Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-02-15-Speech-4-157"
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"en.20010215.6.4-157"2
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"Mr President, the Commission shares most of the concerns referred to in the resolutions. As regards Kosovo, we were already aware of many of the issues raised. We strongly condemn violence in all its forms and wish to combat organised crime. At the same time we fully support the United Nations’ mission and both the incoming and outgoing Special Representatives.
The European Union is increasing the number of monitoring missions in the Presevo valley and the Commission is considering ways of increasing the already substantial aid devoted to the area. This currently amounts to approximately EUR 1 million for fuel and for educational and humanitarian programmes. The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Covic, is due in Brussels today and will discuss the plan with the Commission too. For their part, the Member States are considering how they could contribute. KFOR is playing an important role in Kosovo in an effort to restrict the activities of the extremists. Furthermore, both UNMIK and the European Union are putting pressure on Albanian Kosovar politicians to distance themselves from the extremists in Presevo.
The European Union and UNMIK pillar responsible for economic development promotes the involvement and training of local communities, as you yourselves have outlined. This is perceived as a key issue underpinning our cooperation.
A number of speakers have raised a crucial issue, namely basic respect for democratic principles and the rights of minorities. We certainly share this concern. In particular, we are pursuing our efforts on behalf of Albanian Kosovar detainees in Serb prisons. The European Union has raised this matter on numerous occasions, most recently during the troika's visit to Belgrade last week.
We are aware that the authorities are working on an amnesty law for the thousands of political prisoners imprisoned under the Milosevic regime. We know that in principle this law should have a very wide scope. Only a few hundred prisoners sentenced for acts of terrorism would be excluded, mostly Albanian Kosovars.
The authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in Serbia are dealing with each individual case under urgent procedure. It is, however, true that they have no intention of granting a general pardon. They have made it clear that they will not free a single prisoner, Serb or Albanian, who has been fairly sentenced for that type of offence.
As far as the European Union is concerned, we shall continue to raise the issue and press for an early solution. We shall have this and other matters very much in mind in the coming months as we negotiate this year’s programme of aid to Serbia with both the Serb and the Yugoslav authorities. It is very important for all concerned that the new democratic authorities maintain their commitment to continue with the reforms outlined.
You raised another matter in the resolution, namely the problem of the tension in the Presevo valley in southern Serbia. The resolutions adopted are also in line with the political positions adopted by the Union, which unreservedly condemns violence and terrorism.
On behalf of the European Union we have highlighted the moderation displayed by the new leaders of the Yugoslav Republic and Serbia and we urge them to continue in this vein. We all have to be very clear on one point. Some of you have already referred to it and we agree entirely with you. A new era is dawning in the Balkans and it must not be marred by violence from any source whatsoever. The European Union must therefore rejoice at the plan put forward by the authorities to solve the current crisis. This programme includes proposals for dealing with the grievances felt by the people of that poor and underdeveloped region, with all the attendant problems.
For our part, the European Union has just received the plan and is studying it. It is worth pointing out that this is Belgrade’s first attempt to reach a negotiated settlement through dialogue amongst the various ethnic groups in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. This is indeed important. Milosevic never attempted to do so. The principle of negotiation and dialogue warrants our support and will receive it."@en1
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