Belgrade, Serbia ? Serbian lawmakers proclaimed their Balkan republic a sovereign state Monday after tiny Montenegro decided to split from a union and dissolve the remnants of what was once Yugoslavia.

Serbia, as the legal successor to the union of Serbia-Montenegro, inherits membership in the United Nations and other international organizations.

The assembly instructed all state institutions to complete the process for Serbia’s statehood within the next 45 days, including assuming the duties and responsibilities previously in the hands of the federal administration. Minutes after the vote, the Serbia-Montenegro flags were removed from the parliament building.