EUROPE has reported in its daily bulletins on the outcome of talks within the General Affairs Council of 15 February on the different aspects of the situation in the Balkans, especially the suspension of certain measures of the embargo against Serbia.
Given the importance of the Council's "Conclusions" on these subjects, we here publish the text in full.
WESTERN BALKANS - COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS
FRY/SERBIA
The Council agreed to maintain its overall policy framework of applying maximum pressure on Milosevic through the strengthening of the sanctions targeted at the regime, without penalising the Serbian people. It simultaneously reaffirmed its encouragement, notably through the trilateral cooperation with the FRY opposition and the US, to the determined efforts by the democratic forces in the FRY.
The Council welcomed the commitment by the democratic forces in the FRY to work together for democratic change and the re-integration of their country into the mainstream of Europe. It notably supported their engagement towards early free and fair elections and their efforts to develop a common, future-oriented programme.
In direct recognition of these developments and in the light of an urgent and unanimous call of all the opposition, the EU has decided to suspend the flight ban for a period of six months. Through this measure the EU wants to encourage the Serbian people in their struggle for democracy, reconciliation and the necessary political and economic reform.
In order to exert maximum pressure on the Milosevic regime, the Council decided to extend the scope of the visa restrictions by enlarging the visa ban list. It also invited the Commission to present detailed proposals on enhancing the effectiveness of existing financial sanctions, closing any loopholes that may presently exist, ensuring that EU banks and companies are made aware of and understand their obligations and reviewing enforcement and application at more frequent intervals, taking into account the need to avoid a negative impact on the FRY population and economies of neighbouring countries.
The Council will keep under review the sanctions policy in the light of future developments.
The Council invited those associate states and states neighbouring the EU which have not already done so to align themselves with the EU´s sanctions. It furthermore decided to align the list of individuals deemed to be acting or purporting to act on behalf of the FRY/Serbian governments, or of government-owned or controlled companies, with the expanded visa ban list.
The Council underlined the EU's determination to support democracy and freedom of expression in the FRY and invited the Commission urgently to consider ways and means of further improving the Union's support to independent media in the FRY.
FRY/MONTENEGRO
Determined to continue its support for Montenegro and its democratically elected government, the Council welcomed the Commission's assessment in light of its recent fact-finding mission and invited it to submit as soon as possible further proposals to address Montenegro's most pressing needs, including facilitation of trade. It also invited relevant IFIs to re-examine the possibilities for assisting Montenegro with economic projects and reiterated the importance of including Montenegro in the regional projects to be presented at the Regional Funding Conference for the Stability Pact, particularly those selected for the "quick start package".
FRY/KOSOVO
The Council reiterated its condemnation of all acts of violence and is particularly concerned by the renewed outbreak of ethnic violence in Mitrovica and the recent attacks against members of KFOR. It called on all political leaders in Kosovo to firmly condemn all violence and use their influence to stop it. The Council warned that its assistance to Kosovo is also dependent on progress in interethnic reconciliation and on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1244 in all its aspects. Member States took note of the High Representative's appeal to provide more police officers for the UN Civil Police mission in Kosovo and undertook to give it urgent attention.
It urged the Kosovo Serbs to participate in the Joint Interim Administrative Structures in order to help ensure a common future for all ethnic groups and called on Kosovo Albanian leaders to fully cooperate with UNMIK within the framework of these joint structures.
The Council welcomed the Commission's announcement of the early disbursement of 35 Meuro to the consolidated Kosovo budget, as well as its intention to urgently commit further funds for this purpose and in order to ensure electricity supplies.
DANUBE
The Council reiterated the urgency of re-establishing freedom of navigation on the Danube and recalled that the responsibility in this regard lies mainly with the FRY.
The Council welcomed the Danube Commission's project proposal concerning "Clearance of the fairway of the Danube", which is presently being urgently examined by the European Commission, and looked forward to an early implementation of this important initiative.
CROATIA
The Council met the newly nominated Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr Ivica Racan, and welcomed his determination to pursue meaningful reforms in line with the EU Declaration of 24 January and to implement the commitments undertaken under the Dayton and Paris Agreements regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina and Eastern Slavonia. It also welcomed the conduct of the second round of presidential elections and congratulated Mr. Stipe Mesic on his election. The Council agreed on an early visit by the EU Ministerial Troika to Croatia as a further sign of support to the new leadership, in order to encourage it to implement its democratic and economic program. The Council endorsed the terms of reference for the EU Croatia Joint Consultative Task Force at annex and welcomes the holding of its inaugural meeting, on 15 February, as an important step towards the dynamic development of future relations. It also invited the Commission to prepare a feasibility study on the perspectives for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
The Council reiterated its concern about the obvious unwillingness of the leadership of Bosnia-Herzegovina to implement the letter and the spirit of the New York declaration, and efforts to unravel the Dayton-Paris GFAP. It also reaffirmed its full support for the High Representative's efforts to break this stalemate. The Council reiterated its call for adoption of the draft Permanent Election Law and for agreement on a new structure of the Council of Ministers in accordance with the Constitution. The EU is willing to contribute actively to the success of the planned PIC ministerial.
