Serbia and Montenegro

"FRY" redirects here. For other uses, seeFRY (disambiguation).

For the relations of the modern-day sovereign states of Serbia and Montenegro, seeMontenegro–Serbia relations.

"Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" redirects here. Not to be confused with theSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–2003) Савезна Република Југославија Savezna Republika Jugoslavija State Union of Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006) Државна заједница Србија и Црна Гора Državna zajednica Srbija i Crna Gora
1992–2006
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem:"Хеј, Словени"/"Hej, Sloveni" "Hey, Slavs"
Map of Serbia and Montenegro (green) in 2003, whileKosovois in light green
Status	Sovereign state Rump stateofSFR Yugoslavia(claimed until 2001)
Capital and largest city	Belgrade[a]
Official languages	Serbian
Recognized languages	Albanian·Hungarian·
Demonym(s)	Yugoslav(until 2003) Serbian·Montenegrin(from 2003)
Government	Federalparliamentaryconstitutional republic(1992–2003) under anauthoritariandictatorship (1992-2000) Confederatedconstitutional republicwith anexecutive presidency(2003–2006)
President
• 1992–1993	Dobrica Ćosić
• 1993–1997	Zoran Lilić
• 1997–2000	Slobodan Milošević
• 2000–2003	Vojislav Koštunica
• 2003–2006	Svetozar Marović
Prime Minister
• 1992–1993	Milan Panić
• 1993–1998	Radoje Kontić
• 1998–2000	Momir Bulatović
• 2000–2001	Zoran Žižić
• 2001–2003	Dragiša Pešić
• 2003–2006	Svetozar Marović
Legislature	Federal Assembly
Historical era	Yugoslav Wars(1992–1999)
•Constitutionadopted	27 April 1992
•Sanctions	1992–1995
•Kosovo War	1998–1999
•Bulldozer revolution	5 October 2000
•Admittedto theUnited Nations[b]	1 November 2000
•State Union	4 February 2003
•IndependenceofMontenegro	3 June 2006
•Independence of Serbia	5 June 2006
Area
• Total	102,173 km2(39,449 sq mi)
Population
• 2006 estimate	10,832,545
GDP(PPP)	1995 estimate
• Total	$11.6 billion
• Per capita	$2,650
HDI(1996)	0.725 high(87th)
Currency	Serbia: Yugoslav dinar (1992–2003) Serbian dinar (2003–2006) Montenegro:[c] Yugoslav dinar (1992–2000) Deutsche Mark (1999–2002) Euro (2003–2006)
Time zone	UTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2(CEST)
Drives on	Right
Calling code	+381
Internet TLD	.yu
Preceded by Succeeded by SFR Yugoslavia SR Serbia SR Montenegro 1999: UNMIK 2006: Montenegro 2006: Serbia
Today part of	Serbia Montenegro
^After 2003, no city was the official capital, but legislative and executive institutions remained located inBelgrade.Podgoricaserved as the seat of the Supreme Court. ^Membership as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ^The dinar and German mark had joint legal tender status in Montenegro in 1999 and 2000. N.B. Albanian parts of Kosovo havede factoused the mark since 1999 and the euro since 2002.

TheState Union of Serbia and Montenegroor simplySerbia and Montenegro,known until 2003 as theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia,FR Yugoslavia(FRY) or simplyYugoslavia,was a country inSoutheast Europelocated in theBalkansthat existed from 1992 to 2006, following thebreakupof theSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(SFR Yugoslavia). The state was founded on 27 April 1992 as a federation comprising theRepublic of Serbiaand theRepublic of Montenegro.In February 2003, it was transformed from afederal republicto apolitical unionuntilMontenegroseceded from the union in June 2006, leading to the full independence of bothSerbiaandMontenegro.

Its aspirations to be the sole legalsuccessor stateto SFR Yugoslavia were not recognized by theUnited Nations,following the passing ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 777,which affirmed that the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had ceased to exist, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was a new state. All former republics were entitled to state succession while none of them continued SFR Yugoslavia's international legal personality. However, the government ofSlobodan Miloševićopposed any such claims, and as such, FR Yugoslavia was not allowed to join the United Nations.

Throughout its existence, FR Yugoslavia had a tense relationship with the international community,aseconomic sanctionswere issued against the state during the course of theYugoslav WarsandKosovo War.This also resulted inhyperinflation between 1992 and 1994.FR Yugoslavia's involvement in the Yugoslav Wars ended with theDayton Agreement,which recognized the independence of the Republics of Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as establishing diplomatic relationships between the states, and a guaranteed role of the Serbian population within Bosnian politics.Later on, growing separatism within theAutonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija,a region of Serbia heavily populated by ethnicAlbanians,resulted in an insurrection by theKosovo Liberation Army,an Albanian separatist group.The outbreak of the Kosovo War reintroducedinternational sanctions,as well as eventualNATO involvement in the conflict.The conflict ended with the adoption ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1244,which guaranteed economic and political separation of Kosovo from FR Yugoslavia, to be placed under UNAdministration.

