B4-1512, 1521, 1532, 1533, 1535 and 1558/95

Resolution on the former Yugoslavia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Dayton Peace Agreement,

A. welcoming the peace agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina as a starting point for the reconstruction and development of this war-stricken country and stressing that this agreement must be seen as a step in recreating a united Bosnia-Herzegovina,

B. whereas a strong long-term commitment and a concrete programme of assistance by the EU, UN and other international institutions is now needed to implement the peace plan and make it effective in order to achieve stability,

C. welcoming the efforts of the participants in the peace implementation conference in London to guarantee the carrying out of this peace agreement,

D. whereas absolute priority should be given to the realisation and implementation of a programme for economic recovery and civic reconstruction as a crucial element for the establishment of a lasting peace and a just international order in the region, and drawing attention to the expertise of the European Commission acquired by its assistance to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe,

E. stressing that the process of reconstruction in the republics of the former Yugoslavia cannot be limited to massive humanitarian and economic and infrastructural aid but also implies the establishment and reinforcement of democratic structures and the rebuilding of the conditions for the participation of all citizens in the political institutions, no matter which ethnic group they belong to, and the full expression of civil society,

F. saluting the sacrifices made and courage shown by the forces of UNPROFOR, the EU observers, the officials of UN humanitarian agencies and, in particular, by numerous and brave volunteers in NGOs,

1. Welcomes the agreement signed on Bosnia-Herzegovina and calls on the Council and Commission to do everything to ensure that the commitments made by the parties concerned are implemented on the ground;

2. Emphasizes that all efforts to guarantee peace and assist the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina should be aimed at the building up of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society, thus overcoming the effects of ethnic cleansing, and especially at the preservation of the unity of Bosnia-Herzegovina;

3. Warns that the failure to insist on respect for human rights in Serbia, especially in Kosovo, before sanctions are lifted, will provide ample opportunity for future conflict;

4. Warns that, if Bosnia is not again to be exposed to aggression when the NATO Implementation Force is withdrawn in a year's time, it must be provided with the military means of self-defence;

5. Underlines its demands for the reconstruction plan to be applied in such a way that the rule of law and human rights are respected, the refugees may return to their homes, the restoration of multi-ethnicity will have optimal chances, cooperation with the International Tribunal for former Yugoslavia is assured, and the integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the authority of the institutions of the republic will be strengthened;

6. Believes that the adoption of a new constitution for Bosnia-Herzegovina is a crucial step, that this constitution must reflect the values of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society which are the same as those on which the EU is based, and that these values must be clearly stated and guaranteed;

7. Urges all institutions of the EU and the Member States to make the necessary financial means available for the rapid implementation of such a programme for reconstruction and development; calls on the other developed countries to make a comparable financial effort to contribute to this programme;

8. Believes that the Dayton Agreement provides the opportunity and imposes a duty on the EU and its Member States to seek to ensure the following:

(a) the promotion of human and constitutional rights in Kosovo and Vojvodina;

(b) the protection of human and collective rights in Eastern Slavonia;

(c) the search for missing people;

(d) the return of refugees to their homes whenever possible;

(e) the release of political prisoners and prisoners of war;

(f) the extradition of war criminals to face trial before the International Tribunal at The Hague;

(g) the protection of, and assistance to, the most vulnerable people, such as the victims of rape, orphaned and injured children and the victims of torture;

9. Protests strongly against the on-going ethnic cleansing and the blocking of the routes to Goradze by the separatist Serbs, the destruction of houses and the molestation of citizens by the HVO troops inside Bosnia and calls upon the implementation force to end such violations of the Dayton Agreement by all necessary means;

10. Welcomes the creation of a working group on human rights, an international police force and the appointment by the OSCE of an ombudsman;

11. Believes that the electoral process in Bosnia-Herzegovina can start as soon as the problem of the repatriation of refugees is solved, that this process must be closely monitored and assisted by the EU, the OSCE and other international organisations and that the independence of the media must be guaranteed;

12. Believes that the full involvement of NGOs is essential to the positive outcome of the peace plan and that they should be given a consultative status within the reconstruction plan;

13. Urges the governments of all the republics of former Yugoslavia to set up the necessary administrative and management structures in order to guarantee that the programme for economic and civic reconstruction benefits the most afflicted people;

14. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the parliaments of the Member States and the governments and parliaments of other states participating in the Dayton Agreement.