Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-12-15-Speech-3-056"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2004-12-15"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Preparation of the European Council (17 December 2004)2
dcterms:Language	"de"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20041215.2.3-056"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2004-12-15-Speech-3-0572
lpv:speaker	lp:Hannes Swoboda2
lpv:spokenAs	vice-chair; Delegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe (2004-09-21--2007-03-13)3 substitute; Delegation to the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3 member; SEDE (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3 substitute; ITRE (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Armenia, EU-Azerbaijan and EU-Georgia Parliamentary Cooperation Committees (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3 member; AFET (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3 unknown; Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3 vice-chair; PES (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, as rapporteur for Croatia I should like to say a few words today on a country to which little reference has been made, even though it is to be hoped that the European Council summit will see a positive and important decision taken on it. Although it is a fact that every rapporteur treats the country for which he is responsible a little like his or her own child, I do believe that this is not merely a matter of taking a decision on Croatia, but of taking a decision on a whole region. Particularly given the stability and security concerns that have already been touched upon, it is vital that the Council’s decision on it should be favourable. This would be a sign that every country in the Balkans, if it makes the appropriate efforts and meets the criteria, has a chance of becoming a Member State of the European Union, something that was recently promised in Thessaloniki. I believe that both the former and the present Croatian Governments, with their differing political orientations, have done a great deal to prepare themselves and to move towards meeting the criteria to which we must pay close attention in every instance. There is however an obstacle that is undoubtedly of great significance, namely cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. It is claimed that there is such cooperation, but it has been neither full nor adequate. Demands have been made, and rightly so, that close attention be paid to whether every country – both Croatia and the other countries, above all Serbia – cooperates with The Hague in this respect. Yet I believe that in principle, and as a matter of priority, the Council should acknowledge the positive steps undertaken by Croatia, and that this should also be reflected in the Council’s decision. I also hope that the Government will not merely issue declarations, but will genuinely take every possible measure to bring the indicted general Ante Gotovina before the Tribunal in The Hague. In addition to taking such measures, it should also destroy the networks that perhaps still exist and support him, and it should ensure that they are genuinely destroyed. Finally, Mr President, I believe that Ante Gotovina, if he is the patriot he claims to be, should not take his country hostage. He must give himself up to the Tribunal in The Hague, as it would be a real shame if the fate of a country as important as Croatia were to depend on the decision of a single man not to surrender to justice. I therefore hope that, in view of all these circumstances, a positive sign will be given to The Hague."@en1

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