Economic hardship and war resulted in growing discontent with the government of Slobodan Milošević and his allies, who ran both Serbia and Montenegro as an effective dictatorship.This would eventually cumulate in theBulldozer revolution,which saw his government overthrown, and replaced by one led by theDemocratic Opposition of SerbiaandVojislav Koštunica,which also joined the UN.

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ended in 2003 after theFederal Assembly of Yugoslaviavoted to enact theConstitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro,which established the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. As such, the name Yugoslavia was consigned to history.A growing independence movement in Montenegro, led byMilo Đukanovićmeant that the new constitution of Serbia and Montenegro included a clause allowing for a referendum on the question of Montenegrin independence, after a period of three years had passed. In 2006, thereferendumwas called, and passed,by a narrow margin. This led to the dissolution of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and the establishment of the independent republics of Serbia and Montenegro, turning Serbia into alandlocked country.Some consider this the last act that ended the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Name

At the country's founding in 1992 following thebreakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFR Yugoslavia),the country's official name was theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia(FR Yugoslavia), as it claimed to be the sole legalsuccessor stateof theSFR Yugoslavia.The United States government however viewed this claim as illegitimate and thus, as early as 1993, referred to the country asSerbia and Montenegro.The 2003 constitution changed the state name to "Serbia and Montenegro".

History

During the collapse of SFR Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the two Serb majority republics, Serbia and Montenegro, agreed to remain as Yugoslavia, and established a new constitution in 1992, which established the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia essentially as arump state,with a population consisting of a majority of Serbs. The new state abandoned the Communist legacy: the red star was removed from the national flag, and the communist coat of arms was replaced by a new coat of arms representing Serbia and Montenegro. The new state also established the office of the president, held by a single person, initially appointed with the consent of the republics of Serbia and Montenegro until 1997 after which the president was democratically elected. The President of Yugoslavia acted alongside the Presidents of the republics of Serbia and Montenegro. Initially, all three offices were dominated by allies of Slobodan Milosevicand hisSocialist Party of Serbia.

Foundation

On 26 December 1991, Serbia, Montenegro, and the Serb rebel-held territories in Croatia agreed that they would form a new "third Yugoslavia".Efforts were also made in 1991 to include theSocialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovinawithin the federation, with negotiations between Miloševic, Bosnia'sSerbian Democratic Party,and the Bosniak proponent of union – Bosnia's Vice-presidentAdil Zulfikarpašićtaking place on this matter.Zulfikarpašić believed that Bosnia could benefit from a union with Serbia, Montenegro, and Krajina, thus he supported a union which would secure the unity of Serbs and Bosniaks.Milošević continued negotiations with Zulfikarpašić to include Bosnia and Herzegovina within a new Yugoslavia, however efforts to include entire Bosnia and Herzegovina within a new Yugoslavia effectively terminated by late 1991 as Izetbegović planned to hold a referendum on independence while the Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats formed autonomous territories.Violence between ethnic Serbs and Bosniaks soon broke out. Thus, FR Yugoslavia was restricted to the republics of Serbia and Montenegro, and became closely associated with breakaway Serb republics during the Yugoslav Wars.

Yugoslav Wars

Main articles:Yugoslav WarsandBosnian War

Map of the Yugoslav Wars in 1993

The FRY was suspended from a number of international institutions.This was due to the ongoingYugoslav Warsduring the 1990s, which had prevented agreement being reached on the disposition of federal assets and liabilities, particularly the national debt. The Government of Yugoslavia supported Croatian and Bosnian Serbs in the wars from 1992 to 1995. Because of that, the country was under economic and political sanctions. War and sanctions resulted in economic disaster, which forced thousands of its young citizens to emigrate from the country.

FR Yugoslavia acted to support Serbian separatist movements in breakaway states, including theRepublic of Serbian Krajinaand theRepublika Srpska,and sought to establish them as independent Serbian republics, with potential eventual reintegration with FR Yugoslavia.However, the Government of FR Yugoslavia would treat these republics as separate entities, and gave unofficial, rather than active, aid by transferring control of units from the now-defunctJNAto the secessionist movements.In this way, FR Yugoslavia avoided potential accusations of committing acts of aggression against the breakaway republics recognised by the international community.Slobodan Milošević,thePresident of Serbia,did not consider himself to be at war with the breakaway republics of Yugoslavia.

