Adriatic state as a traditional ally. Montenegro has accused Russia of being behind a foiled coup attempt in October aimed at diverting the NATO accession.</s>PODGORICA, Montenegro — Montenegro is set to formally approve becoming a member of NATO on Friday, a move seen as historic for the Balkan country long considered a traditional Russian ally in the turbulent region.

Montenegro, like the rest of the Balkans, has been caught in a battle of influence between the West and Russia. Montenegrin government officials argue that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

"The decision is historic because it changes completely the foreign policy context in which Montenegro has existed," historian Boban Batricevic said. "It will be viewed as the start of a new era for our nation."

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in its zone of interest. Montenegro says Russia was behind a foiled election-day coup in October allegedly designed to avert the NATO path.

Both Russia and pro-Russian opposition in Montenegro have evoked the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 — made up of Serbia and Montenegro at the time — over Kosovo as a reason to stay out of the alliance.

Although its army is small, with only 2,000 troops, Montenegro is important for NATO because it will provide the remaining access to the Adriatic Sea.

WHEN IS THE PARLIAMENTARY VOTE?

Montenegrin lawmakers will vote on the accession protocol on Friday. No surprises are expected, as the ruling pro-NATO coalition holds a majority of seats. Pro-Russian opposition will boycott the session but plan protests outside the parliament building. The opposition says the parliamentary approval will be illegal and have insisted on a referendum instead.

WHY IS MONTENEGRO IMPORTANT FOR NATO?

Montenegro's small military won't contribute much. But the country is strategically positioned to give NATO full control over the Adriatic Sea — other Adriatic nations Albania, Croatia and Italy are already in the alliance. This is something Russia has tried to achieve in the past as it sought to gain access to the so-called "warm seas" in the Adriatic. Backing Montenegro also sends a message to Russia that the U.S. and its allies will push back against Russian efforts to increase its influence in Europe. Russia has been looking to boost its interference in the Balkans, primarily with its only remaining ally Serbia, and in Serb-held areas of Bosnia and Kosovo.

WHAT DOES MOSCOW SAY?

Moscow has described Montenegro's joining NATO as "profoundly erroneous" and against the interests of the nation. Russia has said the move will mean worsening stability for the Balkans and the rest of Europe. Russia has been accused by Montenegro of sending operatives to try and orchestrate the foiled coup in October, including plans to kill then-prime minister Milo Djukanovic and take over power. Moscow has denied this, but it has actively supported the anti-NATO opposition and backed calls for a referendum on NATO ties.

WHY IS NATO MEMBERSHIP SEEN AS HISTORIC FOR MONTENEGRO?

Montenegro is a small country of some 620,000 people, squeezed between the Adriatic Sea and towering mountains to the north. It has been historically divided between pursuing pro-Western policies and sticking to an alliance with Orthodox Christian allies Serbia and Russia. Montenegro's longtime leader Djukanovic has taken a decisive turn toward the West after regaining independence for Montenegro from Serbia in 2006. Djukanovic is adamant that siding with the West over Russia will bring stability and shield Montenegro from becoming a victim of global power games in the Balkans.

WILL MONTENEGRO BECOME A NATO MEMBER IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VOTE?

Not automatically. It could take a few more months. Montenegro was first invited to join in December 2015, and it formally becomes a member once parliaments of all 28 member states and Montenegro itself have ratified the accession protocol. Most countries have done so in recent months, including the United States. The U.S. Senate gave crucial backing to Montenegro's accession last month and President Donald Trump signed the ratification.</s>CETINJE, Montenegro (AP) — The Latest on Montenegro and NATO membership (all times local):

Lawmakers in Montenegro have ratified the membership treaty with NATO, taking a historic turn toward the West despite protests from Russia and the pro-Russian opposition.

All 46 lawmakers present at the session voted in favor of Montenegro becoming a NATO member. The parliament has 81 seats but pro-Russia opposition lawmakers boycotted the session in the historic capital of Cetinje.

