Restructuring puts an end to name 'Yugoslavia'

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) -- Serbia and Montenegro signed a historic accord Thursday to radically restructure Yugoslavia, giving the federation a new name and its republics greater autonomy to prevent the country's final breakup.

The agreement, reached under mediation by the European Union, was signed by Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and other Serbian and Montenegrin officials.

The new country, consisting of two semi-independent states, will be renamed Serbia and Montenegro, Kostunica said after the signing ceremony. Both republics will share a defense and foreign policy, but will maintain separate economies, currencies and customs services for the time being.

"This document sets the shape of completely new relations between the states of Serbia and Montenegro," Kostunica said.