Following the transfer of Yugoslav Army units, the state of FR Yugoslavia ceased to play an important military role in the Yugoslav Wars, barring conflicts on the border with Croatia, such as theSiege of Dubrovnik.It instead provided economic and political aid,to avoid provoking the international community further, and to preserve FR Yugoslavia as the republics of Serbia and Montenegro, rather than 'Greater Serbia.'

In 1995, followingOperation Storm,a military offensive by theCroatian Army,andNATO involvementin the Bosnian War, President Slobodan Milošević agreed to negotiate, as the Serbian position within Bosnia had become substantially worse. Under threat of economically crippling the Republika Srpska, he took over negotiating powers for all Serbian secessionist movements, as well as FR Yugoslavia.The ensuingDayton Agreements,signed between representatives from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, theRepublic of Bosnia and Herzegovinaand theRepublic of Croatia,resulted in each state being recognised as sovereign states. It also provided recognition for Serbianinstitutionsand a rotating presidency within Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Serbian populated areas of the formerSocialist Republic of Bosniawere absorbed into Bosnia and Herzegovina.Thus the Yugoslav Wars ended, and international sanctions on FR Yugoslavia were lifted.However, Slobodan Milošević would not achieve his dreams of admitting FR Yugoslavia to the United Nations as the successor state of SFR Yugoslavia, as an 'outer wall' of international sanctions prohibited this.

Economic collapse during Yugoslav Wars

Main articles:Hyperinflation in the Federal Republic of YugoslaviaandInternational sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Following the adoption of economic sanctions by the international community against FR Yugoslavia, its economy experienced a collapse. Sanctions on fuel meant that fuel stations across the country ran out of petrol,and foreign assets were seized. The average income of inhabitants of FR Yugoslavia was halved from $3,000 to $1,500.An estimated 3 million Yugoslavs (Serbs and Montenegrins) lived below the poverty line,suicide rates increased by 22%and hospitals lacked basic equipment. Along with this, supply links were cut, which meant that the Yugoslav economy could not grow, and imports or exports needed for industries could not be obtained, forcing them to close.The crippled state of the Yugoslav economy also affected its ability to wage war, and after 1992, Yugoslavia had an extremely limited military role within the Yugoslav Wars, due to Yugoslav Army (VJ) units being unable to operate without oil or munitions.

On top of this, starting in 1992 and until 1994, the Yugoslav dinarexperienced a major hyperinflation,leading to inflation reaching 313 million percent,the second worst hyperinflation in history. Many parts of FR Yugoslavia, including all of Montenegro, adopted theDeutsche MarkandEurocurrencies instead of the Yugoslav dinar.International sanctions crippled the Yugoslav economy, and prevented it from playing an active role in aiding Serb breakaway republics. Following the Dayton Agreement, the UN Security Council voted to lift most sanctions, but they were reissued following the outbreak of an Albanian insurgency in Kosovo. The lasting economic impact can be attributed to the eventual downfall of FR Yugoslavia and Slobodan Milošević's government, as well as a deeper desire in Montenegro to leave Yugoslavia.

Kosovo War

Main article:Kosovo War

In theAutonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija,a growing desire for independence emerged among the Albanian majority population. Already, an unrecognisedRepublic of Kosovahad emerged with underground institutions.In 1996, theKosovo Liberation Army,an Albanian militia promoting Kosovar independence, launched attacks against Serbian police stations, killing at least ten Serbian policemen in direct attacks between 1996 and 1998.The low levelinsurgencyeventually escalated. After Slobodan Milošević was elected President of Yugoslavia in 1997, having served his maximum two terms as President of Serbia, he ordered Yugoslav Army (VJ) units to move into Kosovo to aid in the suppression of the insurrection. The governments of FR Yugoslavia and the US declared the Kosovo Liberation Army a terrorist organisation, following repeated deadly attacks against Yugoslav law enforcement agencies.US intelligence also mentioned illegal arms sources of the Kosovo Liberation Army, including conducting raids during the course of the1997 Albanian civil unrest,and drug dealing.Despite this, substantial evidence now shows that theCIAhad aided in training units of the KLA,although not necessarily providing them with arms and funding.

In 1998, the Kosovo War began, following increased open combat with Yugoslav police and army units deployed by Milošević. The KLA found itself heavily outnumbered and outgunned in open combat, and had to use guerrilla tactics.Serbian police and VJ units attacked KLA outposts, attempting to destroy them, as KLA units attempted to avoid direct confrontation and use terrorist attacks, including bombings and ambushes, to weaken Yugoslav control.Although unable to gain a strategic advantage, Yugoslav Army units found themselves in a tactical advantage against KLA units which lacked proper training. VJ units themselves lacked morale, and attacks were often directed against civilian targets rather than military targets.863,000 Albanian civilians were forcibly expelled between March and June 1999 from Kosovo.169,824 Serb and Romani civilians were estimated by the UNHCR's Belgrade office to have fled from Kosovo-Metohija to eitherSerbia proper,the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina,orthe constituent Republic of Montenegroby 20 June 1999.Out of 10,317 civilians, 8,676 Albanians, 1,196 Serbs and 445 Roma, Bosniaks, Montenegrins and others were killed or went missing in connection with the war between 1 January 1998 - 31 December 2000.The Serbian government attributed 1,953 Serbian, 361 Albanian and 266 other civilian deaths or disappearances from 1 January 1998 - 1 November 2001 to “Albanian terrorism in Kosovo-Metohija”.