STABILITY PACT
The Council fully supported the efforts by the Special Coordinator, the European Commission and the World Bank, aimed at achieving a substantive outcome of the forthcoming round of meetings of the Working Tables, as well as the success of the March Regional Funding Conference, which should give a strong impetus to the Pact's goal of reinvigorating the political and economic reform process and stimulating regional co-operation.
The Council invited its competent bodies to prepare the Union's position in view of the Regional Funding Conference.
ECMM
The Council invited the competent bodies to analyse in time for the 20 March GAC suitable arrangements, which would allow the time to agree a long-term solution on the future role, functioning and financing of ECMM. This should be done in light both of the recommendations of the independent audit and the Finnish Presidency's concept paper on the future of ECMM.
CONDITIONALITY
The Council endorsed the principal findings in the Commission's Communication on Operational Conclusions on the EU Stabilisation and Association Process for Countries of South Eastern Europe on compliance with the Council Conclusions of 29 April 1997 and 21/22 June 1999 and examined the performance of the countries concerned (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FRY, FYROM, Albania).
The Council hoped that the next conditionality review could show significant improvements and underlined the need for fulfilment of all conditions by these countries as established in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process, in order to improve their relations with the European Union. In this context, the Council underlined the importance of regional co-operation which is a crucial factor for the success both of the Stabilisation and Association Process and the Stability Pact.
To ensure the necessary coherence, the Council invited SG/HR Solana and the Commission to take into account the Commission's Communication in their joint political and economic analysis of future prospects of the region, as asked for by the Helsinki European Council, which will be presented to the 20-21 March GAC.
ANNEX
EU/CROATIA CONSULTATIVE TASK FORCE
Terms of Reference
Political context
Croatia faces the typical problems both of a country in transition and the aftermath of a war. Its economy, administrative structures and judiciary need substantial transformation if it is to meet European standards. The EU Stabilisation and Association process provides the general framework for helping Croatia to realise its European potential. The political changes resulting from elections in Croatia in early 2000 provide a new opportunity for the EU and Croatia to make rapid progress in developing this potential.
Objective
The proposed mechanism of establishment of an EU/Croatia Consultative Task Force is designed to provide Croatia, for an initial period until the beginning of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, with an important source of expertise and technical assistance in all the fields of common interest. The principal objective of the Consultative Task Force will be to assist Croatia's preparations for negotiations of contractual relations.
Without prejudice to existing EC rules and procedures, the Consultative Task Force can:
Provide a forum in which advice could be given on Croatia's progress towards meeting the relevant conditions for contractual relations;
Provide a possibility through which the EU can offer advice to support the evolution of legislation and administrative practice;
Contribute to institution-building and administrative reform;
Increase understanding within the Croatian administration and Croatia more generally of the principles and aims underlying European standards in the fields concerned.
Areas of activity and kinds of support
The Consultative Task Force will help to prepare for contractual relations within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association process. It will primarily focus on legal reform and economic matters, as well as the formulation and implementation of a foreign trade policy.
If necessary, it could cover wider issues, such as media reform, electoral reform, education, reform of the administration and the judiciary. Specific areas of activity would be agreed among participants, taking into account the capacity of the Commission's services to provide appropriate expertise.
Three kinds of possible support can be distinguished:
Advice on the development of policy and legislation for tackling a specific problem;
Technical assistance with developing the administrative means of implementing policy;
Advice on how to being national law and practice in compliance with the EC acquis.
Representation
The EU/Croatia Consultative Task Force will be a temporary technical working body at the expert level, dealing with different matters on a case-by-case basis.
The EU will be represented by the Presidency of the Council of EU and the Commission, assisted as appropriate by Member States and the Secretariat of the Council.
Croatia will ensure the adequate representation taking into account the matters under discussion.
Model of activity
Consultative Task Force meetings would be held on a regular basis, in principle in Croatia.
The Commission will propose the agenda of the meeting which would concentrate on a limited number of subjects each time (e.g. 3-4), which would require the participation of a limited number of experts.
The Consultative Task Force will formulate recommendations for action which will be communicated to the Croatian authorities at high level. Ideally, these would be joint recommendations although the EU will retain the capacity to make unilateral recommendations.
An adequate level of information to the general public on the objectives and activities will be ensured on an on-going basis.
The Commission will regularly report to the relevant bodies of the Council of the European Union on the activities of the Consultative Task Force.