Yet another fragment of old Yugoslavia has broken off. A majority of Montenegrins voted in Sunday's referendum to become independent from Serbia and therefore to make their way separately towards the goals of joining the European Union and Nato. Evidently most Montenegrins feel that "he who travels fastest travels alone" is now the best maxim for a country that has been constitutionally yoked to Serbia, whose relations with European institutions are still seriously hampered by its failure to hand over war crimes suspects and to agree a settlement in Kosovo. Nonetheless, Montenegro will not get far on its separate European journey unless it shows maturity in negotiating a divorce with Serbia and living up to its new responsibilities of sovereignty.

The clear-cut vote - 55.4 per cent voted for independence, according to an official preliminary count - is welcome. EU officials had been criticised for setting the bar too high when they persuaded Montenegro that 55 per cent was the minimum threshold needed for independence to win international recognition. In retrospect that looks a sound judgement, and should, together with the high turn out, reinforce acceptance of Sunday's verdict.