Brussels, 11/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Presidency of the EU has adopted a declaration in which it warmly welcomed the first vote by the FYROM parliament on constitutional amendments. The declaration states that the vote is a significant step in the approval procedure for the Framework Agreement signed on 13 August 2001 in Skopje, adding that the EU had taken note of the very large majority representing a broad consensus at parliament and between the communities represented there. The EU sees the 13 August Framework Agreement as guaranteeing a return to peace and stability in Macedonia and also as a sign of national reconciliation between the different communities while respecting each other's territories and the unity of the country. The EU hoped that in its final vote, the parliament would approve all of the Framework Agreement, thereby opening the way toward its full implementation. The declaration noted that the EU was determined to accompany the implementation of the Agreement.
EU sources have revealed that François Léotard has requested to leave his four-month position as EU Special Representative in Macedonia three weeks early, but the request was made for personal reasons and in the perspective of the Ohrid Framework Agreement being formally adopted at that time. His request cannot have been made in protest at the rejection of his idea of sending 1500 soldiers to the Balkans under the sole aegis of the European Union because François Léotard sent his letter before his idea was published, stress the same sources. Mr Léotard has requested to leave his post just after the 8/9 October General Affairs Council and will most likely be replaced by a new representative, but diplomats confirm that no names have yet been mentioned.
Questioned by several journalists about the qualities required by Mr Léotard's successor, European Commissioner Chris Patten said that the quality of the individual was more important than his/her regional expertise or political, diplomatic or military background. He said that Mr Léotard had done a difficult job and the important thing was for him to have a successor, but there was little time left to choose one. Mr Patten stressed that it was necessary to create a secure environment in the field since otherwise the Donor Conference that the Commission might be organising on 15 October would not be able to take place since there would not be any donors. Mr Patten said that a serious dialogue with the Macedonians over security issues was definitely needed, referring to the period after NATO's Essential Harvest operation.