NATO Helps Montenegro’s Fight Against Cold Weather

The two aircraft have already arrived in Montenegro and will be used to reach remote areas cut off by heavy snow.

The Montenegrin government sent a request for equipment to NATO on Monday. In addition to the helicopters, the country is mainly looking for chains for construction machinery and motorised sleighs.

Prime Minister Igor Luksic said some NATO members had shown a willingness to help Montenegro before the government even asked for assistance.

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. The council's move is expected to be approved by parliament on Tuesday.

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 highly risky rescue operation, using helicopter and special police forces, was disrupted several times by the bad weather.

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.

Neighbouring Kosovo has also asked NATO peacekeepers based there for help in dealing with its own severe weather problems including snowstorms and avalanches.