| United Nations | A/50/412 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
7 September 1995
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH/SPANISH
Fiftieth session
Item 81 of the provisional agenda*
MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Development of good-neighbourly relations among Balkan States
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION ........................................ 1 - 22
II. INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENTS ............... 3 - 1222
Austria ............................................. 3 - 122
Bulgaria ............................................ 13 - 224
Chile ............................................... 237
Croatia ............................................. 24 - 567
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ........... 57 - 7514
Turkey .............................................. 76 - 7918
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 80 - 8419
Yugoslavia .......................................... 85 - 12219
________________________
* A/50/150.
95-27209 (E) 041095/...
*9527209*
I. INTRODUCTION
1. On 16 December 1993, the General Assembly adopted resolution 48/84 B,
entitled "Development of good-neighbourly relations among Balkan States",
of which the relevant operative paragraphs read as follows:
"The General Assembly,
"...
"4. Requests the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States,
particularly those from the Balkan region, and of international
organizations, as well as of competent organs of the United Nations, on the
development of good-neighbourly relations in the region and on measures and
preventive activities aimed at creation of a stable zone of peace and
cooperation in the Balkans by the year 2000;
"5. Decides to consider the report of the Secretary-General on the
subject at its fiftieth session."
2. Pursuant to the request contained in that resolution, the
SecretaryGeneral, in a note verbale, requested Member States to provide the
relevant information on the matter. Replies received from Governments are
reproduced in section II of the report. Any other replies received will be
issued as addenda to the present report.
II. INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENTS
AUSTRIA
[Original: English]
[31 May 1995]
3. Austria supports all efforts aimed at creating favourable conditions
for a stable zone of peace and cooperation in the Balkans. The centrepiece
for stability in this area is a just political solution based on the
principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe and international law. Only such a
solution will promise to be enduring.
4. Complementary to such an agreement, efforts aimed at longer-term
stability will have to address, inter alia, the question of refugees and
displaced persons, the establishment of truly democratic institutions,
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of
national minorities, and economic rehabilitation. To achieve this,
concerted action by the international community through national efforts
and through the relevant international organizations will be needed.
5. Austria would like to dwell on one particular aspect of longer-term
stability in the Balkans, namely the question of military security.
6. The JNA, the armed forces of the former Yugoslavia, was considered to
be the fifth largest army in Europe. The major part of this army was taken
over by Serbia/Montenegro ("Federal Republic of Yugoslavia"), one of the
five successor States of the former Yugoslavia. The armed forces of
Serbia/Montenegro possess about 60 per cent of the battle tanks, 85 per
cent of the armoured combat vehicles (ACVs), 65 per cent of the artillery
pieces and 85 per cent of the combat aircraft and attack helicopters of the
former JNA, although the size of the territory and of the population of
Serbia/Montenegro is less than 40 per cent of those of the former Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The armed forces of Serbia/Montenegro are
stronger in terms of quantity and quality than those of most of its
neighbours.
7. While most of the neighbouring countries of the former Yugoslavia are
bound by the agreements under the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe
(CFE) limiting the personnel strength and the major conventional weapons
systems of their armed forces, States which have emerged on the territory
of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia seem to be engaged
in an arms race endangering the stability of the whole region. Such a
development is particularly threatening because this region has for nearly
3 1/2 years been the scene of the bloodiest war in Europe since 1945.
There is also a high propensity in this region for further violence due to
traditional animosities, latent ethnic tensions and new enmities. It is
therefore imperative that the military imbalances in this region be
corrected through arms control measures and not through an arms build-up.
8. It goes without saying that negotiations on arms control measures for
south-eastern Europe can only begin once a peace agreement between all
parties to the conflict has been achieved and the relations between all the
States which have emerged on the territory of the former Socialist Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia normalized. However, in parallel to the peace
efforts undertaken by the international community, one should consider how
a political settlement could be reinforced by a set of measures for
military stability. Without military stability peace in this area would
remain fragile. At the first session of the OSCE Forum for Security
Cooperation on 22 September 1992, Hungary proposed as "food for thought"
regional negotiations on the establishment of a stable balance of armed
forces between all new States on the territory of the former Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at the lowest possible levels. Starting from
this proposal a group of countries has developed a number of ideas
pertinent to a possible arms control regime for south-eastern Europe.
