ANKARA - Turkey recognised Montenegro's independence on Monday, following the Balkan country's decision to split from Serbia in a referendum last month.
"In a letter to (Turkish) Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Montenegro's Foreign Minister Miodrag Vlahovic conveyed his expectations for Turkey to recognise Montenegro and establish diplomatic relations," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"In his response, Gul announced that Turkey recognised Montenegro and would take the necessary steps for the establishment of diplomatic ties," it added.
In a referendum held May 21, Montenegro split from its loose union with Serbia, part of the final chapter in the history of the former communist Yugoslavia.
06/12/2006 16:34 GMT