Montenegro turned a sovereign state after simply over 55% of the inhabitants voted for independence in a referendum in Could 2006.
The vote heralded the top of the previous Union of Serbia and Montenegro, which had emerged from the remnants of the previous Yugoslavia simply three years earlier.
The EU-brokered settlement was meant to stabilize the area by assembly Montenegrin calls for for independence from Serbia and stopping additional adjustments to the Balkan borders.
The identical deal additionally laid the groundwork for the dissolution of the union. It stipulated that after three years the 2 republics may maintain referendums on whether or not it needs to be retained or abolished. Montenegro selected the latter.
Montenegro, which implies “Black Mountain,” borders Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Serbia’s breakaway province of Kosovo, and Albania. About half of it’s lined with dense forest.
The small republic contains an Adriatic coast, lowlands and excessive mountain ranges. The Tara Gorge is the deepest and longest in Europe.
REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO: FACTS
- Capital metropolis: Podgorica
- Space: 13,812 km²
- Inhabitants: 620,700
- Languages: Montenegrin, plus Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
- Life expectancy: 73 years (males) 78 years (ladies)
LEADER
President: Jakov Mliatovic
Montenegro's former economic system minister Jakov Milatovic received the second spherical of presidential elections in April 2023, defeating long-time incumbent Milo Djukanovic, who dominated Montenegrin politics for over 30 years.
Milatovic, the deputy chief of the Europe Now motion, campaigned on ending corruption, elevating dwelling requirements and enhancing relations with the EU and Serbia.
He helps Montenegro's accession to the European Union and advocates for nearer relations between Montenegro and Serbia. Milatovic helps sanctioning Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister: Dritan Abazovic
Dritan Abazovic took over as Prime Minister of Montenegro in April 2022. He leads the United Reform Motion celebration and was beforehand Deputy Prime Minister in Zdravko Krivokapic's cupboard from 2020 to 2022.
He was the primary ethnic Albanian to function Prime Minister of Montenegro.
The brand new authorities consisted of a broad coalition of pro-European and pro-Serbian events. Abazovic stated the federal government's predominant focus was on reforms required by the EU to permit Montenegro to use to hurry up its accession course of and on combating corruption.
In August 2022, Parliament handed a movement of no confidence in his authorities. He’ll stay in energy as appearing prime minister till a brand new authorities is fashioned.
Newspapers, the general public broadcaster RTCG and business tv and radio stations function in a crowded media market.
Branches from the neighboring international locations of Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia function within the nation.
TIMELINE
Some necessary dates within the historical past of Montenegro:
15th-18th century – Montenegro retains a major diploma of autonomy from the Ottoman Empire.
1798 – Montenegro is acknowledged as an impartial principality.
1878 – Recognition of Montenegrin independence by way of worldwide treaties.
1918 – After the First World Conflict, Montenegro turns into a part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
1929 – The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes is renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
[1945[1945– Montenegro, along with Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia, turns into one of many republics of the brand new Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia beneath Josip Broz Tito.
1991 – Milo Djukanovic turns into Montenegrin Prime Minister.
Montenegro helps union with Serbia, whereas Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia secede.
1992 – Montenegro joins Serbia within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Rising nationalist and independence actions result in bloody conflicts with Croats and Bosnian Muslims.
UN imposes sanctions in opposition to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
1997 – Milo Djukanovic defeats pro-Milosevic candidate in Montenegrin presidential election.
1999 – Milo Djukanovic declares Montenegro will not be a celebration to the Kosovo battle as a result of the actions of Serbian President Milosevic result in NATO air strikes there.
Montenegro abandons the dinar in favor of the German deutschmark.
2000 – Milosevic is overthrown in Belgrade by pro-Western reformers. The Montenegrin management is more and more striving for independence.
2002 – Montenegro introduces the euro as its forex.
2002 – Yugoslav, Montenegrin and Serbian leaders signal an EU-brokered settlement to create a brand new state known as Serbia and Montenegro rather than Yugoslavia.
2006 – Montenegro holds an independence referendum. Barely greater than the required 55% of voters say sure. Turns into the 192nd member of the United Nations.
2007 – Montenegro was admitted to the IMF and the World Financial institution.
2008 – Montenegro acknowledges Kosovo's self-declared independence. Applies to EU membership.
2013 – The European Parliament says Montenegro is on the trail to EU membership however calls on it to do extra to guard media freedom, ladies's rights and gender equality.
2016 – Authorities accuses Russian-backed forces of trying a coup on the eve of parliamentary elections.
2017 – Montenegro joins NATO, angering Russia, its conventional ally.
2020 – Freedom Home describes Montenegro as a hybrid regime slightly than a democracy because of declining requirements in governance, justice, elections and media freedom.