Montenegrin parliament adopted a decision of independence in Podgorica, June 3, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    BELGRADE, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Montenegrin parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic declared on Saturday the independence of the tiny Balkan republic after the parliament adopted a decision of independence, according to the Montenegrin state television.

    In a special session of parliament in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, MPs of the ruling coalition raised their hands to ratify the result of the independence referendum held on May 21, ending Montenegro's longtime union with Serbia since 1918.

    Earlier this week, the Montenegro referendum commission formally confirmed the result of the referendum, in which 55.5 percent of the turnout voted for independence, just above the threshold of 55 percent.

    The parliament also adopted a declaration, which says Montenegro will be a "multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious society ... based on the rule of law and market economy."

    According to the declaration, Montenegro's strategic national goal is integration into the EU and NATO, and that it will immediately launch the procedure for admission into the United Nations and other international organizations.

    Hundreds of pro-independence supporters gathered outside the Montenegrin parliament to celebrate the independence with fireworks and the waving of the red and gold Montenegrin flag.

    But the euphoria was not shared by all Montenegrins, especially the four pro-Serbia opposition parties that boycotted the parliament session.

    Serbia-Montenegro, which was renamed from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in February 2003, is a loose union with only limited ministries of foreign affairs, defense and human rights.

    Negotiations between Belgrade and Podgorica on how to break up Serbia-Montenegro are expected to begin next week. Topics include everything from property rights and university fees to military facilities and work permits.

    Serbia is soon to declare its own independence, finally bringing to an end the breakup of the former Yugoslavia into six fully-fledged sovereignty countries. Enditem