On May 21, 2006, Montenegro held a long-awaited
referendum on independence; 55.5% of the electorate voted in favor of independence, slightly over
the 55% threshold established by the European Union (EU), and turnout exceeded 86%. Serbia and
Montenegro were the last remnants of the former Yugoslavia to exist in a common state. They
formed a new, highly decentralized state union under an agreement brokered by the EU in
2002-2003, which allowed for either republic to hold a referendum after three years. Serbia's
political leaders supported continuation of the union but recognized the referendum outcome. The
impending dissolution of the Serbia and Montenegro union comes at the same time as the
international community is conducting talks on the future status of Kosovo, a disputed province in
Serbia. This report may be updated as events warrant. For additional information, see CRS Report RL30371, Serbia and Montenegro: Current Situation and U.S. Policy, by [author name scrubbed].