Brussels, 22/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council adopted, on Monday, conclusions on the Balkans, thus defining the European policy in view of the up-coming visit that the EU Troika will make to Belgrade on 8 February, in a sign of "support" to the democratic consolidation in Yugoslavia. The Ministers recall among other that the Yugoslav Republic and other countries of the region must respect the criteria indicated in the "regional approach" defined by the Council in 1997 in terms of democracy, respect for human rights, protection of minorities, economic reform, regional cooperation and the implementation of the Dayton/Paris undertakings.
The Council calls on the FRY and Montenegro to find a constitutional agreement "on relations between the parts of the Federation that is acceptable for all the parties". The EU insists on the need "to avoid any unilateral action that threatens the negotiation process", underlined, before the press, the President of the Council Anna Lindh. "We hope for a negotiated solution" stated the High Representative Javier Solana.
The EU "solemnly condemns the violent and illegal actions carried out by Albanian armed groups in Southern Serbia, in particular in the security zone, and calls for the immediate cessation of violence." It welcomes the undertakings made by the Yugoslav authorities to respect UN Security Council Resolution 1224 and the technical military agreement, and encourages them to continue the work for a peaceful settlement based on democratic principals and the respect for human rights."
The High Representative, Javier Solana announced that two European assessment missions had left this Monday for the Presevo valley, in the south of Serbia. Additional mission could possibly be soon sent to the field. They will report on the incursions by Albanians in the region, and will present a daily report to the European Median Centre in location, which will itself give an account to the EU's Interim Political and Security Committee (COPSi), specify European sources.
The Ministers will, among others, call for the rapid freeing of Kosovo Albanians and other "prisoner detained without charges or for political reasons". Moreover, they approved the "terms of reference" of the High Level EU/Albania group.
The Ministers rapidly raised a letter by Prime Minister Tony Blair calling for the establishment of a light structure to fight against the development of trafficking in human beings in the region, indicated Mrs Lindh. The Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, underlined that the European programmes for the countries of the region already foresee training actions for the police and customs authorities, which should contribute towards the fight against organised crime.