The international community was quick to respond, issuing apeace proposalto Yugoslavia in 1999. The agreement was seen as an essential ultimatumbyNATOto Yugoslavia, and this rejected by the Yugoslav government. NATO responded in March 1999 by ordering airstrikes against Yugoslav military targets and infrastructure, including roads, railroads, administrative buildings and the headquarters ofRadio Television Serbia.NATO's bombing campaign was not approved by the UN Security Council, for fear of a veto by Russia, which would cause controversy as to itslegality.The UN Security Council adoptedUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1160,renewing arms and oil sanctions against FR Yugoslavia, and thus crippling its economy. The effects of continuous aerial bombardment and sanctions cost the Yugoslav economy hundreds of billions of USDand eventually forced Milošević's government to comply with an agreement put forward by an international delegation.United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244led to substantial autonomy for Kosovo, and the establishment of aUN missionto Kosovo, as well as the complete withdrawal of units of the Yugoslav National Army.As such, Kosovo remained an Autonomous Province of Serbia, but politically and economically independent. The damage to FR Yugoslavia was immense, with the government estimating $100 billion in infrastructure damage,as well as 1,200 Serbian and Albanian civilians or soldiers confirmed dead. Economists have estimated at least $29 billion in direct damages caused by the bombings.

In the aftermath of the Kosovo War, a low levelinsurgencycontinued in parts of Southern Serbia (Presevo valley), which had Albanian minorities. However, this insurgencts (UCPMB) lacked resources, and the Yugoslav Armed Forces and police were able to put down the insurgency.

Bulldozer Revolution

Main article:Overthrow of Slobodan Milošević

The string of defeats, as well as a complete collapse of the Yugoslav economy, led to mass unpopularity of the essential dictatorship of Slobodan Milošević and his allies in theSocialist Party of Serbia.In September 2000, amongst accusations of electoral fraud, large scale protests struck the nation. Milošević was eventually removed from power, as hisSocialist Party of Serbialost in the federal elections to theDemocratic Opposition of Serbia.In the aftermath, a new government in Yugoslavia negotiated with the United Nations, accepting that it was not the sole legal successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and was allowed to join the UN.Milošević would later be put on trial for corruption and war crimes,especially during the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia,although he died in prison before his trial could end in 2006.His culpability, especially of the charges brought against him in the context of the ICTY, remains a subject of controversy within Serbia.

Gradual dissolution

In 2002, Serbia and Montenegro came to a new agreement regarding continued co-operation, which, among other changes, promised the end of the name Yugoslavia (since they were part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). On 4 February 2003, theFederal Assembly of Yugoslaviacreated a loosestate unionorconfederacy—the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, although Yugoslavia was still commonly used. A newconstitutional charterwas agreed to provide a framework for the governance of the country.

On Sunday, 21 May 2006,Montenegrinsvoted in anindependence referendum,with 55.5% supporting independence. Fifty-five percent or more of affirmative votes were needed to dissolve the confederation and Yugoslavia. The turnout was 86.3% and 99.73% of the more than 477,000 votes cast were deemed valid.

The subsequent Montenegrin proclamation of independence on 3 June 2006and the Serbian proclamation of independence on 5 June ended the confederation of Serbia and Montenegro and thus the last remaining vestiges of the formerYugoslavia.

Politics

Main article:Politics of Serbia and Montenegro

The Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia, representing FR Yugoslavia (1992–2003) was composed of two chambers: the Council of Citizens and the Council of Republics. Whereas the Council of Citizens served as an ordinary assembly, representing the people of FR Yugoslavia, the Council of Republics was made equally by representatives from the federation's constituent republics, to ensure federal equality between Serbia and Montenegro.

