EU To Deal Separately With Serbia, Montenegro

5 September 2004 -- Serbia and Montenegro today welcomed a European Union decision to deal separately with the two republics when preparing them for EU membership.

EU foreign ministers yesterday announced they will pursue a "twin-track" approach in dealing with Serbia and Montenegro when it is time to discuss their entry into the bloc.

Serbia and Montenegro is a loose, two-republic union formed out of remnants of the former Yugoslavia.

Both republics want to join the EU but have so far failed to meet the EU's demands that both republics harmonize their political and economic systems.

(RFE/RL/AP)