9. The concept is not aimed against any country; it should meet the
security needs of all the countries in the region. It is based on the idea
that the maximum levels of holdings of conventional armaments and equipment
as well as limits for personnel of the independent States created on the
territory of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia shall be
commensurate with their legitimate defence needs.
10. The concept comprises the following elements:
(a) The maximum levels of holdings and personnel limits of these States
shall be agreed by them in regional negotiations with the participation of
other concerned OSCE States. The agreed levels of individual States shall
take into account the principle of sufficiency. Taken together, these
levels shall not exceed the holdings of the States which existed before
1991 in this region;
(b) Conventional armaments and equipment of the successor States of the
former Yugoslavia shall include at least the five categories of
conventional armaments and equipment limited by the CFE treaty;
(c) Paramilitary forces shall be limited in order to prevent a
circumvention of obligations;
(d) All irregular forces in the region shall be disbanded. An effective
verification of reductions and holdings shall be established;
(e) In addition to the obligations undertaken by these States, a set of
appropriate confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) and
stabilizing measures will be agreed among all regional States. Thus, the
arms control regime for south-eastern Europe would consist of two tiers of
commitments.
11. Obviously such negotiations can only begin once all States of the
region fully participate in international and regional organizations
offering an appropriate framework. However, it would be important for all
the parties to a political settlement, in the context of such a settlement,
to agree in principle to the concept of military stability in south-eastern
Europe. Early progress in the negotiations on arms control, disarmament,
as well as confidence- and security-building in south-eastern Europe, could
be enhanced through a variety of incentives offered by the international
community.
12. Although a priority task of these negotiations might be the
elaboration of special CSBMs and stabilizing measures reinforcing a peace
agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, arms control through limitations and,
where necessary, reductions should be on the agenda from the very
beginning.
BULGARIA
[Original: English]
[30 August 1995]
13. Situated in South-Central Europe, parts of which have today become the
arena of one of the most intractable conflicts in modern history, the
Republic of Bulgaria attaches primary importance to regional security and
arms control issues. A particular emphasis is put on the further
enhancement of goodneighbourly relations as a basic prerequisite for the
establishment of an atmosphere of peace, security and cooperation in the
region, as well as on the entire European continent.
14. In pursuing this goal Bulgaria has signed treaties on friendly
relations and cooperation with Greece, Turkey, Albania and Romania.
Through regular highlevel political contacts and broadening of economic
cooperation with its neighbours Bulgaria contributes greatly to the
stability in South-Central Europe.
15. Bulgaria has also signed bilateral confidence- and security-building
measures (CSBM) agreements with Greece and Turkey complementary to the OSCE
Vienna Document 1994, which provide for lower thresholds for notification
and observation. A similar agreement is expected to be signed soon with
Romania. There seems to be a common understanding among the above States
that bilateral CSBMs, once agreed, should lead to greater transparency in
military activities, thus having a stabilizing effect, especially in border
areas, and stimulating contacts between the military of the respective
States at the lowest possible level.
16. However, promoting multilateral cooperation in the region and
achieving comprehensive security and confidence in South-Central Europe are
impossible under the conditions of the continuing conflict in the former
Yugoslavia.
17. Regretfully, the international community has not been able so far to
find a peaceful settlement. In order to avoid this region becoming the
source of a broader and far more devastating conflict, which would impact
on the whole European continent, the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria
would like to submit to the attention of the international community three
sets of tasks which require urgent consideration and immediate action:
(a) First, to reach, as soon as possible, a peaceful, lasting and
balanced settlement to the conflict on the territory of the former
Yugoslavia;
(b) Second, to prevent the "spillover" of the conflict beyond its
present limits;
(c) Third, to start laying even now, the foundations for lasting
stability, security and cooperation in the South-Central European region as
an integral part of a united Europe of democratic values and institutions.
