Strasbourg, 31/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the European Parliament condemned the inter-ethnic violence of recent weeks in Kosovo and, like the Council, appealed to leaders, particularly Albanians, to assume their responsibility to put and end to the violence and bring those responsible for it to justice. Parliament has also called on the international community and the European Union to face its responsibilities. Contrary to the Irish presidency and the European Commission, who have stuck to their traditional positions by reaffirming their support for the policies of the “norms before the status”, Parliament underlines the need to break the status quo and finally define Kosovo's status. A resolution will be voted on Thursday.
Acting president of the Council, Dick Roche, repeated the Council's support for the UN's policy of “norms before the status”, (the province has to conform to certain norms - political, economic - before its status is determined). The EU “seeks to strengthen this policy”, added Mr Roche. Commissioner for external relations, Chris Patten also denounced the “rapidly organised violence”. Patten explained that during his visit to Kosovo last week with Javier Solana, “we were extremely disappointed” by the “lack of mutual understanding” between the communities. At the same time he was pleased that Kosovan prime minister, Bajram Rexhepi recognised the responsibility of Albanian leaders. Solana and Patten will be visiting Kosovo “as soon as possible” to check on reconstruction progress. Patten also reasserted his support for the policy of “norms before the status” “which we can't abandon”.
Speaking for the EPP/Ed, Doris Pack from Germany condemned the orchestrated violence perpetuated by the Albanians. She exclaimed that “these criminals don't want to join the EU”. The CDU MEP also criticised the attitude of the international community which, “has not done enough to protect the Serbs who returned home” after the war. The EPP-ED thinks that it is time to change policy on Kosov. Ms Pack insisted that “We can't be insisting on the norms before the status policy. We need both: norms and a status”. The PES explained that “the mentality of political leaders hasn't changed”. This feeling was repeated by Johannes Swoboda who accused both Serbs and the Albanians. He underlined that these leaders did not want a multi-ethnic state. Swoboda highlighted the fact that the EU had to reflect on the possibility of withdrawing financial aid to those who did not strive for a multi-ethnic state. Hans Modrow (Germany, GUE/NGL) called on the EU to have “sufficient courage to find a long term solution for Kosovo”. This appeal was taken up by Joost Langendijk from the Netherlands speaking for the Greens/EFA. Addressing the presidency he said that “Mr Roche, the policy that you put forward will not resolve anything. The policy of the status quo will achieve nothing” and called for an “independent Kosovo but on certain conditions”. Speaking for the UEN, “the United Nations should envisage a new status for Kosovo” while the EU “has to increase its presence” in the province, declared Italian, Cristina Muscardini.