Tullamore, 16/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - European Foreign Affairs Ministers are due to highlight the need to bolster the EU's political presence in Kosovo at their informal "Gymnich" meeting in Tullamore, Ireland on Friday. Introducing the discussions, Javier Solana, CFSP High Representative and Commissioner Chris Patten stressed that despite the return to calm after the mid-March violence, the situation remains explosive.
"The massive dissatisfaction of the population regarding their living conditions and international presence is a breeding ground for extremist groups" states a Council document tabled at the meeting. According to the analysis, securing safety, protecting minorities and repairing damage are necessary first steps. In the longer term, the document calls for a "revitalisation" of the policy that has consisted until now in requesting that Kosovans respect democratic criteria before a definitively defining of a statute for Kosovo. Some Member States including France, Germany and Belgium still hold this opinion, whilst others such as the Netherlands and some "new member States" want to accelerate the adoption of a statute for Kosovo. The Council document points out that the idea of a mid-2005 assessment of conformity with criteria is essential in this regard. The document recalls that the Commission is drawing up a draft EU/Kosovo Partnership that might encourage Kosovo to conform with the criteria. In the longer term it will also be necessary to strengthen the political role of the Minuk and the different international organisations whose mandate "no longer corresponds to current needs".