Serbia to acknowledge own statehood

Serbia’s parliament will today convene in Belgrade to proclaim the Balkan republic a sovereign state, following tiny Montenegro’s decision to split from a joint union and dissolve what was left of Yugoslavia.

The Serbian politicians will meet for a special, ten-minute session, to acknowledge that their state is the heir to the Serbia-Montenegro union – the last shred of what was once a six-member Yugoslav federation.

“Serbia, as the legal heir to the state union, must formally take over, or inherit, what it has created,” said the parliament speaker, Predrag Markovic.

Markovic explained that the assembly would also instruct all state institutions to wrap up Serbia’s statehood within the next 45 days, including assuming the duties and responsibilities previously in the hands of the federal administration.

Montenegro’s declaration of independence has set in motion the process of splitting up and reorganising armed forces, diplomatic missions, common assets and responsibilities.