OSCE Chairman calls on Belgrade and Podgorica to continue dialogue after referendum

BRUSSELS, 22 May 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, today urged Belgrade and Podgorica to continue their dialogue on how to shape future relations following Sunday's referendum on the state-status of Montenegro.

He also called on all political forces in Montenegro and Serbia to accept the outcome of the referendum and to move on.

Minister De Gucht welcomed the very high turnout, which reflected voters' interest in the referendum, and welcomed the fact that the people of Montenegro were able to express themselves on this important issue in a referendum based on agreed rules and procedures.

"This vote is a clear example that political issues can be resolved by democratic means. I invite the leaders in Belgrade and Podgorica to consolidate this trend," said Minister De Gucht, adding that "all political forces need to co-operate in the interest of regional stability."

The Chairman-in-Office said the OSCE stood ready to continue its active engagement on the ground to assist both republics in their process of democratic reforms. "Those reforms need to continue in both republics as the strategic goal for Montenegro and Serbia is Euro-Atlantic integration."

According to the International Referendum Observation Mission that included the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and other international players, the referendum was in line with the OSCE and the Council of Europe's commitments as well as with other international standards for democratic electoral process.