B4-0300, 0336, 0338, 0339 and 0340/97

Resolution on Albania

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Albania, in particular its resolution of 13 March 1997, and the statement made by its Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy,

A. noting with deep concern the continuing state of insecurity and hardship for the populationin Albania and the ongoing disintegration of the Albanian state organs, which constitute a humanitarian tragedy for the whole of the population in this country; aware that unscrupulous criminal gangs are taking advantage of this situation,

B. noting that the catastrophic situation in Albania has created the need for direct and immediate humanitarian assistance and has caused a growing flow of refugees to neighbouring countries,

C. deploring the Council's failure to decide on any joint action in the framework of the European Union to provide for an adequate protection force for the rapid distribution of humanitarian aid and to contribute actively to the restoration of civil order and the respect of law in Albania,

D. noting, however, at the same time, that some Member States have responded positively to the Albanian Government's request to establish a multinational protection force under the mandate of the UN Security Council to help create a secure environment for the safe provision of international assistance to the victims of this humanitarian tragedy,

E. whereas the UN Security Council, in its resolution 1101, authorized a multinational force to safeguard humanitarian aid in Albania in accordance with Chapter 7 of the UN Charter,

F. deeply shocked by the collision involving a refugee ship heading for Italy resulting in the deaths, according to Albanian authorities, of more than 80 people,

G. stressing the urgency of consolidating Albanian democratic institutions and preventing the further destabilization of the situation and the spread of tensions to bordering countries,

H. emphasizing that concrete steps have to be taken now to guarantee that free and fair elections can be organized in Albania as an essential part of a global process of democratic reconstruction in the country,

I. whereas freedom of the media in Albania is severely restricted, because of state controls on television and radio and because censorship requirements for newspapers under the state of emergency are still in place,

1. Strongly condemns the continuing violence by armed groups in Albania against the ordinary peaceful citizens of the country, and urges them all to give up their arms and to respect law and order;

2. Welcomes and supports the joint efforts of all democratic political forces in Albania to restore civil order and respect for the rule of law in the country;

3. Is of the opinion that an active EU policy towards the events in Albania is essential in order to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance, restore security in the country and prevent the conflict from spreading to neighbouring countries in the region;

4. Welcomes the UN decision, following the initiative by some countries, to send a multinational protection force to safeguard humanitarian aid in Albania and calls on themin particular, but also on all Member States, to contribute to its success and share the burden of giving temporary refuge to people fleeing their country;

5. Strongly criticizes the Council for its inability to take a decision on any joint action under Article J.3. of the EU Treaty in the framework of the European Union and urges it to reconsider its decision;

6. Expresses its deep sympathy with the victims of the tragic accident in the Adriatic and welcomes the investigation into the accident carried out by the Italian authorities in close cooperation with the Albanian authorities;

7. Hopes that the conditions will be created rapidly for the democratic and economic reconstruction of Albania and urges the Commission, the Council and all other international institutions to make the necessary contributions to this process, whilst giving priority to close cooperation with non-governmental organizations already active in this field;

8. Supports the efforts of the Albanian Government of Conciliation to bring stability to the country and prepare Albania for free and fair elections; therefore urges the Council to decide on a joint action acccording to Article J.3. of the EU Treaty to prepare for the organization of democratic elections in Albania which will be free of coercion and fraudulent practices, taking into account the need not only to be present during election day itself, but also to follow closely the electoral campaign;

9. Urges the Council and the Commission to give special attention and support to the establishment of free and independent mass media in Albania, with guaranteed full access for all democratic forces in the country, especially to national television and radio;

10. Calls on the Council and the Commission to define and set up urgently, within the context of a EU regional approach towards south-eastern Europe, a long-term special plan for Albania, with particular attention to the PHARE democracy programme, in order to consolidate the democratic institutions, a free judicial system and to support the development of civil society;

11. Suggests furthermore that the EU offer its technical assistance to the Albanian authorities with a view to restoring the electoral rolls which are reported to have been destroyed in parts of the country;

12. Welcomes the Albanian Prime Minister's statement that the SHIK secret police, which regularly harassed critics of the state, has been disbanded and calls on the Albanian authorities to follow this up by depoliticizing the regular police;

13. Reiterates its demand that a thorough investigation be made in cooperation with the international financial institutions into the existence of pyramid-type "savings" schemes elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkan region, with a view to preventing as much as possible the destabilising consequences of any such systems operating in these regions;

14. Urges the Albanian Government and President to take the steps necessary to avoidputting any obstacles in the way of democratic politicians wishing to participate fully in the democratic reconstruction of Albania;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the OSCE and the Parliament and Government of Albania.