Montenegro says ready to postpone declaration of independence until end of June 2006

PODGORICA, Nov 18 (Hina) - Montenegro is ready to consider postponing the declaration of independence until the end of June 2006 if so asked by the European Union, the Government Public Relations Office said in a statement on Friday.

"If so requested by the EU, Montenegro is ready to consider the idea of postponing the implementation of the referendum, assuming that it might be important that no new solutions should be implemented before the deadline given for defining the status of Kosovo," the statement said.

The statement reaffirmed the determination of Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and his government to organise a referendum on independence in April next year, saying that depending on the results of the vote Montenegro would be willing to postpone declaring independence until the end of June in order to accommodate the international community.