 |
Calendar |  |
| Home->Calendar |  |
|
|
Extracts on South East Europe |
|
WESTERN BALKANS - CONCLUSIONS Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia The Council commended the efforts made by all the parties concerned in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the work done by Mr Le Roy, the European Union's Special Representative, to facilitate the implementation of the Framework Agreement of 13 August, which have led to the adoption of the necessary constitutional amendments. It also commended the progress made by the FYROM authorities in their negotiations with the IMF. However, it stressed that it was still necessary for the law on local autonomy to be adopted so that the Commission and the World Bank could organize a donors' meeting without delay. The Council expressed the hope that this law would be approved as soon as possible. By deciding today, 10 December 2001, on the principle of granting FYROM additional macro-financial aid, and by extending the mandate of the European Agency for Reconstruction, the Council emphasized once more that the European Union remains determined to contribute to the economic recovery and stability of the country. However, the Council gave a reminder that this support remains conditional on the new government and all interested parties in the FYROM committing themselves to fully implementing the Ohrid Agreement and other confidence-building measures. The Council also welcomed NATO's decision, at FYROM's request, to extend for three months Operation Task Force Fox, whose mission also covers the security of the EUMM and OSCE monitors deployed in FYROM. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia The Council thanked High Representative Solana for his report on his visit to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). It welcomed the intentions expressed by Belgrade and Podgorica to resume dialogue. Repeating its conclusions of 19 November 2001 and its commitment to a democratic Montenegro in a democratic FRY, the Council invited the HR to continue his efforts for a negotiated solution. Kosovo The Council commended the holding today, 10 December 2001, of the first meeting of the Kosovo Parliamentary Assembly. It repeated its appeal to all the parties in the Assembly to work, in strict compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, for a harmonious, peaceful and democratic unfolding of the provisional autonomy process for the benefit of all communities, and of stability in Kosovo and in South-East Europe as a whole. Albania The Council was pleased to note the Commission's presentation of its recommendation for a mandate and negotiating directives for a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Albania, in accordance with the conclusions of the Göteborg European Council. It asked the Council's competent bodies to examine the recommendation with a view to authorizing the Commission to commence negotiations with Albania, if possible during the first half of 2002. The Council reaffirmed its support for Albania's hopes for an SAA, while emphasizing that future progress would depend on the resolute pursuit of reform. Reiterating its conclusions of 19 November 2001, the Council approved the nomination of Mr Erhard BUSEK to the post of EU Special Representative for the Stability Pact, and instructed the Presidency to take the necessary steps for the adoption of the relevant Joint Action. The Council thanked Mr Hombach for all his efforts and his personal commitment to making the Stability Pact a success. Bosnia and Herzegovina The Council welcomed the presentation, on the occasion of the meeting of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) on 5 and 6 December 2001 in Brussels, of HR Petritsch's document on the rationalization of the international civilian presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It expressed the hope that an updated version of this document could be adopted at the start of next year. The Council emphasized the importance of the speedy implementation of such rationalization, which will give an extra boost to the effectiveness of the international community's action in that country. The possibility of the European Union taking part in the development of the international police force in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be examined. Stabilization and Association Process In accordance with its conclusions of 9 April 2001, the Council reiterated the great importance of the annual review of the Stabilization and Association Process for South-Eastern Europe and took note of the Commission's intention to submit its report to the Council in March 2002. PARTICIPANTS The Governments of the Member States and the European Commission were represented as follows: Belgium: Mr Louis MICHEL Ms Annemie NEYTS Denmark: Mr Per Stig MØLLER Mr Bertel HAARDER Mr Friis Arne PETERSEN Germany: Mr Joschka FISCHER Mr Christoph ZÖPEL Greece: Mr George PAPANDREOU Mr Anastasios GIANNITSIS Spain: Mr Josep PIQUÉ I CAMPS Mr Ramón DE MIGUEL Y EGEA France: Mr Hubert VEDRINE Ireland: Mr Brian COWEN Italy: Mr Renato RUGGIERO Luxembourg: Ms Lydie POLFER Netherlands: Mr Jozias VAN AARTSEN Austria: Ms Benita FERRERO-WALDNER Portugal: Mr Jaime GAMA Ms Teresa MOURA Finland: Mr Erkki TUOMIOJA Mr Kimmo SASI Sweden: Ms Anna LINDH United-Kingdom: Mr Jack STRAW Mr Peter HAIN Commission: Mr Romano PRODI Mr Michel BARNIER Mr Pascal LAMY Mr Chris PATTEN Mr Günter VERHEUGEN General Secretariat of the Council: Mr Javier SOLANA |
Top | Home | Search | Site Map | Contact |