>>  With a population of about 675.000 and a surface of 13.812 km² the country is one of the smallest in Southeast-Europe.

After the referendum about the state's independency held on May 21st 2006 and the formal declaration of independence through the Montenegrinian government on June 03rd 2006, the European Union acknowledged Montenegro's sovereignty as state on June 12th 2006.

The Montenegrinian economy is still in a transition phase between a socialistic and a social market economy or a free market economy respectively.  In the comparison with other European countries Montenegro is relatively mountainuous and sparsely populated but has rich mineral resources like bauxite, iron ore and lignite. Agriculture is dominated by vegetables, crop,  potatoes, tobacco, vine, citrus fruits, olives and figs. Tourism plays a tremendous role in Montenegro's economy. Roughly 15% of the GDP are made in this sector and the tendency is growing. One of the economy's major problems is the very high unemployment rate.

The strategy of economic development is oriented towards the most important sectors in the country. Priority lies on the improvement of agriculture, the production of "clean" energy, naval infrastructure like ports and of course tourism.  Montenegro undertakes great efforts to re-establish its previous excellent position as touristic destination. For this, the country has excellent preconditions in means of cultural heritage and geographic location, with beautiful shores on the Adriatic sea.

Already in 1999 the German Mark was established as the state's official currency, subsequently followed by the Euro in 2002.