Luxemburg, 13/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - Following the referendum in Montenegro on 21 May, which ended the union of Serbia and Montenegro and on the adoption by the Montenegro Parliament of a declaration on the Independence of the Republic of Montenegro, on Monday the External Relations Council adopted conclusions stating that the “European Union and its Member States have decided that they will develop further their relations with the Republic of Montenegro as a sovereign, independent State, taking full account of the referendum result”. Additionally, the “Council calls on Serbia and Montenegro to pursue a direct and constructive dialogue on their future relations”, and gives assurances that the European Union “stands ready to support this dialogue”.