Luxembourg, 30/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council has welcomed the results of the Regional Stability Pact Conference in Bucharest, which confirmed the European Union's full commitment to playing a key role in the process (see EUROPE 22 October, pp 9). A common action will possibly be concluded in time for the Council of 19 November or at the very latest, for the Council of 10 December 2001, in order to achieve this objective. In this context, the Council has called on the relevant bodies to continue, in the light of High Representative Solana and Commissioner Patten's contribution, and the instructions emanating from the Ministerial debate, with their reflections about the future role of the Stability Pact. EUROPE magazine has pointed out that both Mr Solana and Mr Patten suggested renewing the pact and strengthening the scope of actions, the regional dimension to Community assistance in order to promote cross-border co-operation, as well as complementarity with the stabilisation and association process.
The Council's conclusions on the situation in the Western Balkans refer to:
(1) Macedonia: the Council welcomes the recent progress made in the parliamentary process to amend the Constitution and encourages all sides to continue their efforts to speed up the effective implementation of the framework agreement of 13 August. The Council has noted the fact that the mixed security forces are working well in five villages and hopes that this development, in an effort to rebuild confidence, will continue as soon as all the conditions have been met. This necessitates other confidence building measures as soon as possible, particularly that of an amnesty for the rebels. In a statement to the press, Mr Solana again insisted on the necessity of rapidly concluding the process to amend the Constitution, explaining that an overall vote was expected at the formal Parliamentary session on 8 November.
(2) Kosovo: the Council stressed the importance of free and fair election on 17 November, with the massive participation of all the different communities so that the Serb community finds its place in a really multi-ethnic Kosovo. It also encouraged Belgrade to encourage Serbs in Kosovo to participate. The Council has formally adopted the common position supporting the nomination of Alain Leroy as EU Representative to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, replacing François Léotard.