BELGRADE, June 15: The Serbian government recognised newly independent Montenegro on Thursday, and said it would establish diplomatic ties with its former partner in the now defunct Serbia-Montenegro union.
Montenegro declared independence from Serbia on June 3, after its citizens supported the split by a slim margin in a May 21 referendum.
“Conditions have been created for the government of Serbia ... to recognize the Republic of Montenegro and establish diplomatic ties,” which would “help contribute to developing friendly and good neighbourly relations,” the Serbian government said in a statement.
In Podgorica, Montenegro’s leaders hailed the Serbian government move.
“We are pleased that this necessary act was finally made,” Foreign Minister Miodrag Vlahovic said. “I would like to confirm our readiness and determination to develop good neighbourly relations with the Republic of Serbia, our closest neighbour.” Vlahovic also said he will visit Belgrade next week.
Serbian President Boris Tadic wrote to his Montenegrin counterpart, Filip Vujanovic, to inform him of the recognition.—AP
