The republics of Serbia and Montenegro on Thursday established full diplomatic relations following Montenegro's declaration of independence from the state union of Serbia-Montenegro earlier this month.

A protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed in Belgrade by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic and his Montenegrin counterpart Miodrag Vlahovic.

Draskovic said ahead of the meeting with Vlahovic that Serbia and Montenegro would remain committed to common historic values.

"These relations have a historic meaning and it is quite certain that both states will be committed to cherishing numerous common historic values of Serbs and Montenegrins and Serbia and Montenegro," Draskovic said in a statement.

Vlahovic paid his first official visit to Serbia since Montenegro declared independence on June 3, after 55.5 percent of its voters opted for independence from the union with Serbia in a referendum on May 21. On June 15 the Serbian government adopted a decision to recognize Montenegro.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2006)