The Parliament of Montenegro declares the independence…

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A total of 419,240 Montenegrins, representing 86.5% of the total electorate, cast their votes on independence in an internationally monitored referendum on  held on on May 21, 2006.

230,661 votes or 55.5% are for independence and 185,002 votes or 44.5% are against.

The 45,659 difference narrowly surpasses the 55% threshold needed to validate the referendum under rules set by the European Union.

According to the electoral commission, the 55% threshold had been passed by only twenty-three hundred votes.

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Montenegro begins the process of seeking international recognition as well as a seat at international organizations, and on June 28, 2006, it becomes the 192nd member state of the United Nations.

In addition, the member-states of the European Union and the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council all recognize Montenegro's independence; doing so removes all remaining obstacles from Montenegro's path towards becoming the world's newest sovereign state.

However, the pro-Union bloc in Montenegro refuses to acknowledge the result of the referendum.