The first president from 1992 to 1993 wasDobrica Ćosić,a former communistYugoslav partisanduring World War II and later one of the fringe contributors of the controversialMemorandum of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.Despite being head of the country, Ćosić was forced out of office in 1993 due to his opposition to Serbian PresidentSlobodan Milošević.Ćosić was replaced byZoran Lilićwho served from 1993 to 1997, and then followed by Milošević becoming Yugoslav President in 1997 after his last legal term as Serbian president ended in 1997. FR Yugoslavia was dominated by Milosevic and his allies, until the presidential election in 2000. There were accusations of vote fraud and Yugoslav citizens took to the streets and engaged inriots in Belgradedemanding that Milošević be removed from power. Shortly afterwards Milošević resigned andVojislav Koštunicatook over as Yugoslav president and remained president until the state's reconstitution as the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Federal Prime MinisterMilan Panićbecame frustrated with Milošević's domineering behaviour during diplomatic talks in 1992 and told Milošević to "shut up" because Milošević's position was officially subordinate to his position.Milošević later forced Panić to resign.However, this situation changed after 1997 when Milošević's second and last legal term as Serbian President ended. He then had himself elected Federal President, thus entrenching the power that he already de facto held.

After the federation was reconstituted as a State Union, the newAssembly of the State Unionwas created. It was unicameral and was made up of 126 deputies, of which 91 were from Serbia and 35 were from Montenegro. The Assembly convened in the building of the old Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia, which now houses theNational Assembly of Serbia.

In 2003, after the constitutional changes and creation of theState Union of Serbia and Montenegro,a newPresident of Serbia and Montenegrowas elected. He was also president of theCouncil of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro.Svetozar Marovićwas the first and last President of Serbia and Montenegro until its breakup in 2006.

On April 12, 1999, the Federal Assembly of theFR Yugoslaviapassed the "Decision on the accession of the FRY to theUnion State of Russia and Belarus".Although Serbia is, according to constitutional and international law, the successor state to this decision (as well as many others made during Milošević's regime), in practice, after the Bulldozer Revolution, nothing has been done in this direction, as the country is a candidate for theEuropean Union.

Military

TheArmed Forces of Yugoslavia(Serbian:Војска Југославије/Vojska Jugoslavije, ВЈ/VJ) includedground forceswith internal andborder troops,naval forces,air and air defense forces,andcivil defense.It was established from the remnants of theYugoslav People's Army(JNA), the military ofSFR Yugoslavia.Several Bosnian Serb units of the VJ were transferred over to theRepublika Srpska,during the course of theBosnian War,leaving only units directly from Serbia and Montenegro in the armed forces. The VJ saw military action during theYugoslav Wars,including theSiege of Dubrovnikand theBattle of Vukovar,as well as theKosovo War,and played combat roles during ethnicinsurgencies.Following the Kosovo War, the VJ was forced to evacuate Kosovo, and in 2003 it was renamed the ''Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro.'' Following the dissolution of the Union between Serbia and Montenegro, units from each army were assigned to the independent republics of Serbia and Montenegro, as recruitment in the army was on a local, rather than Federal, level. Montenegro inherited the small navy of FR Yugoslavia, due to Serbia being landlocked.

Administrative divisions

Main article:Administrative divisions of Serbia and Montenegro

Map of the territorial subdivisions of FR Yugoslavia

FR Yugoslavia was composed of two political units, consisting of two Republics, and two subordinate Autonomous Provinces to Serbia, as following:

• TheRepublic of Serbia(capital:Belgrade), includingCentral Serbia;
  • Vojvodina,Autonomous province within Serbia (capital:Novi Sad).
  • Kosovo and Metohija– Autonomous province within Serbia (capital:Priština). Since June 1999,Kosovohas become an entity underinterim international administration.
• TheRepublic of Montenegro(capital:Podgorica,Royal capital:Cetinje).

Name	Capital	Flag	Coat of arms or emblem
Republic of Serbia	Belgrade
Autonomous Province of Vojvodina	Novi Sad
Kosovo	Priština
Republic of Montenegro	Cetinje
	Podgorica

Serbia

Main article:Subdivisions of Serbia

The territorial organisation of the Republic of Serbia was regulated by the Law on Territorial Organisation and Local Self-Government, adopted in theAssembly of Serbiaon 24 July 1991. Under the Law, the municipalities, cities and settlements make the bases of the territorial organization.

Serbia was divided into 195municipalitiesand 4cities,which were the basic units of local autonomy. It had two autonomous provinces:Kosovo and Metohijain the south (with 30 municipalities), which was under the administration ofUNMIKafter 1999, andVojvodinain the north (with 46 municipalities and 1 city). The territory between Kosovo and Vojvodina was calledCentral Serbia.Central Serbia was not an administrative division on its own and had no regional government of its own.

In addition, there were four cities: Belgrade,Niš,Novi SadandKragujevac,each having an assembly and budget of its own. The cities comprised several municipalities, divided into "urban" (in the city proper) and "other" (suburban). Competences of cities and their municipalities were divided.

