EU Council of Ministers - External Relations session

In the perspective of the upcoming EU Western Balkans Summit, to be held in Thessaloniki next June, the Ministers were, yesterday over lunch, briefly informed of a Presidency's proposal regarding the additional financing by the European Union for the Western Balkans region for the period 2004-2006. For the purposes of the discussion, the Presidency presented a non-paper with her ideas on how to proceed.

At the Press Conference, the President of the Council, Foreign Minister Papandreou, said on this issue: "First of all, I think there is a wider consensus that, yes, there is a need for some further funding for the Western Balkans. The question is: Where will we get the funding from? And we have tabled a number of ideas. This will be discussed in Coreper and then will come to us. And of course, we need to see what the amount will be. But I think it is important that, if we are really serious about talking about this part of our world and this part of Europe becoming at some point full members, we need not simply to stabilize, but to make a qualitative step and really begin preparing them for an accession or, if you like, an integration process. Some of these countries, of course, have made further steps than others. Therefore, each one is going to be judged on its own merits.

However, this region has been named as a region which will become, in future, members of the European Union. Because, if you remember, both in Copenhagen and also in our recent statement in Athens, we mentioned this. So we have conclusions on this. Therefore, it is very clear that we want to help. But we need to have the means to push forward. This is on our side. On the side of the Western Balkan countries, we need to have, of course, the political will to continue reform and changes. In Thessaloniki, we will be discussing this, and I think we will be giving this an extra push. It's important for the region. It's important for stability. It is important for an enlarged Europe".

The Presidency believes that the EU should substantially assist the countries of the region in their efforts to press ahead with reforms and move closer to the European structures.

It is time for the EU to gradually replace reconstruction assistance with funds aiming mainly at promoting sustainable economic development.

Moreover, it is clear that the costly efforts that the countries of the region are undertaking in order to meet the criteria related to their rapprochement with the EU, would need to be supported by an increase in the financial support provided by the EU.

In view of the above, the Presidency is of the opinion that it is both sensible and necessary that EU assistance towards the Western Balkans be increased, for the period 2004-2006, at a point that would allow for the EU assistance to have a real impact.

The debate on this issue, based on the Presidency's proposals, is to continue shortly at the competent EU bodies.

Also the Council adopted conclusions on specific issues (see below)


WESTERN BALKANS - Conclusions

Serbia and Montenegro

The Council welcomed the Supreme Defence Council's decisions on the new organization of the Ministry for defense, aiming at establishing civilian and democratic control over the armed forces of Serbia and Montenegro.

The Council welcomed the orderly conduct of the Presidential elections in Montenegro. It looked forward to President-elect Filip Vujanovic playing a constructive role in promoting reforms in Montenegro and contributing to the full functionality of the new State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Noting recent efforts in that direction, the Council encouraged intensified work by Serbia and Montenegro to finalize, without any delay, an Internal Market and Trade Action Plan, in order to allow for further progress within the Stabilisation and Association process.

The Council welcomed the transfer of Miroslav Radic to The Hague as an important indication of the new Serbia and Montenegro government's determination to co-operate fully with the ICTY. The Council encouraged the leaders of Serbia and Montenegro to step up their efforts in order to transfer all remaining indictees on their territory to The Hague and to allow the ICTY full access to documents and witnesses requested. Full co-operation of all countries concerned with ICTY is essential for further movement towards the EU.


Serbia and Montenegro/Kosovo

The Council stressed once again the need for all parties in Kosovo to avoid any unilateral act that would jeopardize the stability in the region and the objective of building a multiethnic and democratic Kosovo in compliance with UNSC Resolution 1244. In this context, it regretted the Kosovo Assembly Resolution on "War Values", adopted on May 15th, for its divisive nature and its disrespect for the ongoing process of reconciliation. The Council supported the action taken by SRSG Steiner in response to the resolution, reiterated its adherence to the policy of standards before status and called upon the Kosovo Assembly and the other Provisional Institutions to focus on issues within their competence.


Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The Council recalled the importance it attached to the full implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which is based on the principles of unity, multi-ethnicity, respect for the territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Welcoming the progress made, the Council encouraged the fYROM government to continue to vigorously implement the remaining Ohrid agenda, which is an essential requirement for further progress towards the European Union. Reaffirming that there is no alternative to fYROM's multi-ethnic future, the Council called on all political parties to honor their commitment to fully respect the Agreement and its principles."

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• EU Presidency Statement - The International Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (26/11/2001)