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Meijer on EP delegation to monitor Sunday's r
David Lundy - 25.05.2006 16:20
On Sunday the 21st of May the people of Montenegro will vote in a referendum on the future of their country.
NEWS UPDATE
FROM THE GUE/NGL GROUP
19-05-06 Brussels
European Parliament sends delegation to monitor Sunday's referendum in Montenegro
On Sunday the 21st of May the people of Montenegro will vote in a referendum on the future of their country. The question is whether the country should become independent from Serbia. Dutch MEP Erik Meijer will represent the GUE/NGL group on the European Parliament delegation that will go to Montenegro to monitor whether the referendum proceeds in a fair and peaceful manner.
According to the constitution of the State Union between Serbia and Montenegro, both member states have the right to secede. Under the supervision of the European Union it was decided that at least 55 percent of the voters must vote for independence, otherwise the result will not be acknowledged. "There is a chance that 53 percent will be for an independent Montenegro and despite the fact that they constitute a majority, it will not be enough to secure independence. I can only fear what will happen in that case" said Meijer.
The political situation in Montenegro is very tense and polarised. The governing Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) wants independence but the opposition parties are strongly against this separation. They think the Montenegrin government should first solve its internal problems, such as high unemployment and the situation of minorities. Furthermore they consider that independence might slow down accession negotiations with the EU. However, those in favour of separation assume that independence will give Montenegro a better chance of entering the EU, now the accession negotiations with Serbia have been postponed.
Erik Meijer welcomes the fact that the European Parliament will monitor the referendum on Sunday. Both the government and the opposition in Montenegro refuse to make any political statements about the possible outcome.
Contact details in Montenegro:
Erik Meijer MEP: 0031-651152982
Koen Roovers (assistant): 0031-628428711
Brussels Office: 0032-22847492
GUE/NGL Press
Gianfranco Battistini +32 475 64 66 28
David Lundy +32 485 50 58 12
WWW.GUENGL.ORG
 Website: http://www.guengl.org
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