B4-0227, 0246, 0254, 0259, 0261 and 0263/99

Resolution on the situation in Kosovo

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Kosovo and in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,

- having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 1160 (1998), 1199 (1998) and 1203 (1998),

- having regard to the conclusions of the co-chairmen of the Rambouillet Conference on the future of Kosovo of 23 February 1999,

A. pointing out that, at Rambouillet, the belligerent parties met for the first time, for 17 days under the auspices of the Contact Group, in order to find a political solution to the conflict in Kosovo and that the parties agreed to convene a new conference in the second half of March at which to address all the remaining controversial issues,

B. noting that, at the Rambouillet Conference, progress was achieved on a three-year interim agreement on substantial autonomy for Kosovo, while respecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, leaving the question of Kosovo"s final status to a later date,

C. noting that this agreement includes mechanisms for free and fair elections to democratic institutions in Kosovo, for the governance of Kosovo, for the protection of human rights and the rights of members of national communities and for the establishment of a fair judicial system,

D. noting that this agreement furthermore includes clear arrangements for the establishment of peace and security in Kosovo, including the deployment of an international military force, the complete withdrawal of Yugoslav and Serb armed and security forces, the demilitarisation of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the establishment within one year of a local police force taking over all policing duties in Kosovo,

E. noting that both parties have committed themselves to meeting again in order to complete and to sign the agreement as a whole and to finalise the implementation chapters of the agreement, including the arrangements regarding the invited international civilian and military presence in Kosovo,

F. whereas the ceasefire established in Kosovo last autumn continues to be violated, and the unarmed OSCE observers can do nothing to enforce it,

G. noting that Serbia is continuing to build up its forces along the borders with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania,

H. stressing that the European Union and its Member States should play a key role in the implementation of all aspects of the proposed agreement, as well as in the economic, social and political reconstruction of Kosovo,

I. recalling that the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has full jurisdiction for Kosovo and emphasising that both parties should commit themselves to full and complete cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia with regard to the crimes that have been committed in Kosovo,

J. pointing out that the number of refugees fleeing the areas of conflict is growing and aggravating the already serious situation in the region,

1. Fully supports the efforts of the Rambouillet Peace Conference to find a political solution to the conflict in Kosovo and welcomes the progress made so far;

2. Calls on the parties involved in the conflict to cooperate fully in the further process of completing and signing the agreement;

3. Calls on the parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any action which would undermine the successful conclusion of the Rambouillet Conference, and in particular to respect fully the ceasefire and eschew all provocative action;

4. Is convinced that a peace agreement needs to be sustained by international peace-keeping troops; stresses that such an international presence would enhance the security of both Albanians and Serbs living in the area;

5. Calls on the European Union and its Member States to make a substantial contribution to the implementation of all aspects of this agreement, as well as to the economic, social and political reconstruction of Kosovo;

6. Urges the Council and the Commission to reinforce their assistance to the refugees and displaced persons in the region;

7. Calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia with regard to the crimes that have been committed in Kosovo and calls on the Member States to provide the Tribunal with all evidence in their possession demonstrating the guilt of those chiefly responsible for the crimes committed in Kosovo;

8. Stresses that no concessions shall be made regarding the way the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia carries out its work;

9. Calls again on the Council and the Commission to make a strong commitment to building a civil society in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Contact Group, the United Nations, NATO, the President and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, President Milosevic and the governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia and the representatives of the Kosovan population.