France To Help Montenegro Tackle Winter Weather

The French government has agreed to help Montenegro with its severe winter weather crisis following Podgorica's request for aid from NATO.

France's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said on Thursday it had approved 10,000 euros immediately to assist with operations to assist and evacuate people affected by the heavy snow and low temperatures, primarily in the remote and mountainous north.

The French embassy will agree with Montenegrin authorities on supplies to be acquired as a matter of urgency to help with these operations, the ministry said.

The heavy snow and low temperatures have caused many problems in Montenegro, prompting the country's Council for Security and Defence to declare a state of emergency on Saturday under a special fast-track procedure.

Travel between villages and urban centres is difficult because of lying snow, which in some places is higher than two meters. Many roads are still closed, while the railways are paralysed.

On Monday afternoon, special police forces rescued 80 people from a train which had been stuck for more than two days in Trebesica station in the north of the country. The high-risk rescue operation, using helicopter and special police forces, was disrupted several times by the bad weather.

Greece and Slovenia have already sent helicopters and rescue teams that are taking part, together with Montenegrin helicopter units, in the distribution of emergency supplies and rescue operations.

NATO membership is among the top priorities of Montenegro's ruling elite. The country became a member of the alliance's Partnership for Peace programme in 2006, which is seen as a stepping stone to joining NATO.