18. Bulgaria has systematically pursued policies designed to support the
efforts of the international community aimed at resolving and containing
the conflict on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. Bulgaria has
consistently and in good faith implemented United Nations Security Council
sanctions as an instrument for achieving a negotiated settlement to the
conflict, notwithstanding the strong negative impact on the country's
economy. The crisis in the former Yugoslavia has, in fact, blocked
Bulgaria's traditional transport and community links to the rest of Europe.
19. Security and stability are multidimensional. Overcoming the serious
economic problems and integrating the infrastructure of the region with the
whole of Europe are of paramount importance not only to Bulgaria, but also
to the whole south-central part of the continent. In this respect the
third set of tasks indicated above should not be postponed until the post-
conflict period. The effort should result in the elaboration of a common
forward-looking comprehensive stability- and security-enhancing approach,
as well as in practical steps for its implementation.
20. In the arms control field, Bulgaria shares the view that the
establishment of a future harmonized arms control regime should combine
measures of an allEuropean and a regional character, reflecting in every
concrete situation the concept of indivisible security. Any
disproportional concentration of armaments, especially when combined with a
lack of control mechanisms, could have a negative impact on security and
stability. Therefore, the establishment of a credible system of arms
control and SCBMs for the territory of the former Yugoslavia will be an
essential part of the comprehensive post-war settlement. The relevant
international bodies like the United Nations and the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe should play a very important role in
this respect.
21. In order to realize the concept of a peaceful, stable and secure
SouthCentral European region as a part of the whole European continent, the
Government of the Republic of Bulgaria would like to put forward the
following suggestions:
(a) Reaffirmation of the basic standards of good-neighbourly relations
and the existing internationally recognized borders, as well as of all OSCE
principles and norms in the regional context;
(b) Development of trans-border cooperation including modernization and
upgrading of check-points and border-crossing and customs procedures, thus
facilitating the free movement of commodities, services, capital and
people, as well as promoting cooperation at the local level;
(c) Elaborating ways and means of overcoming the stagnation and
injecting economic dynamism into the region through infrastructure
development and properly structured foreign investment and financial and
technical assistance;
(d) Development, upgrading and interconnection of transport,
telecommunications and energy infrastructures in the region with the trans-
European networks as a major instrument for fostering sustained economic
growth;
(e) Further improvement of the legal basis for trade and commerce, as
well as rapid expansion of bilateral trade flows through trade promotion
facilities and mechanisms;
(f) Promoting long-term cooperation for social and economic
rehabilitation and for building democratic institutions and civic societies
in an environment of political stability and economic growth.
22. The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria is ready to contribute
actively to the implementation of these goals.
CHILE
[Original: Spanish]
[31 May 1995]
23. Chile supports all efforts by the international community, and
primarily by the parties concerned, to achieve peace in the region.
CROATIA
[Original: English]
[26 July 1995]
24. As a Central European, Mediterranean and Danubian country, Croatia is
vitally interested in the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation
and the strengthening of European integration processes in the entire
region. Hence the special importance Croatia attaches to a real, efficient
and lasting transformation of the whole of South-Eastern Europe, including
the Balkans, into a zone of good-neighbourly relations, stability, peace
and cooperation, including the permanent stabilization of overall relations
in this part of the continent.
25. Croatia supports United Nations General Assembly resolution 48/84 B on
the development of good-neighbourly relations among the Balkan States and
awaits the report by the Secretary-General to the fiftieth session of the
Assembly in the hope that it will give a realistic account of the state of
affairs in the region and contain specific and well-elaborated initiatives,
as well as proposed measures and actions for urgent stabilization, economic
reconstruction and development of these areas, including the establishment
of good neighbourliness in the interest of both the region and Europe and
the international community as a whole. In this connection Croatia is
ready to make its full and active contribution and assist the Secretary-
General and the United Nations institutions.
