Leaders of Serbia and Montenegro discuss department

The presidents of Serbia and Montenegro met Tuesday to discuss ways to ensure a smooth transition after Montenegrins voted to separate from the union with their larger Balkan neighbor. President Filip Vujanovic visited Serbia 's Boris Tadic in Belgrade , a week after voters chose in a referendum to break away from Serbia .

Photo: Leaders of Serbia and Montenegro discuss department

"Presidents Tadic and Vujanovic agreed that the respective governments must begin negotiations to reach political and economic solutions" on dividing assets and responsibilities previously shared by Serbia and Montenegro , by Tadic's office said in a statement issued after the meeting. The two states share defense and foreign affairs responsibilities. Each is to retain military facilities and installations based in its territory, while dividing up diplomatic missions abroad has yet to be negotiated.

Under a 2003 agreement, which defined Serbia-Montenegro as a loose alliance and also envisaged terms of possible separation, Serbia would inherit membership in international organizations, while Montenegro must apply as a new member. Serbia-Montenegro is the last remaining union between members of the former Yugoslav federation, which broke apart in war in the 1990s, reports the AP.

N.U.