Pro-independence forces in Montenegro are to forge ahead with referendum plans while ignoring the political fall-out in Belgrade caused by the resignation of the Montenegrin Federal Prime Minister, Mr Zoran Zizic, last week. Leaders of the government parties will begin discussions this week to put in place the legal framework for a referendum later this year, or the beginning of next, despite the crisis following the handing over to the international tribunal in The Hague of former Serbian strongman, Mr Slobodan Milosovic.
"We do not recognise the federal government at all, and we do not see any importance in what is taking place in relation to the federal government in Belgrade," Montenegro's Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, Mr Dragisa Burzan, said.
"No independence party will take part in new federal elections, if they take place," he said. According to a post-election pact worked out between the Democratic Party of Socialists, led by the President, Mr Milo Djukanovic, the Social Democrat party and the Liberal Alliance Party, which supports the minority government coalition, an independence referendum will held either in next December or January.
According to the agreement, the parties must either adopt referendum legislation within two months and hold the referendum six months later, or adopt legislation within three months and arrange for the independence referendum to be held in five months.