Serbia and Montenegro - Foreign policy

In April 2002, only three years after NATO's 78-day bombing campaign against the former Yugoslavia, the country initiated steps toward joining a program called the NATO Partnership for Peace Program. The program permits a country to participate in certain NATO activities for military cooperation without becoming a NATO member—although eventual membership is understood as a goal. As of May 2003, Serbia and Montenegro still desired accession to the Partnership for Peace.

The fact that Miloševic is standing trial for crimes against humanity in The Hague has done much to enhance Serbia and Montenegro's standing with the international community. There is pressure on the country to arrest and bring to trial other individuals indicted for war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia. The degree to which Marovic can facilitate the redress of past injustices in Serbia and Montenegro will be a test of his leadership.

Serbia and Montenegro is taking part in the EU's Stabilization and Association process—a framework by which assistance, technical advice, trade preferences, cooperation in the fields of justice and domestic affairs, and political negotiations prepare the country for closer economic and political association with the EU. Montenegro became the de facto thirteenth member of the euro zone when it adopted the currency in January 2002.