The EU Council is expected to make a political decision on recognition and leave it up to the member-countries to recognise Montenegro's independence individually, a source in the Austrian EU presidency said.
The Council is expected to adopt conclusions accepting that the referendum on independence was held in line with the Belgrade agreement and the Montenegrin parliament's decision. The conclusions should also note that the EU and its member-countries will continue developing relations with Montenegro as an independent and sovereign state. The ministers will call on Belgrade and Podgorica to constructively join in the process of separation of the state union.
In their conclusions on the Western Balkans, the EU foreign ministers are expected to underline that all western Balkan countries have European prospects within the Stabilisation and Association process.