Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union regarding the referendum in Montenegro

The European Union welcomes the successful organisation of the referendum on the independence of Montenegro. The EU notes the ODIHR assessment that the referendum was conducted overall in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and other international standards for democratic electoral processes. The conduct of the referendum was a sign of maturity of the political forces and people of Montenegro.

The EU calls on all sides concerned to accept the result. For its part, it will fully respect the decision of the people of Montenegro.

The European Union calls on Belgrade and Podgorica to take up, as rapidly as possible, a direct dialogue on the way ahead. The European Union stands ready to support this dialogue.

The European Union reconfirms the European perspective of the Western Balkans on the basis of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the

Stabilisation and Association Process.