Congrats to the newest European State

[deo]

... Montenegro!

The Pro-Independence Coalition won by 55.3% and so it reaches the minimum 55% set from the Eu.

 

[Winner]

It has not yet declared the independence.

 

[Grisu]

I smell a plot to get even more votes at the eurosong contest

 

[ComradeDavo]

It hasn't officially become a new state just yet, but by the look of things it will be

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5003220.stm

Montenegro has narrowly voted for independence from its union with Serbia, near-complete results say.
The head of the country's electoral commission said 55.4% of voters had voted to secede from Serbia, just above the 55% required for victory.

I'm glad to see the back of the last part of Yugoslavia.

GFrom what i've read about Montenegro, it shoudl do quite well by itself, especially if it can really develop it's tourism and attract people!

 

[Kyriakos]

Im not sure that 55% was high enough; perhaps it should have been 60% since now the country looks split in half.
For such an important decision surely they needed a bigger majority, 55-45 is civil war stats :/

Now Serbia doesnt have her own access to sea, although i suspect that most of her sea-trade will still be done through Montenegro.
What is also interesting is that, if you dont count the province of Voivodina (in the border with Hungary) Serbia is almost back to its pre balcan wars borders

 

[Mirc]

Hmm, instead of uniting, they are splitting!

 

[AceChilla]

I smell a plot to get even more votes at the eurosong contest

That must be it.

Congrats for the Montenegros

But it isn't a large majority at all, and kinda dangerous to declair independence when your country is so split on the issue and has a large Serbian Minority.

 

[Kyriakos]

Congrats for the Montenegros

It is Montenegrins Montenegro means "Blackmountain"

 

[AceChilla]

It is Montenegrins Montenegro means "Blackmountain"

I already had a suspicion it wasn't Montenegros, thanks for the correction.

 

[bhsup]

... Montenegro!

The Pro-Independence Coalition won by 55.3% and so it reaches the minimum 55% set from the Eu.

The EU decided at what percentage point Montenegro would be allowed to split?

 

[Lotus49]

Seems natural. Afterall, once upon a time, as a far as the former Yugoslavia goes, even when all else was either Ottoman, or Austrian, there was still Serbia, and Montenegro.

 

[ComradeDavo]

The EU decided at what percentage point Montenegro would be allowed to split?

Accoring to BBC the figure was 'proposed' by the EU. Given teh rather troubled history of the area, I think it's good that the EU gets actively involved.

 

[bhsup]

Accoring to BBC the figure was 'proposed' by the EU. Given teh rather troubled history of the area, I think it's good that the EU gets actively involved.

Don't get me wrong there. I wasn't being critical with that comment, I just wanted to make sure I was understanding what was going on, that's all. The Balkans are the EU's backyard, after all.

 

[ComradeDavo]

Don't get me wrong there. I wasn't being critical with that comment, I just wanted to make sure I was understanding what was going on, that's all. The Balkans are the EU's backyard, after all.

Plus I expect both Montenegro and Serbia will be EU members within 10-15 years.

 

[AceChilla]

Plus I expect both Montenegro and Serbia will be EU members within 10-15 years.

Yeah, stable states like those are always welcome. We gotta reward them for killing and ethnic clensing a lot less the last couple years.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

Yeah, stable states like those are always welcome. We gotta reward them for killing and ethnic clensing a lot less the last couple years.

I believe that part of the reason Montenagro wanted to split was because Serbia is unlikely to join the EU given it's poor attempts at capturing those responsible for the crimes you mention.

 

[ComradeDavo]

I believe that part of the reason Montenagro wanted to split was because Serbia is unlikely to join the EU given it's poor attempts at capturing those responsible for the crimes you mention.

Indeed.

Though I suspect that Serbia will eventually sort itself out and hand over all the war criminals.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

I hate to rain on the parade, but this seperation isnt going to prevent future violence, its going to directly lead to a new conflict.

 

[plarq]

Former Yugoslavia states need a permanent treaty about miltary, security and enviormental issues to prevent future troubles.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

I hate to rain on the parade, but this seperation isnt going to prevent future violence, its going to directly lead to a new conflict.

Predictions of violence in the Balkans, great prescience.