OSCE states considering Montenegro's request to join the Organization

VIENNA, 6 June 2006 - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe was considering today a request from the newly independent Republic of Montenegro to become the OSCE's 56th participating State.

"The OSCE participating States will consider the request from Montenegro carefully and without delay," said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht.

Miodrag Vlahovic, Montenegro's Foreign Minister, wrote to Minister De Gucht on June 4 saying Montenegro was ready to accept all the necessary commitments and responsibilities of joining the OSCE.

"The Government of the Republic of Montenegro expresses its commitment to all OSCE principles and standards, and its readiness to actively co-operate with all OSCE participating States in the pursuit of the goals of this Organization," wrote Minister Vlahovic.

Foreign Ministers from the 55 participating States will consider Montenegro's request to accede to the OSCE through a so-called silence procedure, meaning the request would be accepted if no country objects by a set deadline.

As the Republic of Serbia is the successor State to unified Serbia and Montenegro, it does not have to apply to join the OSCE.