Brussels, 19/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - After the External Relations Council on Tuesday, Georges Papandreou, Council President, welcomed the formal decision taken by the Council for EU takeover from NATO in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 31 March (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5). "This is of historic importance for the EU and the region", he said. He evoked the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, and welcoming the presence of Goran Svilanovich, Serbia's Foreign Minister, who had just announced the nomination of Zoran Djindjic's successor, Zoran Zirkovic. Mr Papandreou expressed great disappointment at the latest developments in the Iraq crisis and said he was keen not to tackle the problems of rebuilding the country until the war had started. However, he felt that the crisis will surely compel the EU to strengthen its external policy, and said he had the feeling there was "strong determination within the Council" to move in that direction. The Council adopted conclusions on the Middle East (see p.5), the Balkans and the human rights situation in China and Iran. EUROPE recalls that Tuesday's session took place without French Minister Dominique de Villepin, British Minister Jack Straw, Spanish Minister Ana de Palacio and German Minister Joschka Fischer. Jack Straw and Franco Frattini, from Italy, were not at the dinner during the discussion on Iraq and the Middle East.
Iraq: Mr Papandreou repeated that the EU was "united" on the aim of disarming Iraq and on application of Resolution 1441 but "divided" over the way to achieve this. Whatever future developments there may be, our concern is for the Iraqi people, the territorial integrity of Iraq and destabilisation of the region, he said, adding that the United Nations must be at the heart of such developments. Mr Papandreou also specified that the EU's humanitarian presence in the event of war had been discussed and that the Union would assume its responsibilities in this connection, if necessary. While admitting that "emergency planning" had already begun, he did not wish to go into plans for rebuilding Iraq until military action had been engaged. In the future, the EU must strengthen its external policy and adopt "a strategy for dealing with our relations at world level, and not only in the Balkans", he said. EU relations with the United States and the Arab world will also be a priority for the Greek Presidency. Javier Solana, for his part, again expressed his "feeling of frustration", while refusing to compare the situation in Iraq with that in Kosovo. "In Kosovo, it was a war to put an end to a tragedy that was taking place. Here, we have a preventive war to prevent something that might happen", he explained. Speaking to a journalist who felt the EU gave the impression it was satisfied with its humanitarian role and wanted to restrict itself to such a role, Chris Patten, External Relations Commissioner, replied "you would be horrified if I told you we did not have a humanitarian plan to meet" a possible crisis.
Balkans: Serbian Minister Goran Svilanovich welcomed the work and courage of Mr Djindjic and restated his determination to set the necessary reforms in place with a view to his country's integration into the EU. He informed the Council of Tuesday's nomination of the new Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Zivkovic. Announcing the arrest of over 700 people, Mr Svilanovic felt that the assassination of Djindjic was a "coup d'état". He went on to add: "I hope that we shall soon be seeing our country's flag at the Council of Europe" (see EUROPE of 18 March, p.6). The Council, for its part, adopted conclusions on the Balkans condemning the assassination of Zoran Djindjic and stressing that this tragedy must not slow down the democratisation process in Serbia and in Montenegro. Completing the setting in place of the Constitutional Charter must remain a priority, as well as swift adoption of the action plan on trade and the internal market in order to allow a feasibility study to be launched on opening negotiations on an association and stabilisation agreement with the EU. Furthermore, the Council notes that the murder of Djindjic demonstrates the need to pursue the fight against organised crime and corruption and to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Finally, the Council restates its determination to give economic and political assistance to the new leaders of Serbia and Montenegro to allow them to set necessary reforms in place for EU integration, and its support to rapid accession by Serbia and Montenegro to the Council of Europe.
Human rights: Regarding the opening of the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, the Council adopted general conclusions which reaffirm its determination to play a major role within the Commission as well as its commitment in favour of the principles of freedom, democracy, equality, respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law.
The fight against terrorism must respect human rights and the rule of law. The Council reiterates the importance it attaches to NGO participation in the UN Commission's work, and underlines the need to strengthen contact with the candidate countries. Insisting on dialogue with third countries on human rights, he notes that the EU will be presenting various "initiatives" in Geneva, notably on the death penalty and the rights of the child. The Council indicates that the EU is ready to receive special Commission rapporteurs who would like to visit a Member State.
The Council also adopted conclusions on China: Council recognises that a certain amount of progress has been made in implementing the rule of law, democratic principles, economic and social reforms (particularly actions for the protection and provision of information to those affected by Aids), and the development of the legal system. It is also pleased to note that a visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has been planned for this year, and that China has also invited several United Nations special rapporteurs (Education, Culture, Torture etc.). However, the Council is seriously concerned by: the lack of respect for human rights, use of the death penalty and torture, arbitrary detention, the "re-education by work" programme, repression of all kinds (freedom of expression, religion and association), and actions taken against unions and the Falun Gong movement. Although delighted by the release of Tibetan political prisoners, the Council remains troubled by the privation of rights and liberties in Tibet. It also spoke out against the execution of Lobsang Dhondup and the way in which his trial, and that of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, was conducted. Council is also highly concerned at human rights violations in Xinjiang and believes that the fight against terrorism must be carried out in full respect of human rights, and should not serve as an excuse for political repression. It asks China to put an end to all these practices, to ratify and quickly to implement various international conventions on human rights, on cultural, economic and social aspects and on civil and political rights, as well as the optional Convention protocol against torture. The EU will continue publicly to express its fears on the respect of human rights in China. If a proposed resolution on human rights in China were to be put to the vote at the Geneva session, the EU Member States would most probably vote in favour of its adoption.
Iran: The Council welcomes the government's commitment to bolstering human rights and the rule of law, but expresses serious worries at violations of human rights, the lack of respect for freedom of expression, attacks against the Press, the imprisonment of journalists, intellectuals and students, application of the death penalty, public executions, torture, and discrimination against women and religious minorities (especially Baha'is). The Council was pleased by the visit of a working group on disappeared children last June, and by efforts to arrange the visit by special UN rapporteurs. It also welcomes the government's decision to impose a moratorium on deaths by stoning (in the hope that it will be abolished), and to re-establish the state prosecution office, and to distinguish between civil and criminal courts. However, it calls upon the country to reform its administrative and legal system quickly, and to ratify the Convention on abolishing all forms of discrimination against women, and the Convention against torture and inhuman, cruel or degrading treatment. During the session in Geneva, the EU will not present a resolution on human rights in Iran, but the Council has given its agreement to express its most serious concerns, whilst welcoming the progress made.
The Council also discussed several other subjects: (1) the efficiency of the EU's external action; (2) the Commission's communication on the EU's "new neighbours". The Council has welcomed this communication, indicating that a general framework was needed, as well as a differentiated approach by country; (3) EU/Russia relations, based on a Presidency document and in the perspective of the St Petersburg Summit on 31 May. The Council has asked Coreper to follow its work; (4) the Presidency's intention to pursue "high level" contacts with North Korea to resolve the Pyongyang crisis with the US.
The Council also noted the absence of simple majority in favour of a proposed regulation to impose anti-dumping duties on imports from Egypt, Slovakia and Turkey (see EUROPE of 18 March, p.13). Lastly, it invited the Article 133 Committee to put forward the EU's best offer for services in the framework of the Doha negotiation by 31 March at the latest, as agreed at the WTO.