Municipalities were gathered intodistricts,which are regional centres of state authority, but have no assemblies of their own; they present purely administrative divisions, and host various state institutions such as funds, office branches and courts. The Republic of Serbia was then and is still today divided into 29 districts (17 in Central Serbia, 7 in Vojvodina and 5 in Kosovo, which are now defunct), while the city of Belgrade presents a district of its own.

Montenegro

Main article:Municipalities of Montenegro

Montenegro was divided into21 municipalities.

Geography

See also:Geography of SerbiaandGeography of Montenegro

Serbia and Montenegro had an area of 102,350 square kilometres (39,518 sq mi), with 199 kilometres (124 mi) of coastline. The terrain of the two republics is extremely varied, with much of Serbia comprising plains and low hills (except in the more mountainous region of Kosovo and Metohija) and much of Montenegro consisting of high mountains. Serbia is entirely landlocked, with the coastline belonging to Montenegro. The climate is similarly varied. The north has acontinental climate(cold winters and hot summers); the central region has a combination of a continental andMediterranean climate;the southern region had anAdriatic climatealong the coast, with inland regions experiencing hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland.

Belgrade,with its population of 1,574,050, is the largest city in the two nations: and the only one of significant size. The country's other principal cities wereNovi Sad,Niš,Kragujevac,Podgorica,Subotica,Pristina,andPrizren,each with populations of about 100,000–250,000 people.

Demographics

Main article:Demographics of Serbia and Montenegro

Demographics of FR Yugoslavia in 1992

Serbs(62.6%)

Albanians(16.5%)

Montenegrins(5%)

Others (15.9%)

FR Yugoslavia had more demographic variety than most other European countries. According to the 1992 census, the Federal Republic had 10,394,026 inhabitants.The three largest named nationalities wereSerbs(6,504,048 inhabitants, or 62.6%),Albanians(1,714,768 inhabitants, or 16.5%), andMontenegrins(519,766 inhabitants, or 5%).The country also had significant populations ofHungarians,ethnic Yugoslavs,ethnic Muslims,Romani,Croats,Bulgarians,Macedonians,RomaniansandVlachs,and others (under 1%). Most of the ethnic diversity was situated in the autonomous provinces ofKosovoandVojvodina,where smaller numbers of other minority groups could be found. The large Albanian population was chieflyconcentrated in Kosovo,with smaller populations in thePreševo Valley,and in theUlcinjmunicipality in Montenegro. TheMuslim(Slavic Muslims,includingBosniaksandGorani) population lived mostly in thefederal border region(mainlyNovi Pazarin Serbia, andRožajein Montenegro). It is important to note that the Montenegrin population at the time often considered themselves to be Serbs.

Total Population of FR Yugoslavia – 10,019,657

• Serbia(total): 9,396,411
  • Vojvodina: 2,116,725
  • Central Serbia: 5,479,686
  • Kosovo: 1,800,000
• Montenegro:623,246
• Major cities (over 100,000 inhabitants) – 2002 data (2003 for Podgorica):
  • Beograd(Belgrade): 1,280,639 (1,574,050 metro)
  • Novi Sad:215,600 (298,139 metro)
  • Pristina:200,000 (2002 estimate)
  • Niš:173,390 (234,863 metro)
  • Kragujevac:145,890 (175,182 metro)
  • Podgorica:139,500 (169,000 metro)
  • Prizren:121,000 (2002 estimate)
  • Subotica:99,471 (147,758 metro)

More than half ofKosovo's pre-1999 Serb population(226,000),including 37,000Romani,15,000Balkan Muslims(includingAshkali,Bosniaks,andGorani), and 7,000 other non-Albanian civilians were expelled to central Serbia and Montenegro, following theKosovo War.

According to a 2004 estimate, the State Union had 10,825,900 inhabitants. According to a July 2006 estimate, the State Union had 10,832,545 inhabitants.

Economy

Main article:Economy of Serbia and Montenegro

The state suffered significantly economically due to the breakup of Yugoslavia and mismanagement of the economy, and an extended period of economic sanctions. In the early 1990s, the FRY suffered from hyperinflation of the Yugoslav dinar. By the mid-1990s, the FRY had overcome the inflation. Further damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry caused by theKosovo Warleft the economy only half the size it was in 1990. Since the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav PresidentSlobodan Miloševićin October 2000, theDemocratic Opposition of Serbia(DOS) coalition government has implemented stabilization measures and embarked on an aggressive market reform program. After renewing its membership in theInternational Monetary Fundin December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate with other world nations by rejoining theWorld Bankand theEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The smaller republic ofMontenegrosevered its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the Milošević era. Afterwards, the two republics had separate central banks whilst Montenegro began to use different currencies – it first adopted theDeutsche Markand continued to use it until the Mark fell into disuse to be replaced by theEuro.Serbia continued to use the Yugoslav Dinar, renaming it theSerbian Dinar.

