B3-0262/94

Resolution on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the fighting in the former Yugoslavia,

B.whereas there is a danger that the fighting may spread to neighbouring countries,

C.having regard to the rise of nationalism and intolerance in most countries of the former Yugoslavia and in a number of Balkan republics,

D.whereas the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been a self-declared independent state since September 1990, was admitted to the United Nations under this name, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 817, and since then has been recognized by several countries; whereas a majority of EU Member States have established diplomatic relations with it,

E.whereas Greece objects to the new republic's use of the name "Macedonia" and the use of the sun of Véryina as its national emblem; whereas Greece also insists that certain articles in relation to the preamble of the FYROM's constitution, referring to the care of the FYROM for "Macedonian minorities" in the neighbouring countries, be modified and that the FYROM guarantee the security of the common borders,

F.whereas Greece considers the use of the name "Macedonia" by this state to be a distortion of history, an insult to its cultural inheritance, and a further destablisizing influence in the Balkans,

G.having regard to the presence in several countries bordering on Greece of Macedonian nationalist movements, which advocate the reunification of Greater Macedonia, if necessary by force,

H.having regard to the Greek Government's statements that Greece guarantees the independence and sovereignty of this new state, as well as the non-violability of the borders in the area, and has declared its will to include this within the framework of an international agreement,

I.having regard to the efforts by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission to avoid an escalation of the conflict between the two countries and to contribute to the resumption of the dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations,

J.whereas the Greek Government expressed the will to start a dialogue with the FYROM and to support economic cooperation with this country,

K.having regard to Greece's boycott on the FYROM, which entered into force on 17 February 1994,

L.whereas the European Union should act to remove the tension and establish genuine and lasting cooperation between the two countries,

1.Regrets the fact that the Greek Government has taken restrictive trade measures against the FYROM;

2.Calls on the Greek Government to review its decision and lift the boycott on the FYROM without delay and at the same time calls on the Greek and FYROM Governments to resume the dialogue in order to find a solution to the dispute; considers that modification of the FYROM flag and amendment of the disputed articles of its Constitution could improve the climate for finding a solution;

3.Reaffirms its attachment to the fundamental principle of the inviolability of borders, as is accepted by the Governments of both Greece and the FYROM, and warns all extremist and nationalist groups against any attempt to infringe this principle;

4.Welcomes the efforts of the Commission to contribute to a solution of the conflict between Greece and the FYROM and calls on both countries to make a serious effort not to let this conflict escalate and to resolve it by negotiations;

5.Calls on the Greek and FYROM Governments to resume without delay their negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations - if they so wish with the help of the European Union - with a view to removing the causes of tension between the two states;

6.Requests the European Union to do all in its power to bring about a situation of peace and tranquillity in the region, thus creating the conditions for the conclusion of cooperation agreements with these countries and an international treaty guaranteeing the inviolability of the existing borders; in this context calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to step up economic, financial and technical aid from the European Union and its Member States to the FYROM so as to prevent extremist political tendencies from strengthening their position, which would inevitably result from a decline in living conditions;

7.Calls on the governments concerned to bring their influence to bear to calm the extremism and nationalism which have caused so many disasters in the region and calls on the media not to exacerbate the tension;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments of Greece and the FYROM and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.