Council Common Position

of 9 October 2000

on support to a democratic FRY and the immediate lifting of certain restrictive measures

(2000/599/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 15 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) In its message to the Serbian people on 18 September 2000, the Council reaffirmed that a democratic change would lead to a radical change in the European Union's policy towards the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), particularly in the area of sanctions.

(2) Following the elections on 24 September 2000, a new President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was democratically elected and formally sworn in, namely Mr V. Kostunica.

(3) On 9 October 2000 the Council approved a "Declaration on the FRY", which provides in particular for a radical review of the European Union's policy towards the FRY.

(4) In these circumstances, the restrictive measures against the FRY should be lifted, in accordance with the commitments made by the European Union.

(5) The ban on the sale and supply of petroleum and petroleum products should be lifted immediately, as should the ban on commercial or private flights between the FRY and the European Community.

(6) Specific restrictive measures against Mr Milosevic and persons associated with him must be maintained.

(7) The embargoes on arms exports and on the supply of equipment which might be used for internal repression or terrorism are not affected.

(8) Action by the Community is needed in order to implement some of the measures cited below,

HAS DEFINED THIS COMMON POSITION:

Article 1

Common Position 1999/273/CFSP of 23 April 1999 concerning a ban on the supply and sale of petroleum and petroleum products to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(1) shall be repealed.

Article 2

Article 4 of Common Position 1999/318/CFSP of 10 May 1999 concerning additional restrictive measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(2) shall be repealed.

Article 3

The Common Positions listed below:

- Common Position 1998/240/CFSP of 19 March 1998 on restrictive measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(3), with the exception of Articles 1 and 2 thereof,

- Common Position 1998/326/CFSP of 7 May 1998 concerning the freezing of funds held abroad by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbian Governments(4),

- Common Position 1998/374/CFSP of 8 June 1998 concerning the prohibition of new investment in Serbia(5),

- Common Position 1999/318/CFSP of 10 May 1999 concerning additional restrictive measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(6),

will be revised in order to maintain only those restrictive provisions directed against Mr Milosevic and persons associated with him.

Article 4

This Common Position shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

Article 5

This Common Position shall be published in the Official Journal(7).

Done at Luxembourg, 9 October 2000.

For the Council

The President

H. Védrine

(1) OJ L 108, 27.4.1999, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 123, 13.5.1999, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 95, 27.3.1998, p. 1.

(4) OJ L 143, 14.5.1998, p. 1.

(5) OJ L 165, 10.6.1998, p. 1.

(6) OJ L 123, 13.5.1999, p. 1.

(7) This Common Position has already been published (See OJ L 255, 9.10.2000, p. 1).