26. The south-east of Europe is a central and unavoidable point in any
general geo-strategic definition and elaboration of the Euro-Asian system
of security. Due to its historic experience of mixing and conflicting
civilizations, due to the diversity of interests manifested by big powers
and unresolved national issues, this part of the European continent has
been more often exposed to instability, conflicts and wars than
characterized by stability and peace.
27. In addition to considerable material and human resources, this area
has an exceptional value as an indispensable link between the European West
and East, North and South, as well as between Europe and Central Asia or
the Middle East.
28. The collapse of the communist system and the end of cold war,
accompanied by the victory of democracy in most States arisen from the
former Yugoslavia, have brought this region into a new stage of history by
having created the conditions required for the final self-determination of
nations and complete emancipation of States in this region. The former
Yugoslav federation has disappeared as part of this historic process and
new internationally recognized, independent and sovereign successor States
with equal rights have emerged.
29. Croatia firmly believes that the indisputable fact of the existence of
these sovereign States provides a very sound and the only possible basis
for establishing, building and strengthening a new regional system of
security and stability, based on the respect for independence and
territorial integrity of all and each of the States in the region being
equally responsible for the maintenance of regional peace.
30. The United Nations Security Council resolutions 757 (1992) and 777
(1992) and General Assembly resolution 47/1 from 1992, as well as the
Opinion 9 of the Arbitration Commission of the International Conference on
the Former Yugoslavia, confirm that the State formerly known as Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) ceased to exist and that neither of
the equal successor States could claim the exclusive right to the
succession of the rights and obligations of the former Yugoslav federation.
31. SFR Yugoslavia finally ceased to exist in the war of aggression waged
by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and Serbia - following illegal
decisions by a part of the Presidency of that federal State - against the
former constituent units: Slovenia, Croatia and then Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
32. Prior to the proclamation of independence Croatia and Slovenia, both
jointly and separately, came up with several proposals for a peaceful
resolution of the crisis in the former State: they first proposed a
confederation and, finally, a commonwealth of independent States. This was
met with resolute and outright rejection by Serbia and its leadership
whereas, at the same time, JNA completed intensive preparations for and
then started its aggression against each of the mentioned States with the
aim of coming to and drawing the so-called western borders of Serbia.
33. This basic and indisputable responsibility for the ensuing crisis, war
and suffering in the area is best exemplified by the international status,
including within the United Nations and almost all international
organizations, which the State that has caused and waged the war - Serbia
or FRY (Serbia/Montenegro) has held for several years, on which sanctions
have been imposed and which has been excluded from virtually all
international organizations.
34. Croatia believes that lasting stability in the Balkans and the south-
east of Europe can be established only if it is based on the principle of
full equality and equal rights and obligations of all States in the region.
In this manner it will be possible to do away with the security vacuum
which has opened the door to aggression and the ensuing war crisis, caused
by the hegemonistic aspirations of Serbia and Montenegro to the sovereign
territories of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, combined with the policy
of the threat and use of force against other neighbouring countries.
35. One of the most obvious aspects of the open aggression and use of
force against Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is the continuous presence
and activity of the manpower, including top-ranking officers, of the
Yugoslav Army in the parts of the sovereign territories of these two States
Members of the United Nations. Such continuous presence of these troops is
the main reason why the relations between the States of the area cannot be
normalized.
36. Peace and good neighbourliness in the south-east of Europe and the
Balkans can be ensured only by establishing an integral regional order of
mutual relations in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations, the
Helsinki and Copenhagen Documents and the Charter of Paris. Such a new
regional order must be specifically based on independence, complete
sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the existing States.
