Croatia recognizes Montenegro

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000721

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR REGIONAL ISSUES
SUBJECT: Croatia recognizes Montenegro



1. The Government of Croatia (GOC) convened an
extraordinary session on June 12 to recognize Montenegro as
an independent and sovereign state. The decision was
preceded by a meeting between President Mesic and Prime
Minister Sanader where the pair agreed that the GOC should
go ahead and recognize the neighboring country. While
recognizing Montenegro, Prime Minister Sanader asked its
government to take care of the Croatian minority there,
noting also that "we are aware of the fact that Montenegro
was part of the aggression on Croatia, but we are glad to
hear voices coming out of Montenegro expressing regret."


2. In its decision, the GOC proposes establishment of
diplomatic relations, voices readiness to develop good
neighborly relations and expresses its conviction that the
future relations will be based on the Euro-Atlantic values
and standards. The GOC also reminds Montenegro of its
obligation to cooperate with The Hague-based ICTY, and
invokes the need for dialogue toward ending the provisional
regime on the border (Prevlaka).


3. In a separate statement, the GOC acknowledged that the
Republic of Serbia as successor to the international legal
sovereignty of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
The GOC also stated its intention to continue developing
good neighborly relations with Serbia, hoping that the
process of dissociation of Serbia-Montenegro would be
conducted in a constructive way, taking into account the
succession process of the former Socialist Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia.

FRANK