B4-0687, 0688, 0691, 0692 and 0693/96

Resolution on Croatia's failure to gain admission to the Council of Europe

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its earlier resolutions on the situation in Croatia and to its opinion of 27 April 1995 ((OJ C 126, 22.5.1995, p. 77.)) on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No. 3906/89 in order to extend economic aid to Croatia (COM(94)0526 - C4-0260/94 - 94/0271(CNS)),

A. whereas on 14 May 1996 the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers decided to postpone Croatian accession and called on the Croat Government to make progress in the area of democracy and human rights,

B. whereas the integration of the republics of the former Yugoslavia into the democratic organisations of Europe constitutes an important element in the establishment of a lasting peace in the region,

C. whereas the integration of the republics of the former Yugoslavia into the democratic structures of Europe can only take place if basic human rights and the rights of minorities as well as the basic principles of democracy are fully respected,

D. gravely concerned by the charges brought against several journalists and by the closure of independent media following the passing of a law restricting the freedom of the press in Croatia, and by the practice whereby state-owned media and independent media are not treated equally when it comes to distribution, access to information, registration, advertising and credit facilities,

E. whereas local elections are due to take place in September and whereas democratic elections will be impossible without independent pluralist media,

1. Notes the decision by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and supports their Political Committee in its decision to postpone Croatia's accession to that institution;

2. Urges the President and the Government of Croatia to comply, as soon as possible, with the fundamental principles of human and democratic rights as laid down in the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties of the Council of Europe;

3. Endorses the decision by the Council of Europe to make Croatia's accession subject to the following conditions:

- respect for the freedom of the press,

- the right of return for Serb refugees,

- full cooperation with The Hague International Tribunal,

- full cooperation with the European Union to solve the Mostar crisis,

- respect for the results of the administrative elections and the election of a Mayor of Zagreb;

4. Urges the Commission and the Council to contribute actively to the development of a full democracy in Croatia by the development of projects in the framework of the PHARE democracy programme;

5. Urges the Croatian authorities to grant all parties access to television and government-controlled media during the election campaign;

6. Calls on the Council of Europe to keep the European Parliament regularly informed of its policy on the accession of new Member States;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the President, Parliament and Government of Croatia and the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.