Prime Minister Dusko Markovic said earlier in a speech that NATO membership will present a guarantee for Montenegro’s future security, economic progress and regional stability.

Several hundred pro-Russia opposition supporters rallied in protest of the vote. Demonstrators burned a NATO flag and chanted “Treason” before peacefully dispersing.

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in Montenegro, Moscow’s traditional zone of interest. Montenegro has accused Russia of being behind a foiled election-day coup in October allegedly designed to throw the country off its path toward NATO. Russia has denied this.

Montenegro’s prime minister has urged lawmakers in to support NATO membership, saying that it will present a guarantee for Montenegro’s future security, economic progress and regional stability.

Dusko Markovic has told lawmakers during a speech in parliament that “this assembly and its members have a historic privilege to make a decision that will be remembered as long as there is Montenegro and Montenegrins.

He says that “this day will be marked among the brightest in our history.”

Pro-Russia opposition parties are boycotting the session and have held a demonstration instead.

Anti-NATO demonstrators chanted “Treason!” and “Thieves!” and burned a NATO flag during a protest before peacefully dispersing. A banner read: “NATO murderers, your hands are bloody!”

Montenegrin lawmakers are set to ratify the Balkan country’s membership in NATO and make a historic turn toward the West despite protests from traditional ally Russia and pro-Russian opposition.

The Montenegrin parliament will convene later on Friday to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. Opposition parties say they will boycott the session and hold a demonstration instead.

Montenegro’s pro-NATO government has urged lawmakers to approve the entry protocol. Officials have said that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

The government says: “In the current geo-political environment, Montenegro must rationally look at all options and make a decision that will best protect its national, security and economic interests.”

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in Montenegro, Moscow’s traditional zone of interest.</s>Montenegro’s parliament ratified the membership agreement with NATO on Friday, taking the former Yugoslav republic a step closer to becoming the 29th member of the alliance despite protests over its 1999 bombing campaign.

Outside the parliament, where 46 of 81 deputies voted in favour of the agreement, several hundred anti-NATO supporters burned the NATO flag and demand a referendum on membership.

Montenegro’s accession would mark the first expansion of NATO ranks into ex-Communist eastern Europe since its neighbours Albania and Croatia joined in 2009, and the first since relations between Russia and the West hit a post-Cold War low with the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

“NATO membership will provide a safer and better life for all citizens in Montenegro,” Prime Minister Dusko Markovic told the parliament session, held in the town of Cetinje, the royal seat of the mediaeval state.</s>CETINJE, Montenegro (AP) - The Latest on Montenegro and NATO membership (all times local):

Montenegro's prime minister has urged lawmakers in to support NATO membership, saying that it will present a guarantee for Montenegro's future security, economic progress and regional stability.

Dusko Markovic has told lawmakers during a speech in parliament that "this assembly and its members have a historic privilege to make a decision that will be remembered as long as there is Montenegro and Montenegrins.

He says that "this day will be marked among the brightest in our history."

Pro-Russia opposition parties are boycotting the session and have held a demonstration instead.

Anti-NATO demonstrators chanted "Treason!" and "Thieves!" and burned a NATO flag during a protest before peacefully dispersing. A banner read: "NATO murderers, your hands are bloody!"

Montenegrin lawmakers are set to ratify the Balkan country's membership in NATO and make a historic turn toward the West despite protests from traditional ally Russia and pro-Russian opposition.

The Montenegrin parliament will convene later on Friday to ratify the accession treaty with the Western military alliance. Opposition parties say they will boycott the session and hold a demonstration instead.

Montenegro's pro-NATO government has urged lawmakers to approve the entry protocol. Officials have said that joining NATO will bring stability and economic benefits after centuries of turmoil.

The government says: "In the current geo-political environment, Montenegro must rationally look at all options and make a decision that will best protect its national, security and economic interests."

Russia has been angered by NATO expansion in Montenegro, Moscow's traditional zone of interest.
The Parliament of Montenegro votes 46–0 to ratify Montenegro's membership of NATO, while opposition politicians boycott the vote and hold protests.