Montenegro marks 20 years of independence from a union with Serbia this week, with concerts and various celebrations being held in the capital Podgorica and other towns across the country.
Split between the supporters of independence and those backing the union with Serbia, Montenegro held a referendum on 21 May 2006 to choose its future path after a decade of wars and NATO bombing in 1999 aimed at stopping the war in Kosovo. The result: 55.5% chose independence.
Splitting from the joint state was divisive given that Montenegro has historically close ties with Serbia and because about a third of Montenegrins consider themselves Serbs. Montenegro and Serbia share the same Orthodox Christian religion, speak similar languages and hold centuries-old alliances.
The independence drive was led by Montenegro’s longtime leader Milo Djukanovic, who steered the country into NATO and away from another historic Slavic ally — Russia.
Montenegro's president, Jakov Milatović, says full integration into the EU is his country's next milestone.