37. A prerequisite for overall normalization and the creation of
conditions for good-neighbourly relations and cooperation is the
application of and respect for the highest democratic standards in the area
of human and minority rights. The elements of such a framework for the new
regional order should include:
(a) Unconditional recognition without further delay of all new States
within their internationally recognized borders, especially by "FRY"
(Serbia and Montenegro), plus consistent and strict respect for these
borders as condicio sine qua non for a just and lasting solution to any
individual aspect of the crisis, as well as the stabilization of the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its position through implementation of
relevant Security Council resolutions in accordance with the standards of
international law. As far as Croatia is concerned such peaceful
settlements imply complete restoration of the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of Croatia within its internationally recognized borders, with
full guarantees of minority rights given to the Serbian ethnic community in
Croatia accompanied, should there be a need, by international monitoring.
A peaceful settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be achieved by
implementing the peace plan of the Contact Group and the Washington
Agreements and through the establishment and international affirmation of
the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a model of and a precondition
for, as well as a vital cornerstone of, a new balanced regional order. The
stabilization of the position of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
implies in the first place that it should regulate its relations with the
neighbouring States, subject to strict mutual respect for sovereignty,
independence and non-interference in internal affairs and combined with
proper guarantees of minority rights;
(b) Ensuring the right to safe and dignified return of all displaced
persons and the reconstruction of war-ravaged areas, with preconditions to
be created for continuous development assisted by the international
community;
(c) Normalization of relations between the States in the region with
consistent respect for international borders, the implementation of the
highest European standards in dealing with minority issues and the
inclusion of bilateral and multilateral instruments regarding minority
issues in the Stability Pact in Europe, as well as addressing other open
issues by political means, negotiations or through international mediation;
(d) The establishment of open relations and transparent cooperation
among the States in the region in all areas, such as economy, trade,
transport, telecommunications, environmental protection and other areas of
common interest for independent and versatile development of the States and
of the region as a whole based on the openness of the region to all
neighbouring regions in order to ensure unimpeded flow of people, goods and
capital;
(e) Intensifying the process of including each individual State and,
ultimately, the whole region in the integration of Europe, subject to the
fulfilment of the existing conditions, especially with respect to human and
civil rights, with international support and supervision through OSCE, the
Council of Europe and other international institutions;
(f) The establishment of the CSBM system and stabilizing measures,
including a balanced arms control system based on and within the framework
of the CFE agreement, as initiated by Croatia within CSCE by the letter of
9 September 1993 from the Croatian President and as proposed by Croatia at
the Rome CSCE Ministerial Conference of 30 November 1994.
38. Within OSCE Croatia continues to cooperate with several European
States (Austria, Turkey, Hungary) in order to move the process formally in
this direction once the right opportunity arises.
39. The new regional security order must be based on the existence of a
defence potential necessary for the exercise of the right to national
defence along with a new security system to be built in Europe, which is to
say that:
(a) Military doctrines of the States in the region should be exclusively
defensive and in all respects adapted to the international agreements on
restricted use of military force and non-use of chemical, biological and
nuclear weapons;
(b) The successor States to the former SFR Yugoslavia should reach an
agreement on the highest level of armament they are allowed to keep,
including manpower restrictions in conformity with their legitimate defence
requirements;
(c) The highest potentials and manpower restrictions in the successor
States to the former SFR Yugoslavia, taken together, should not exceed the
level and restrictions fixed for the former SFR Yugoslavia to the effect
that neither of the States can be allowed to have more than a fair share in
the potential of the former SFR Yugoslavia (defence sufficiency principle);
(d) The conventional armament of the successor States to the former SFR
Yugoslavia, thus restricted, should include all categories of weapons and
equipment subject to CFE restrictions;
(e) Irregular forces should be disbanded;
(f) Manpower restrictions should comprise paramilitary troops;
(g) An efficient verification mechanism should be established to monitor
arms reduction and adherence to the fixed ceiling. Also required is
initial inspection to define the starting state of affairs;
(h) A set of appropriate stabilizing measures should be agreed.
40. It goes without saying that negotiations can begin only when all the
States in the region accept the United Nations and OSCE principles and
standards of international relations. Such negotiations should be
conducted at the level of a regional group to be set up within the OSCE
Forum for Cooperation in the Area of Security. Croatia will continue to
contribute to the establishment of the kind of relations within OSCE and
the United Nations which are likely to lead to a peaceful settlement in the
region and good neighbourliness.
