Brussels, 27/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - Monday's External Relations Council decided to penalise people blocking the correct implementation of the Ohrid framework agreement, which was concluded on 13 August 2001, putting an end to armed conflict in Macedonia. In its conclusions on the Balkans, the Council announced that it had decided to adopted a common position banning a range of persons from entering and moving around Community territory. This ban will concern "individuals who actively encourage or take part in extremist action defying the basic principles of the Ohrid framework agreement on the stability and territorial integrity, plus the unified and multi-ethnic nature of the State" and "individuals who deliberately, repeatedly and unlawfully obstruct the concrete implementation of the framework agreement via actions outside of the democratic process". These penalties will apply to around a dozen people, said Javier Solana, High Representative for CFSP, during the press conference to close the Council. The ban will not be effective until the Council adopts its common position, which could happen in February, or without debate at a Council meeting, or by written procedure, said a source close to the dossier. The Council reaffirmed its support for the execution of the Ohrid framework agreement, and pointed out that it is an essential condition for Macedonia's integration into European structures. It welcomed the proposal by the Macedonian government to adopt key bills for the process of decentralisation. It also welcomed the new Special Representative of the EU for Macedonia, the Dane Soeren Jessen-Petersen (whose nomination, which was decided in November, was formally approved by Monday's Council), who takes over from the Belgian Alexis Brouhns, and takes up his duties on 1 February.
The Council also welcomed the parliamentary elections which were carried out correctly in Serbia on 28 December, and called for the swift formation of a government, to which the EU offers its unstinting support. The Council also noted the successful re-launch of the police mission in Macedonia, Proxima, and welcomed the support of the government of the country and the close co-operation existing between Proxima and international organisations present on the ground, such as OSCE.