Brussels, 23/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - After the first on-the-spot reactions on 22 May from Javier Solana and a spokesman from the European Commission (see EUROPE 9197), the Austrian EU Presidency published, on 23 May, the following official declaration on the result of the referendum on Montenegro's independence. The declaration is on behalf of the EU as well as acceding countries (Bulgaria, Romania), candidate countries (Turkey, Croatia, FYROM), Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine, Moldova and the EFTA countries. “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”.
EU Enlargement Commissioner also stressed in a press release published on Tuesday that the “The European perspective is open to Montenegro - as it is to Serbia - once it fulfils the various criteria, in particular the cooperation with ICTY”.
On Monday, the international referendum observer mission (composed of 365 observers) had concluded that the vote had on the whole taken place in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments.