OSCE Head of Mission in Belgrade congratulates Montenegrin officials

BELGRADE, 7 June 2006 - Following the declaration of independence adopted in the Montenegrin Parliament, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro, Ambassador Hans Ola Urstad, has extended his congratulations to the most senior Montenegrin officials on the conduct and the outcome of the Montenegrin referendum on State-legal status.

"It is now crucial that the dialogue on shaping future relations between Montenegro and Serbia continues and intensifies," he added.

In his congratulatory letters, Ambassador Urstad acknowledged that the people of Montenegro expressed themselves peacefully and according to agreed rules and procedures.

He also reiterated the OSCE's readiness to continue its active engagement on the ground to assist Montenegro, as well as Serbia, in their process of democratic reforms. He pointed out that both states need to continue with these reforms in light of the common strategic goal of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The letters were sent to the Republic of Montenegro's Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, President Filip Vujanovic, Foreign Minister Miodrag Vlahovic, and Ranko Krivokapic, President of the Montenegrin Parliament.