Montenegro

Montenegro is the world’s newest independent country. Located in south-eastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia, Montenegro has a population of just over 630,000.

An independent country since the late Middle Ages, Montenegro lost its autonomy after World War I, when it was absorbed into Yugoslavia and eventually into the state union of Serbia and Montenegro.

The country regained its independence, however, following a referendum held on 21 May 2006. 86.5 per cent of those eligible to vote turned out - and 55.4 per cent of them voted yes to Independence.

Two days later, on the 23rd May, the UN Security Council, including the UK, recognised the preliminary referendum results and indicated that Montenegrin independence should be recognised following a declaration of Independence.

On the 3rd June Independence was officially declared.

On the 6th June the President of Montenegro began the process of international recognition, writing to the UN asking that Montenegro be accepted as a member state.

On the 12th June the European Union recognised Montenegro as an independent nation and continued negotiations with Montenegro on its possible accession – negotiations that were previously taking place with Serbia and Montenegro as one nation.

On 15th June Serbia formally accepted the decision of the Montenegrin people and recognised Montenegro as an independent nation, proclaiming Serbia itself an independent nation.

On the 21st June – exactly one month after the referendum - the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe took in Montenegro.

On the 29th June 2006 Montenegro became the 192nd member of the United Nations.

From referendum to UN membership, it took Montenegro only 40 days to become a fully independent sovereign state.

Since Independence Montenegro has made good progress in establishing a new parliament – holding its first elections in September - and constitution and may be allowed to join the Council of Europe as early as next year. And, with the IMF estimating growth rates of up to 5.5 per cent for the Montenegrin economy, the future looks bright.

Montenegro shows us just how easy it can be to become an independent country. 40 days is all it took for Montenegro to regain her freedom.

It could be Scotland next.