Summary: June 22, 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 of Cyprus, Malta and Turkey as well as the EFTA member countries of the EEA of Iceland and Liechtenstein align themselves with this statement.
The EU would like to thank the Presidency of the Security Council for the report of the Security Council Mission on the implementation of UNSCR 1244. We also thank the Secretary-General for his report on UNMIK dated 7 june.
Mr President,
The European Union reiterates its strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hans Haekkerup, in his efforts to ensure the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. We welcome the promulgation by the SRSG of the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self Government in Kosovo and the announcement of Kosovo-wide elections to be held on 17 November 2001. The Constitutional Framework is a landmark step in the implementation of UNSCR 1244 and
constitutes a decisive move towards the establishment of meaningful and democratic self-government in Kosovo. We urge all individuals and communities in Kosovo to participate actively and constructively in the election process and in the future provisional institutions of self-government. The EU welcomes the FRY government's support for the registration of Kosovo Serbs, and calls upon Belgrade to continue to co-operate with UNMIK in order to ensure their participation in the elections.
The EU supports the Mission's findings that there is a need for intensified efforts on issues such as increased security for all communities, in particular for the Kosovo Serbs, freedom of movement, the fate of missing persons, and the return of refugees and displaced persons. We welcome the efforts taken by UNMIK and KFOR in this regard and agree with the Security Council Mission's assessment that there is a need for continued and enhanced dialogue between UNMIK and Belgrade in order to ensure
the full implementation of resolution 1244.
Mr President,
Both the report of Security Council Mission and the report of the Secretary-General point to the fact that the level of violence and crime in Kosovo, in particular directed against ethnic minorities, remains unacceptably high. Concerted efforts to enhance the overall security situation in Kosovo is of vital importance to the stability of the province and the entire region. We support recent measures taken by UNMIK and KFOR to counter illegal border crossings and the illegal possession of arms
as well as the adoption of a regulation to help combat terrorism in Kosovo. The EU welcomes the timely establishment of a new UNMIK Pillar intended to provide greater focus and co-ordination in the field of police, security and justice. We are convinced that the new Pillar represents an important instrument in combating violence and crime in Kosovo, and look forward to a comprehensive UNMIK strategy for the justice sector. The EU also supports efforts to develop a strategy to diffuse tensions
and resolve the complex situation in northern Kosovo, in particular in Mitrovica.
Mr President,
The EU welcomes the unilateral demobilisation by ethnic Albanian armed groups in South-east Serbia and the peaceful completion of the return of Yugoslav security forces to the Ground Safety Zone and in this context expresses its appreciation for the constructive efforts of the FRY government. The European Union has worked closely with other international organisations, in particular NATO, in order to bring the parties together and reach a peaceful solution to the crisis. The EU encourages
Belgrade authorities and ethnic Albanian representatives to make rapid progress on the implementation of necessary confidence building measures, including the establishment of a multi-ethnic police force, the return of all displaced persons and the integration of the ethnic Albanian population into local political, economic and social structures. The European Union Monitoring Mission will retain its presence in the area in order to contribute to this process.
Mr President,
The EU remains deeply concerned about the serious security situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. At its recent summit in Göteborg, the European Council reaffirmed its strong attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the need for a political solution to the crisis.
In order to establish a durable peace, it is imperative that the cease-fire be maintained. It is also important that KFOR maintain a robust border control and takes a firm stance against ethnic Albanian extremists operating from Kosovo. The EU calls on ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo and political leaders in Albania to use their influence to isolate extremists and prevent the spread of violence, which constitutes a threat to the stability of the whole region.
The EU fully supports the intensified dialogue on inter-ethnic relations launched by President Trajkovski, and stands ready to engage further in facilitation of the political dialogue. To this end, the EU has decided to appoint a representative, resident in Skopje, who will act under the authority of the High Representative, Mr. Javier Solana.
The EU is firmly committed to continuing its efforts, in close co-operation with all main partners and organisations, aimed at promoting stability, democratic development and prosperity in the region.
I thank you, Mr President.
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