http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Montenegro_secedes_from_SerbiaMay 22, 2006 After a referendum, the Montenegro region of Serbia and Montenegro declares independence to form the new Republic of Montenegro. Unlike other Balkan states such as Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia, Montenegro has achieved independence without violence. "I am convinced Montenegro could be the next country from this region to join the European Union, after Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, which are further along the process," says Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who has promoted Montenegro's independence. It is also predicted that Montenegro will join the United Nations in September.
The referendum, with an 86.3% voter turnout, had a 55.4% approval for the secession, which satisfies the European Union's minimum 55% approval. With a population of 650,000, Montenegro is the world's newest country. Serbia reluctantly agreed to the split, and the European Union approved. Despite expectations, there were no riots that night; however, early celebrations had occured in the capital Podgorica based off of expected results.
This is the first time Montenegro has been independent since 1918, when Montenegro and Serbia joined Yugoslavia. By the early 1990s, Yugoslavia had split up into smaller nations.
Some analysts note that Serbia and Montenegro had never been literally united. Before the referendum, each republic had seperate anthems, laws, and currencies and their joint parliament did not meet very often.
Tópico: Yugoslavia IS NO MORE (Lida 458 vezes)