Montenegro, EU talks may proceed

PODGORICA, Serbia, May 23 (UPI) -- An EU official says talks with Montenegro may resume once the Balkan state formally secedes from its union with Serbia.

Olli Rehn, EU enlargement commissioner, said Tuesday association talks with Podgorica's authorities could be continued separately from Serbia, Belgrade Radio B92 reported. Last weekend about 55.5 percent of Montenegrin voters chose independence from the Serbian government.

In a statement, Rehn said Serbia could also resume association talks with the European Union once Belgrade hands over war-crimes suspect Gen. Ratko Mladic to the U.N. tribunal.