Britain recognises independence of Montenegro

LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) Britain today recognised Montenegro as an independent state in the wake of a referendum last month in which its people voted to end their union with Serbia.

''The prime minister and I have today written to our Montenegrin counterparts, formally recognising Montenegro as an independent sovereign state,'' Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said in a statement.

She said Britain hoped to establish full diplomatic relations with the Balkan state soon and upgrade its office in Podgorica to an embassy.

Montenegrins voted for independence on May 21, ending a partnership with Serbia dating from 1918 and completing the break-up of the former Yugoslavia's constituent republics.

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