Montenegro told to forget independence


Djukanovic (left) and Kostunica failed to agree during talks last week

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Union has urged Serbia's smaller sister republic Montenegro to remain within a re-negotiated Yugoslav federation.

Foreign ministers of the 15-member EU said Serbia and Montenegro must decide on a new constitutional arrangement "within an overall federal framework."

In a statement issued at their first regular meeting of the year, they said the EU "underlines the importance of avoiding any unilateral action (and) reaffirms its conviction that any re-negotiation of the federal relationship must be consistent with the internal stability" of Yugoslavia.

Serbia and Montenegro are the only republics left in federal Yugoslavia after the secession of four others, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia, between 1991 and 1992.

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Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic wants Montenegro to break away from the existing federation, then negotiate a much looser confederate arrangement, sharing only foreign affairs and defence with Serbia.

Yugoslav President Voljislav Kostunica is against any break-up and favours a much closer relationship that would include economic affairs.

Talks last week between the two failed to come to an agreement.

In published comments last Friday, Kostunica pledged to use "all democratic and legal means" to try and prevent the secession of Montenegro.

He ruled out the use of force and the Yugoslav weekly Nin also quoted him as saying he would respect the will of Montenegrins if they voted to break away.

The EU said in its statement that any settlement must be "acceptable" to both parties.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Branko Lukovac criticised his perception that the EU had sided with Serbia in the debate over Yugoslavia's future.

"We are surprised the statement refers to proposals and the interests of only one side, thus objectively making the talks more difficult because the EU, as a very important factor, is siding with one party and favouring its proposals."

He added: "We think in the coming phase the EU should take equally into account all choices, arguments and stands, both those of Montenegro and of Serbia."

But Svetozar Marovic, Montenegrin parliament speaker, said the republic must consider "the suggestions and concerns of the international community."

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.