The people of Montenegro,
within just two months, transformed their nation from creating
a newly independent republic in a referendum in May 2006 to
saluting a reinvented flag and becoming a full-fledged member
of the United Nations. The country peacefully separated from
the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro on 3 June 2006 and
its people, in aspiring for UN membership, have since demonstrated
their desire to actively and cooperatively support solving world
issues.
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| UN
PHOTO/ESKINDER DEBEBE |
On 22 June, the UN Security Council, in adopting unanimously
resolution 1691 (2006), recommended the admittance of the
Republic of Montenegro to the Organization. Six days later,
on 28 June, the General Assembly declared and welcomed Montenegro
as the 192nd Member State of the United Nations-the newest
since Timor Leste's induction on 27 September 2002. The world
witnessed a great leap forward for Montenegro in its desire
to become an active member of the international community.
On the same historic day, Montenegro proudly raised its flag
into the sky alongside the national flags of the other 191
Member States. Its royal red flag, bearing its monarchial
coat of arms, captures its pre-1918 history as an independent
State. Over 80 years may have passed without an autonomous
government, but the country's independence movement has forged
ahead since the 2006 referendum, after which its Parliament
proclaimed the triumphant result-a free Montenegro.
"The people of Montenegro demonstrated that adherence
to democratic values and the rule of law offer the most effective
way to achieve political goals. And they showed that even
the most difficult and sensitive problems can be resolved
peacefully", Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated at the
flag-raising ceremony. "Montenegro may be small in size
and population, but it has a significant role to play in maintaining
stability in the region and in promoting good neighbourly
relations and cooperation in the Western Balkans."
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