” “The EU Institutions express their satisfaction for the "peaceful" conduction and "excellent turnout" of yesterday’s voting: the EU authorities have closely monitored the referendum through which the population of Montenegro had to express itself on its independence from Serbia. To be sure in recognising people’s decision, the European Union had asked that at least 55% of voters should take sides with or against the separation between Podgorica and Belgrade. The figures that award the victory to the supporters of national independence at 55.4%, have been published, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Javier Solana, expressed the wish, "may Serbia and Montenegro speak to each other now", while the 25 member states are willing "to cooperate with the two States". According to the OECD, "the referendum on the independence of Montenegro took place in accordance with the regulations set forth by the OECD, the Council of Europe and other international standards for democratic elections". A release from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe states that the voting "gave the voters a real chance of deciding their future status through a process of direct democracy". Still in terms of external relations and following the formation of the Iraqi government, the European Commission decided to send to Baghdad 200 million euros by way of "support to reconstruction". These funds, stated Emma Udwin, one of the spokespersons of Barroso’s Executive Committee, "are fresh aids for 2006", which add up to the over 500 million euros that had already been allocated in 2003-2005.” “
