Summary: April 9, 2001: Security Council Public meeting on Kosovo. Statement by Ambassador Pierre Schori, Permanent Representative of Sweden on behalf of the European Union (New York)
Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European Countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey as well as the EFTA country member of the EEA Iceland align themselves with this statement.
The EU expresses its strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hans Haekkerup, in his efforts to ensure full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The EU fully endorses the priorities set out by the SRSG in order to lay the foundations for a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo.
The EU is deeply concerned about the level of inter-ethnic violence in Kosovo. The most recent report prepared by the UNHCR and the OSCE on the situation regarding minorities in Kosovo indicates that the security situation of several minority groups, in particular the Serb and Roma communities, is deteriorating. It is distressing that attacks against these groups show signs of being increasingly well organized and co-ordinated. The EU strongly condemns the use of violence and extremism and any
act which seeks to alienate communities. In this regard the EU urges all political leaders in Kosovo, and in particular Kosovo Albanian leaders with political or moral authority to isolate the forces behind these acts, in words as well as in deeds.
The EU supports UNMIK:s efforts to increase the dialogue and co-operation with relevant institutions of the FRY. In this context, we welcome the recent meeting between SRSG Haekkerup and president Kostunica as an important step forward in the development of a constructive relationship between UNMIK and the FRY.
The EU welcomes the initial steps taken by Belgrade authorities to implement the Amnesty Law. A significant number of Kosovo Albanians, however, are still being held without trial or charge. The continued detention of these persons will only strengthen extremists. We therefore urge FRY/Serb authorities to speed up the legal process of releasing the remaining political prisoners.
There is also a need for progress on the issue of missing persons. The release of political detainees would help create an atmosphere in which this issue could be pursued more vigorously. This would constitute a concrete example of confidence building which could facilitate a first step towards possible contacts between the associations of families in Kosovo and elsewhere in the FRY.
Mr. President,
The EU fully supports the initiative to develop a legal framework for provisional institutions for self-government, including adequate safeguards for minority rights. The establishment of a legal framework, and in particular the definition of the functions and the powers of the elected bodies, is essential to ensure successful Kosovo-wide elections in conformity with UNSCR 1244. The EU underlines the importance of keeping all parties, including the Kosovo Serbs, involved in this process. The EU
supports the efforts by the UNMIK Working Group on the Legal Framework to conclude its work, after which a date for provincial elections will be determined. In this context we wish to encourage the OSCE to proceed with the necessary technical preparations for the elections pending a decision on the date of the elections. The
EU expects all ethnic groups to participate constructively in the development of the legal framework, and calls on FRY/Serb authorities to support this important stage of the implementation of resolution 1244.
Mr. President,
The EU remains concerned about the level of tension in South-east Serbia. We welcome the beginning of direct talks between Serb and Albanian representatives following the signature of a cease-fire between the parties. We call on ethnic Albanian armed groups to abide strictly by these agreements and urge both parties to stay on the path of peaceful negotiations. We encourage both parties to carry out further confidence building measures. The EU stands ready to extend concrete support towards a
peaceful solution of the conflict. The European Union Monitoring Mission, which has now reached its full strength of 30 observers, constitutes an important contribution to these efforts. We are determined to continue to work collectively and individually in close co-operation with NATO and both parties to this end.
Mr. President,
The EU welcomes the adoption of UNSCR 1345 regarding the situation in South-east Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We fully share the objectives of this resolution. At the time when new perspectives for the region are opening up, we wish to underline that there is no future for those who seek to achieve their aims by violent means,
be it for nationalist or other causes. The EU will only support those who choose the path of peace, democracy, reconciliation and regional co-operation. In this context we welcome the signing today of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
I thank you, Mr. President.
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