The complexity of the FRY's political relationships, slow progress in privatisation, and stagnation in the European economy were detrimental to the economy. Arrangements with the IMF, especially requirements for fiscal discipline, were an important element in policy formation. Severe unemployment was a key political and economic problem. Corruption also presented a major problem, with a largeblack marketand a high degree of criminal involvement in the formal economy.

Transport

AYugoslav passport

Serbia, and in particular the valley of theMoravais often described as "the crossroads between theEastand theWest"– one of the primary reasons for its turbulent history. The valley is by far the easiest land route from continental Europe to Greece andAsia Minor.

Majorinternational highwaysgoing through Serbia wereE75andE70.E763/E761was the most important route connecting Serbia with Montenegro.

TheDanube,an important international waterway, flowed through Serbia.

ThePort of Barwas the largest seaport located in Montenegro.

Holidays

Holidays

Date	Name	Notes
1 January	New Year's Day	(non-working holiday)
7 January	OrthodoxChristmas	(non-working)
27 January	Saint Sava's feast Day – Day of Spirituality
27 April	Constitution Day
29 April	OrthodoxGood Friday	Date for 2005 only
1 May	OrthodoxEaster	Date for 2005 only
2 May	OrthodoxEaster Monday	Date for 2005 only
1 May	Labour Day	(non-working)
9 May	Victory Day
28 June	Vidovdan(Martyr's Day)	In memory of soldiers fallen at theBattle of Kosovo
29 November	Republic Day

Holidays celebrated only in Serbia

• 15 February – Sretenje (National Day,non-working)

Holidays celebrated only in Montenegro

• 13 July – Statehood Day (non-working)

Proposed national flag and anthem for the State Union

Proposed flag for Serbia and Montenegro

After the formation of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, the Yugoslav tricolour was to be replaced by a new compromise flag. Article 23 of the Law for the implementation of the Constitutional Charterstated that a law specifying the new flag was to be passed within 60 days of the first session of the new joint parliament. Among the flag proposals, the popular choice was a flag with a shade of blue in between the Serbian tricolor and the Montenegrin tricolor of 1993 through 2004. The color shade Pantone 300C was perceived as the best choice.However the parliament failed to vote on the proposal within the legal time-frame and the flag was not adopted. In 2004, Montenegro adopted a radically different flag, as its independence-leaning government sought to distance itself from Serbia. Proposals for a compromise flag were dropped after this and the Union of Serbia and Montenegro never adopted a flag.

A similar fate befell the country's state anthem and coat-of-arms to be; the above-mentioned Article 23 also stipulated that a law determining the State Union's flag and anthem was to be passed by the end of 2003. The official proposal for a state anthem was a combination piece consisting of one verse of the former (now current) Serbian national anthem "Bože pravde"followed by a verse of the Montenegrin folk song,"Oj, svijetla majska zoro".This proposal was dropped after some public opposition, notably by Serbian PatriarchPavle.Another legal deadline passed and no state anthem was adopted. Serious proposals for the coat of arms were never put forward, probably because the coat of arms of the FRY, adopted in 1994 combining Serbian and Montenegrin heraldic elements, was considered adequate.

Thus, the State Union never officially adopted state symbols and continued to use the flag and national anthem of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by inertia until its dissolution in 2006.

Sports

Association football

Main article:Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro

FR Yugoslavia, later Serbia and Montenegro, was considered byFIFAandUEFAto be the only successor-state of Yugoslavia.Football was experiencing major success during the 1980s and early 1990s; however, due to the imposed economic sanctions, the country was excluded from all international competitions between 1992 and 1996. After the sanctions were lifted, the national team qualified for twoFIFA World Cups—in1998as FR Yugoslavia and in2006as Serbia and Montenegro. It also qualified forEuro 2000,as FR Yugoslavia.

Supporters of thenational football teamduring the2006 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 World Cup appearance in France was accompanied with plenty of expectation and quiet confidence as the team was consideredto be one of the tournament's dark horses due to being stacked with proven world-class players such as 29-year-oldPredrag Mijatović,33-year-oldDragan Stojković,29-year-oldSiniša Mihajlović,28-year-oldVladimir Jugović,and 31-year-oldDejan Savićević,as well as emerging 19-year-old youngsterDejan Stanković,and tall 24-year-old target forwardsSavo MiloševićandDarko Kovačević.Another reason for heightened expectations was that this was the country's first major international appearance following the UN-imposed exile. However, the squad never managed to hit top gear—although it did make it out of the group, it got eliminated by theNetherlandsvia an injury-time goal in the round-of-16. Two years later at Euro 2000, nearly the same team again made it out of the group and was again eliminated from the tournament by the Netherlands, this time convincingly, 1–6, in the quarter finals.

