MOSCOW, June 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has recognized the Republic of Montenegro as an independent and sovereign state, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
In a referendum held May 21, the tiny Balkan republic voted to break away from its union with Serbia, completing the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.
"In compliance with the Russian president's decree, the Russian side has recognized the Republic of Montenegro as an independent and sovereign state," the ministry said in a statement placed on its website.
Russia has offered Montenegro to hold negotiations on establishing diplomatic relations between the two states at the level of ambassadors and opening embassies in Moscow and Podgorica, the ministry said.
