B4-0319, 0328, 0342, 0362, 0366 and 0375/98

Resolution on the situation in the Slovak Republic

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the Slovak Republic, especially its resolution of 23 October 1997 ((Minutes of that sitting, Part II, Item 9(e).)), and its resolution of 4 December 1997 on the communication from the Commission 'Agenda 2000 - for a stronger and wider Union' ((Minutes of that sitting, Part II, Item 3(a).)),

- having regard to the Europe Agreement between the European Union and the Slovak Republic, which clearly includes respect for human rights and the rights of minorities, democracy and the rule of law as one of its basic elements,

A. noting that the Commission, in its opinion on the Slovak Republic's application for membership of the European Union, has concluded that the Slovak Republic does not currently fulfil the political criteria for membership because of the instability of its institutions, which are insufficiently rooted in political life, and the shortcomings in the functioning of its democracy,

B. noting that the National Council of the Slovak Republic has so far been unable to elect a new President of the Republic and that, following the end of President Kovac¨s term on 2 March 1998, many presidential powers have, in accordance with the Slovak constitution, devolved to the government of the Slovak Republic,

C. expressing its deep concern at some measures taken by the Slovak Government over the past few days, such as the cancellation of the referendum on direct presidential elections and on NATO membership, the recalling and dismissal of over half the country¨s ambassadors and the blocking of legal procedures against those who are accused of involvement in the kidnapping of former President Kovac's son, as well as against those who are accused of committing crimes during the 1996 referendum,

D. emphasizing that these decisions raise serious doubts about the Slovak Government¨s determination to take the necessary measures to further democratize political life in the Slovak Republic and thus to fulfil the necessary political criteria for membership of the European Union,

1. Is deeply concerned about the concentration of power in the hands of a Prime Minister who continues to display increasingly totalitarian attitudes;

2. Calls on all parties in the National Council of the Slovak Republic to do all in their power to proceed as soon as possible to the election of a new President of the Republic and thus to reinstate the full and correct functioning of the Slovak constitution;

3. Calls on the Prime Minister, the current acting President, to authorize as quickly as possible the holding of a referendum on direct presidential elections, thus enabling, if necessary, a presidential election to be held as soon as possible so as to put an end to the political and constitutional impasse;

4. Urges the Prime Minister and, especially during the period in which it assumes presidential powers devolved to it according to the constitution, the Government of the Slovak Republic to refrain from any measures that may cast serious doubts on the latter's determination to take the necessary measures to democratize political life further in the Slovak Republic;

5. Urges the Government and the Parliament of the Slovak Republic to take all the necessary steps fully to respect human rights and the rights of minorities, democracy and the rule of law, in order to fulfil the necessary conditions for continuation of the process of the Slovak Republic's integration in the structures of the European Union, in particular through implementation of the recommendations unanimously and repeatedly adopted at the meetings of the EU-Slovak Republic Joint Parliamentary Committee;

6. Calls on the Slovak authorities to guarantee that the elections scheduled for 1998 will be fair and free and that the rules governing them will be based on the broadest consensus and insists that all political parties be granted access to mass media on equal terms during the election campaign;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, and the Government and Parliament of the Slovak Republic.