Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Results in Montenegro

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., has conveyed his congratulations to the people of Montenegro for the free and fair way in which the referendum on independence was conducted.

The Minister said:  “Ireland welcomes the positive report on the election of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. I call on all sides to accept the outcome and work together for the future welfare of Montenegro and the Western Balkans region as a whole.  Co-operation within the region is indispensable if its European perspective is to be realised.

I hope that the Governments of Serbia and of Montenegro will arrive at an amicable arrangement on future relations between the two Republics in the wake of the referendum result.  I look forward to future friendly relations between Ireland and Montenegro.”

ENDS+++
22 May 2006
Press Office

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