Belgrade, 31 May 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Yugoslavia's federal parliament today voted overwhelmingly in favor of a plan to abolish the Yugoslav federation and replace it with a looser union between Serbia and Montenegro. The federal parliament's approval clears the way for Serbian and Montenegrin experts to start drafting a constitution for the new union.
The EU-brokered plan for a new union called "Serbia and Montenegro" was approved by the Serbian and Montenegrin parliaments in April. The Yugoslav federal government had also endorsed the idea.
The deal calls for Serbia and Montenegro to maintain separate economies, currencies, and customs services, but share a defense and foreign policy. After three years, the republics would be allowed to vote on whether to secede from the union.
The EU-brokered plan for a new union called "Serbia and Montenegro" was approved by the Serbian and Montenegrin parliaments in April. The Yugoslav federal government had also endorsed the idea.
The deal calls for Serbia and Montenegro to maintain separate economies, currencies, and customs services, but share a defense and foreign policy. After three years, the republics would be allowed to vote on whether to secede from the union.