In a written statement, Rehn said he was pleased that reports showed the referendum in Montenegro was carried out peacefully, professionally, and with a high turnout, which he added was important for the legitimacy of the vote.
Rehn said all sides should respect the outcome and work together in adopting European values and standards.
He underlined that the European prospect was open for Montenegro, as well as for Serbia, when they met various criteria, notably regarding cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal.
Rehn said the European Commission would start preparing two proposals for the Council of the European Union as soon as the final result of the referendum was confirmed. The first is a draft new mandate for negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Montenegro, and the second a draft modified mandate for negotiations on a SAA with Serbia as the successor to the state union.
The proposals will strengthen the results achieved and provide a foundation for the resumption of negotiations, Rehn said, calling on Belgrade and Podgorica to launch direct negotiations on the application of the referendum's results.