Meeting on Monday 20 March, the General Affairs Council began further reflection on the Western Balkans and on the ties the European Union should forge with that region. Based on a joint report by the Secretary General/High Representative, Javier Solana, and the Commissioner responsible for External Relations, Chris Patten, this reflection continued at the Extraordinary European Council of Lisbon and will continue in later sessions of the General Affairs Council.
Given the importance of the issue and the stakes involved, the Conclusions reached by the Council at this stage are published in full here below.
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WESTERN BALKANS - CONCLUSIONS
(GAC of 20 March 2000)
FRY/KOSOVO
The Council deplored the deterioration of the security situation in and around Kosovo, notably in Mitrovica and in Presevo/Southern Serbia. It condemned the attacks against the KFOR and UNMIK presence and extremism from both sides. It also emphasised the crucial importance of securing the administrative border between Serbia and Kosovo and of stopping the illegal trafficking across all Kosovo borders. The Council urged political leaders in Kosovo to use their influence to take urgent action to prevent further incidents and disorder, by rejecting violence and extremism, by expelling extremists from their midst, by supporting UNMIK and KFOR and by having recourse exclusively to peaceful and democratic means. The Council reminded those leaders that they will be held accountable for any further spread of violence.
The Council reiterated its full support for UNMIK and KFOR efforts to ensure implementation of UNSCR 1244 in all its aspects. The Council welcomed recent decisions by Member States to increase significantly their contributions to the UN international police and KFOR, in terms of financial and technical support as well as human resources.
The Council recalled its commitment to the process of democratisation in Kosovo. In this light it reiterated its call to the Kosovo Serb leaders to participate in the Joint Interim Administrative Structures in order to contribute to the coexistence and the democratisation of Kosovo in conformity with UNSCR 1244. Only a sharing of responsibilities by representatives of minorities will pave the way for a multi-ethnic Kosovo.
The Council recalled that it attached the utmost importance to the thorough preparation by UNMIK of the local elections to be held later this year. It called on UNMIK and OSCE to take all necessary steps to ensure proper preparation of these elections, including voter registration, which is due to start in April, and to put in place arrangements for absentee balloting and participation by minorities.
The Council recalled that for the period 1999/2000 in response to the Kosovo crisis, in addition to the important bilateral assistance by Member States, massive resources had been allocated by the EC. Humanitarian aid in the region in favour of Kosovo refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees will have amounted to 428 Meuro, while reconstruction and exceptional finance assistance, including support to UNMIK will between 1999 and 2000, total 437 Meuro. It also underlined the importance that UNMIK, in particular the EU pillar, has the expertise and resources it needs to accomplish this vital task. The Council reiterated its strong view that international support for Kosovo, including that of the European Union, recently reasserted through the visits of SG/HR Solana and Commissioner Patten to the region, is dependent on cooperation from the leaderships and people of Kosovo, in particular their commitment to democratic and peaceful means.
FRY/SERBIA
Recalling the Presidency's statement of 3 March on the violation of the right to freedom of expression in Serbia, the Council condemned increasing threats and harassment against independent media and democratic opposition by President Milosevic's regime as unacceptable discriminatory policy aimed at clamping down on any dissenting, independent voices.
The Council welcomed the recent agreement on a common "Platform" by the democratic opposition of Serbia and strongly urged FRY democratic forces to intensify their efforts to build a unified front capable of representing a strong and credible alternative to the Milosevic regime. It recalled that a united democratic opposition is crucial for bringing political changes to the FRY.
In the overall policy framework of applying maximum pressure on Milosevic and not penalising the Serbian population, the Council underlined the importance of continued support, notably through humanitarian assistance and through the "Energy for Democracy Programme". The Council recalled that it will keep the question of sanctions under review in the light of future developments.
Recalling its conclusions of 14-15 February 2000 and its Decision 2000/177/CFSP of 28 February, which extended the scope of the visa restrictions enlarging the visa ban list, the Council adopted a Council Regulation suspending the flight ban for a period of six months.
The Council invited Coreper to finalise its examination of the Commission proposal for a Council regulation to enhance the effectiveness of existing financial sanctions with a view to adoption before the end of the month.
DANUBE
The Council again stressed the urgency of resolving the various obstacles to freedom of navigation of the Danube, and encouraged the Danube Commission to take the necessary steps to enable the European Commission to proceed further with the Danube Commission's project proposal with a view to early implementation.
FRY/MONTENEGRO
The Council emphasised the European Union's support for Montenegro and its democratically elected Government. It recalled the assistance provided so far and reiterated its readiness to continue to assist Montenegro. It took note of the needs assessment presented by the Commission and of the information concerning current Community assistance and that the Commission would continue to provide assistance, including food aid, assistance from the OBNOVA Programme and humanitarian assistance.
With a view to reinforcing support to Montenegro, the Council urged the Commission to identify projects which in a targeted way could help ease Montenegro's budgetary constraints and to explore means for further assistance. It invited the European Investment Bank to study an extension of its activities to Montenegro. Recalling its conclusions of November 1999, it invited the Commission to consider a proposal to the Council to include Montenegro in the remit of the Reconstruction Agency.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
The Council took note of the request by the Bosnian authorities for a feasibility study on the opening of negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The Council welcomed the Commission's initiative on a Road Map for Bosnia and Herzegovina to help paving the way toward a feasibility study. It calls on the authorities in BiH to commit themselves unreservedly to taking this initiative forward in the EU/BiH Consultative Task Force. The Council also stressed that the pace of progress will depend on the readiness of the BiH authorities to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Stabilisation and Association process and reiterated the need to implement fully the New York declaration of November 1999.
STABILITY PACT
The Council fully supported the efforts by the Special Co-ordinator, the European Commission and the World Bank, aimed at achieving a substantive outcome of the 29/30 March Regional Funding Conference and to put together a credible quick start projects package. The conference is part of a longer-term process to bring peace, stability and economic development to the region. It should give a strong impetus to the Pact's goal of reinvigorating the political and economic reform processes and stimulating regional co-operation by beneficiary countries themselves and through the support of the international community.
Stressing that the Regional Financing Conference and Stability Pact are part of an ongoing process and signify a mutual commitment, the Council stressed that EU support must be matched by credible and consistent reforms by countries in the region. To that end, the Council, recalling its conclusions of 14-15 February 2000 on conditionality, requested beneficiary countries to present their detailed commitments regarding the implementation of the objectives of the Stability Pact. The Council stressed the need for regular monitoring of progress in the region towards achieving the goals set for the reforms.
The EU will continue to play a leading role in the stability pact initiatives and will prepare its position in view of the Regional Funding Conference. To that end, the Commission was invited to present urgently a detailed proposal for the Union's contribution to this Conference.
ECMM
The Council underlined its wish for a restructured, flexible and streamlined ECMM meeting defined operational requirements. The ECMM should be answerable to the Council through the SG/HR, and its functions reviewed by the relevant bodies on a regular basis, to ensure that it acts as a means of supporting the EU's common foreign and security policy.
The Council took note of the progress made in the discussions on the future of ECMM. It invited the competent bodies to urgently finalise the plan for the restructuring of ECMM, with a view to the early preparation and adoption of an appropriate legal basis.