Serbia and Montenegro were represented bya single national teamin the2006 FIFA World Cuptournament, despite having formally split just weeks prior to its start. The final squad was made up of players born in both Serbia and Montenegro.

They played their last ever international on 21 June 2006, a 3–2 loss toIvory Coast.Following the World Cup, this team has been inherited by Serbia, while anew onewas to be organized to represent Montenegro in future international competitions.

Basketball

Thesenior men's basketball teamdominated European and world basketball during the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s, with threeEuroBaskettitles (1995,1997,and2001), twoFIBA World Cuptitles (1998and2002), and aSummer Olympic Gamessilver medal (1996).

The national team started competing internationally in 1995, after a three-year exile, due to a UN trade embargo. During that time, FR Yugoslavia was not allowed to compete at the1992 Summer OlympicsinBarcelona,the1993 EuroBasket,and also the1994 FIBA World Championship,which was originally supposed to be hosted byBelgrade,before being taken away from the city and moved toToronto, Canada.

Mascot of theEuroBasket 2005,hosted by Serbia and Montenegro

At the1995 EuroBasketinAthens,its first international competition, the hungry and highly motivated FR Yugoslav team, which was led by head coachDušan Ivković,featured a starting five full of world-class talent, with established European stars at positionsonethroughfour— 27-year-oldSaša Đorđević,25-year-oldPredrag Danilović,29-year-oldŽarko Paspalj,22-year-oldDejan Bodiroga— capped off with 27-year-oldVlade Divac,the starting center for theLA Lakersat thefiveposition. With a bench that was just as capable — with experiencedZoran Sretenović(the only player over 30 in the team),Saša Obradović,talisman power forwardZoran Savić,and up-and-coming young centerŽeljko Rebrača— the team rampaged through its preliminary group, which featured medal contendersGreeceandLithuania,with a 6–0 record. At the first direct elimination stage, the quarterfinals, FR Yugoslavia scored 104 points to destroyFrance,thus setting up a semifinal clash with the tournament hosts Greece. In the highly charged atmosphere of theOAKA Indoor Arena,the FR Yugoslav team demonstrated its versatility, using defensive prowess in that game to pull off a famous eight-point win, in a tense, low-scoring 60–52 game. In the final, FR Yugoslavia played against the experienced Lithuanian team, which was led by basketball legendArvydas Sabonis,in addition to other world class players likeŠarūnas Marčiulionis,Rimas Kurtinaitis,andValdemaras Chomičius.The final became a classic game of international basketball, with the Yugoslavs prevailing, by a score of 96–90, behind Đorđević's 41 points.

They were represented by a single team at the2006 FIBA World Championshipas well, even though the tournament was played in mid/late-August and early-September of that year, and the Serbia–Montenegro breakup had occurred in May. That team was also inherited bySerbiaafter the tournament, whileMontenegrocreated a separate senior national basketball team afterwards, as well as their own national teams in all other team sports.

Entertainment

Serbia and Montenegro was represented after its formal dissolution in theMiss Earth 2006pageant by a single delegate, Dubravka Skoric.

Serbia and Montenegro also participated in theEurovision Song Conteston two occasions and inJunior Eurovision Song Contest 2005only on one occasion. The country debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest under the name Serbia and Montenegro in 2004, whenŽeljko Joksimovićgot second place. The next to follow was the Montenegrin boyband No Name. In 2006, the year of Montenegrin independence, the country Serbia and Montenegro did not have a representative due to the scandal inEvropesma 2006,but was still able to vote in both the semi-final and the final.

See also

• List of national border changes since World War I
• Military of FR Yugoslavia

References

Sources

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• Goati, Vladimir (2013).Izbori u Srbiji i Crnoj Gori od 1990. do 2013. i u SRJ od 1992. do 2003(PDF).Beograd: Centar za slobodne izbore i demokratiju.Archived(PDF)from the original on 4 October 2020.Retrieved12 September2020.
• Kovačević, Miladin and other (1993).Statistical Yearbook of Yugoslavia 1993(PDF).Beograd.Archived(PDF)from the original on 7 August 2020.Retrieved1 April2020.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Miller, Nicholas (2005). "Serbia and Montenegro".Eastern Europe: An Introduction to the People, Lands, and Culture.Vol. 3. Santa Barbara,CA:ABC-CLIO. pp. 529–81.ISBN978-157607800-6.Archivedfrom the original on 21 January 2023.Retrieved7 March2018.
• Morrison, Kenneth (2009).Montenegro: A Modern History.London-New York: I.B. Tauris.

External links

• Serbia and Montenegrotravel guide from Wikivoyage
• Official website, government of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)at theWayback Machine(archive index)
• Country Profile: Serbia and Montenegro,BBC