Brussels/Belgrade, 29/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European institutions welcomed the transfer of Slobodan Milosevic to the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, after the decision by Belgrade to by-pass the decision of the Constitutional Court to suspend this transfer procedure. Arrived in The Hague on Thursday night, the former Yugoslav President should appear before the ICTY between next Monday and Tuesday, according to what was indicated by Carla del Ponte, Tribunal prosecutor. The Serb Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic spoke on television to the Serbs calling for their understanding over this decision, which was the only possible option at the time. An interruption in the cooperation with the ICTY would have immeasurably negative consequences for our country, he said.
The Swedish Presidency of the EU Council immediately released a declaration in which it "hails" this transfer to The Hague, adding: "This move by the authorities in Belgrade is a decisive step towards justice for the peoples of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and for all those who have suffered a decade of violent conflict in the region. The Presidency of the EU appeals to all political forces in the FRY to seize this historic opportunity for peace and reconciliation. Today, a strong message has been sent that international justice will prevail". The High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, asserted: "The government and the people of Serbia have taken a courageous step towards Europe and towards the respect of European values. We can clearly say that justice has not borders and that it does not discriminate. On the contrary, justice demands a full accounting from all those who are indicted of war crimes, regardless of their origin or their position in society. Today's events (...) mark a new beginning for the entire region, which will be able to move more decisively to a new future, while addressing the past. The future lies in Europe. As this very moment, the EU renews its support to the democratic leadership of the FRY and Serbia".
The European Commission President, Romano Prodi "congratulated the Yugoslav authorities on the way they have handled this", while noting: "I have always been confident in the Serbian democracy, and my confidence has been confirmed by recent events". As for the Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, who recalled the holding, on Friday in Brussels, of an International donors conference" crucial for Belgrade, he stated: "Now, at last, Mr Milosevic must answer that charges he faces before an international court of law. Now, at last, the many victims of the Balkans wars have a chance for justice. Now, at last, the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - and its neighbours - can start to put the misery he created behind them. A year ago, Mr Milosevic ruled supreme in Serbia. Many thought it inconceivable that a year later, he would be on his way to trail before the ICTY (…). The EU is firmly committed to working with the people of that country, and all the peoples of the region (…), with the extradition of Mr Milosevic, let us set about that task with new vigour and determination".
In a first reaction, the President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine felt that the handing over of Milosevic to The Hague constitutes a significant step for the permanent insertion of Yugoslavia with the international community and for reconciliation. I always said that the wounds only start to close when justice has been given, she added. Finally, she hoped that the stability in the Balkans is consolidated, and that Macedonia does not commit itself into a dead-end that could be fatal.