The Montenegrin Parliament officially declared the country’s independence at a ceremonial session held on June 3. The decision on independence was adopted at 20:28, immediately after the document was read by the President of the Assembly Ranko Krivokapić.
“That Montenegro is eternal. The citizens have returned the country once and for all,” said Krivokapić, after which the hall resounded with strong applause.
Afterwards, the Montenegrin flag was raised in front of the parliament building, to the sounds of the national anthem.
Photo: Agency Mapa
Deputies of the ruling coalition – the Democratic Party of Socialists and the Social Democratic Party – as well as representatives of the Civic Party, the Liberal Party, the Democratic Union of Albanians and the Democratic Alliance in Montenegro voted for the declaration of independence.
MPs from the Socialist People’s Party, the People’s Party, the Serbian People’s Party, the Democratic Serbian Party, and the former Liberal Alliance did not attend the session.
The Parliament also adopted the Declaration of Independence, which defines Montenegro as a sovereign state with full international legal subjectivity within the existing borders.
The session was attended by the President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović, Prime Minister Milo Đukanović with members of the Government, President of the former State Union Svetozar Marović, as well as the highest representatives of the judiciary. Slovenian representative Jelko Kacin attended the event as a representative of the President of the European Parliament.
At the beginning of the session, the Assembly confirmed the results of the referendum held on May 21, which were presented by the president of the Republican Referendum Commission, František Lipka. He pointed out that all key decisions were made by consensus, and that the referendum took place in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere. Lipka congratulated the citizens on their political maturity and expressed the hope that together they will continue the path towards European integration.
After the adoption of the Declaration, the European Union also spoke out, welcoming the decision made in accordance with the Constitutional Charter of the former state union of Serbia and Montenegro. The EU invited Belgrade and Podgorica to continue a direct and constructive dialogue on future relations, with the announcement that they will discuss the next steps at the meeting of the Council for Foreign and General Affairs scheduled for June 12.
Text of the Declaration of the Independent Republic of Montenegro
Starting from centuries of state independence and international recognition of the Principality of Montenegro at the Berlin Congress on July 13, 1878; Based on the freely expressed will of the citizens at the referendum on the legal status of the Republic of Montenegro held on May 21, 2006, which was conducted in accordance with international standards and in cooperation with the European Union;
Expressing commitment to maintaining and promoting international peace and stability, confirming readiness to respect the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, advocating for the resolution of international disputes by peaceful means, promoting friendly relations and cooperation with all countries on an equal basis;
Based on the Decision on the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Montenegro and Article 81, Item 2, of the Constitution of the Republic of Montenegro; The Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro, at the session held on June 3, 2006, passed:
Declaration of the Independent Republic of Montenegro
1. The Republic of Montenegro, an independent state with full international legal subjectivity, will continue to build itself as a civil state, a multinational, multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious society, based on respect and protection of human freedoms and rights, the rights of minorities, the principles of parliamentary democracy, the rule of law and market economy, which will be improved by the adoption of the new Constitution of the Republic of Montenegro.
2. Starting from the renewed state independence, the Republic of Montenegro:
– Accepting the principles established by the documents of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for European Security and Cooperation and other international organizations, will initiate the procedure for full membership in them;
– Accepts and assumes the rights and obligations arising from the previous arrangement with the European Union, the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Organization for European Security and Cooperation and other international organizations, which relate to Montenegro and which are in accordance with its legal order, providing full support for the work of their agencies and representative offices on their territory;
– Confirms accelerated integration into the European Union as a strategic priority and is determined to continue effectively fulfilling the conditions and requirements contained in the Copenhagen criteria and the Stabilization and Association Process;
– It is firmly committed to joining the European and Euro-Atlantic-NATO security structures and to continue contributing to strengthening regional stability and security;
– Committed to further progress in the process of accession to the World Trade Organization, is ready to fulfill the obligations arising from membership;
– Continue and improve existing cooperation with international financial institutions and initiate the procedure for regulating independent membership;
– It will respect the principles of international law, the decisions of the International Court of Justice and is determined to continue full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
3. The Republic of Montenegro will establish and develop bilateral relations with other countries based on the principles of international law, accepting the rights and obligations from the previous arrangements and continue with an active policy of good neighborliness and regional cooperation.
4. Confirming the good intentions, the Republic of Montenegro expresses a special interest and full readiness to settle the mutual rights and obligations with the Republic of Serbia and to develop good and friendly interstate relations.
5. The declaration will be published in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Montenegro”.
