WRITTEN QUESTION E-2170/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Council

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Stability of FYROM

According to press reports, there have recently been attempts to infiltrate groups of persons into FYROM with the aim of destabilising the country. These groups come from Kosovo, consist of UCK units, are engaged in drugs trafficking, smuggling, illegal arms shipments and the illegal trade in people and recently have sought to acquire a political facade, involving themselves in plots to undermine efforts to normalise the situation in Kosovo. However, it is necessary and politically indispensable to ensure the stability, peace and security of a state such as FYROM which has repeatedly acted responsibly in the Kosovo crisis, and in the region in general. Furthermore, it is assumed that the bodies responsible for the administration of Kosovo are answerable for their actions to the European Union.

What measures does the Council intend to take to put an end to the efforts by these circles to destabilise FYROM?

Has the Council checked whether cooperation ties have been established between these groups and the peculiar authority which has been established in Kosovo?

Reply

(9 November 2000)

The Feira European Council confirmed that its objective remained the fullest possible integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the political and economic mainstream of Europe, including the prospect of accession once all of the conditions had been met. Furthermore, at France's initiative, a summit meeting will be held in the autumn between the European Union and the Balkan States to assure these countries of Europe's solidarity and to study together the means to accelerate the process of democratic and economic reform.

The FYROM is fully involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process for the Western Balkans. This Process aims to bring about stability in the region and includes Stabilisation and Association Agreements, the liberalisation of trade, political dialogue, substantial economic and financial aid and cooperation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs. The future Stabilisation and Association Agreement that the EU is currently negotiating with the FYROM will in point of fact entail closer cooperation, including financial aid, in the field of Justice and Home Affairs. The Council welcomes the progress made thus far in the negotiations and hopes that they will be concluded as soon as possible.

The Feira European Council also underlined the importance it attaches to the inviolability of frontiers, and in particular to the territorial integrity of FYROM; it also reaffirmed its support for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1244.

In this context, the Council fully supports the efforts deployed by UNMIK in Kosovo, in particular in the fields of border controls and emigration, drug and arms trafficking and the smuggling of contraband goods. In this respect the Honourable Member is no doubt aware that the EU is the largest contributor to UNMIK in terms of financial and staff resources, including police forces.

The Council has started to reflect on a coordinated approach to combating organised crime in the Western Balkans, taking into account the relevant conclusions from the Ancona Conference, the Adriatic and Ionian Cooperation Process and the work achieved at Table 3 of the Stability Pact.