Serbia and Montenegro

F

Commerce and Trade

Serbia and Montenegro’s trade with the rest of the world was severely disrupted by the sanctions regime in force from 1992 to 1995. Chief exports are machinery, transport equipment, electrical goods, chemicals, and iron and steel; main imports are transport equipment, electrical goods, agricultural produce, and foodstuffs. Major trading partners include Germany, the United States, Italy, Russia, and Greece. The total value of imports in 2002 was US$6,320 million, and exports US$2,275 million.

G

Labour

The total labour force active in the country was estimated at 3.92 million in 2004. Unemployment, however, was high at almost 15.2 per cent in 2003.

H

Transport

The former Serbia and Montenegro had a good road system comprising 45,290 km (28,142 mi), 62 per cent of which were paved (2002 figure). In 1995 there were some 1.4 million cars and 132,100 larger vehicles in the country, or around 163 vehicles per 1,000 people. The railway network comprises 3,809 km (2,367 mi) of track.

I

Communications

Circulation of the 18 daily newspapers amounted to more than 1 million copies a day in 1996. In 2004 there were 330 telephones per 1,000 people. In 1997 3 million televisions and 3 million radios were in use. Broadcasting and the media, once under close state control, flourished in the early 21st century, with a healthy growth in the numbers of independent newspapers, radio and television stations.

V

Government

In April 1992 the Federal Assembly of the FRY drafted and adopted a constitution that called for the implementation of many democratic elements. In March 2002 Yugoslav, Montenegrin, and Serbian leaders signed an accord setting up a new state called “Serbia and Montenegro” to replace Yugoslavia. In February 2003 the country Yugoslavia ceased to exist. Serbia and Montenegro then comprised two semi-independent states in charge of their own economies. There was a federal presidency and federal defence and foreign ministries. A referendum on Montenegrin independence, scheduled for May 21, 2006, saw voters decide in favour of ending the union by 55.5 per cent. On June 3, Montenegro declared its independence. Serbia responded, acknowledging the end of the union and effectively eliminating the last vestiges of the former state of Yugoslavia.