Skopje, 23/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - Speaking at the Summit of the "South East Europe Cooperation Process", in Skopje on Friday, the High Representative for Cfsp, Javier Solana and European Commissioner Chris Patten stressed that the violence must cease in the Valley of Presevo in Southern Serbia (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.4). If the Kosovar leaders really want a democratic and multiethnic Kosovo, "political attitudes must change", said Mr. Solana, adding: "otherwise, some members of the international community will raise unpleasant but valid questions about whether Kosovars are ready for substantial autonomy" (on this, see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5). As for Mr. Patten, he observed that the speed at which the rapprochement between the countries of the region and the European Union takes place depended on themselves: "this is why we insist that cooperation with the International Crimes Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, for example, is so important", he said, adding that "full cooperation with The Hague Tribunal is not an optional extra - it is an obligation". "We will help you find common solutions to the evils of illegal trafficking of human beings, organised crime and drugs", and in your efforts towards establishing free trade in the region, Mr. Patten stated, noting that the EU will help those countries that still have to become members of the WTO, and that it would also help them reach free trade agreements among themselves that are compatible with the WTO and with the "ambitions of the Stabilisation and Association agreements".