EU Presidency Statement - The situation in Kosovo

Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA country, member of the European Economic Area, Iceland, declare that they align themselves with this statement.

We would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Annabi for his briefing which, together with the comprehensive report by the Secretary General, provides us with an update on the situation as it is recently shaping up in Kosovo.

Mr. President,

The international community has made progress towards stabilizing Kosovo and enabling its inhabitants to chart a road for their future. The EU would like to reiterate its main policies, i.e. the consolidation of peace, the promotion of stability, democracy and the rule of law, as well as respect for human and minority rights. Full implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), peaceful resolution of conflicts and regional cooperation are principles of the highest importance for the area. Terrorism and violence, be it ethnically, politically or criminally motivated, will not be tolerated and should be unequivocally condemned. We fully support SRSG Steiner's Administrative Order proscribing the Albanian National Army (ANA) as a terrorist organization.

Full democratization requires the support of the international community and all the political forces in Kosovo along with Belgrade's full cooperation. Our principles should be unambiguous, to build a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society in Kosovo with full respect for Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework. The "standards before status" policy provides the framework for achieving these objectives. The EU fully supports the work of the SG Special Representative and UNMIK in carrying out the mandate entrusted to them by the Security Council.

The Serbian and Albanian people, despite the conflicts of the past, must learn to live together, achieve reconciliation and make an effort to create and sustain conditions for the implementation of principles of true democracy, diversity and tolerance. The EU attributes particular importance to a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on practical issues of mutual interest further to and on the basis of the Common Document.

Political stability in Kosovo requires the formation of stable institutions. The establishment and strengthening of local democracy is a precondition in this regard. The process of transfer of competencies to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, as set out in Chapter V of the Constitutional Framework and in full compliance with the provisions of S.C. resolution 1244 (1999) and taking into account the capacity of these institutions to assume additional responsibilities will promote general and local democratization as well as raise awareness of individual and communal responsibilities. Building effective, transparent and accountable institutions to the benefit of all the communities, while at the same time adhering to the obligations stemming out of the Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework and not pre-judging the final status, should be the goal of our actions.

Mr. President,

Achieving genuine and sustainable reintegration of minority returnees should be assessed as an indicator of political and democratic maturity. It is encouraging that national and international perception regarding displacement issues, apart from a purely humanitarian approach, also includes a broader development and social and economic perspective. Therefore, efforts should focus on the sustainability of return and ensuring the inclusion of the displaced and returnees into the process of political action, social re-integration and economic recovery.

Political will, at the central and municipal level, is a prerequisite for further progress. Essential also to the success of the return process is the active support of the donor states and the participation of the international organizations. This political as well as financial support should maintain the momentum for return and ensure its sustainability.

Mr. President,

No initiative will be effective and no effort will bear results if the region does not rid itself of the double scourge of extremism and organized crime. Two phenomena closely interconnected and feeding each other while at the same time undermining all serious attempts by the local institutions and the international community to lay the foundations and build stable, prosperous and peaceful societies with freedom and justice for all.

The EU firmly believes that no effort should be spared and no stone left unturned until this double-edged menace is addressed and eradicated. Only then will our aims be achieved and the region becomes a better place for all its people.

Thank you, Mr. President.

| Top |

• EU Presidency Statement - The situation in Kosovo (10/6/2003)