41. Adhering to the Charter of the United Nations, the standards of
international law and the Declaration on Principles of International Law
concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance
with the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the principles defined
within OSCE, since gaining independence Croatia has been actively engaged
in developing good-neighbourly relations with all its direct and indirect
neighbours. In this area significant results have been achieved in its
relations with Albania, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania,
Slovenia, Turkey and, especially, with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
42. Croatia attaches special importance to regional cooperation in Europe
and thus pursues an active policy within the Central European Initiative,
the AlpsAdria Working Community and the Community of Danube Countries.
43. Croatia is also actively engaged in negotiating the institutional
links with the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe and is
interested in taking part in the Partnership for Peace with the ultimate
aim of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) itself.
Croatia believes that the extension of the existing and the creation of new
security instruments to encompass the countries of the region are an urgent
and vital prerequisite for stabilization and overcoming the present
security vacuum in this part of the Euro-Asian area. Croatia's views stem
from its geo-strategic position and its political, economic, technological
and cultural features, and are thus closely linked to its long-term
strategic interests, including a political settlement to the crisis in the
region as a precondition for democratic and independent development.
44. The new regional order in South-East Europe and the Balkans must be
and can be based on the overall normalization of the relations between the
Croatian and Serbian peoples, which is to say, between Croatia and Serbia.
Such normalization should be based on mutual and permanent respect for the
real national interests of the two peoples and their States, dealing with
issues by peaceful political means and laying the foundation for
cooperation between two completely independent and sovereign States. This
implies proper solutions to the position of their respective ethnic
communities, the Croatian in Serbia and the Serbian in Croatia.
45. Croatia is putting its best efforts to this end. However, any
normalization process must be preceded by recognition of Croatia and Bosnia
and Herzegovina by FRY (Serbia/Montenegro), within their internationally
recognized boundaries, as well as by public and legally binding
renouncement of territorial gains achieved through illegal change of
international borders by the use of force. It must also be preceded by
cessation of any further military activities and armed violence against the
neighbour States.
46. FRY (Serbia/Montenegro) is persistently refusing to commit itself to
such recognition, although demanded to do so by Security Council
resolutions, EU and the positions taken by the G7+1 (group of major
industrialized countries plus the Russian Federation) and the Contact
Group. The present attitude of the socalled FRY towards the sovereign and
internationally recognized neighbouring States indicates that it is not
really prepared for a peaceful settlement or for renouncing the territorial
conquests achieved through open aggression against Croatia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina and for the establishment of a new regional order in accordance
with international law.
47. The existing international sanctions imposed on FRY
(Serbia/Montenegro) as a crucial agent in regulating the regional relations
and virtually the only means of international pressure must remain in force
and be tightened. Any alleviation of the sanctions must be unequivocally
accompanied by actual cessation of the aggressive actions by Belgrade and
clear evidence of its firm commitment to the implementation of peaceful
solutions as an irreversible process.
48. Since the emergence of the political crisis and the outbreak of war in
South-East Europe Croatia has been consistently engaged in efforts to find
a political solution to all the causes and consequences of the conflicts
with the assistance and mediation of the international community. In
adhering to such principles Croatia has accepted the internationalization
of the problem and the presence of international representatives, including
the presence of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) and the
United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation (UNCRO) on its soil,
convinced that consistent, efficient and determined implementation of their
mandates may lead to the desired progress towards peace.
49. At the same time, Croatia has been cooperative in the international
community's peace endeavours to the maximum extent and has been proposing
peace initiatives of its own.
50. With its democratic Constitution and the special Constitutional Law on
Human Rights and the Rights of Ethnic Communities or Minorities Croatia has
already laid down a constitutional framework for a lasting solution to the
conflict and the safe existence of the Serbian minority in Croatia. These
constitutional solutions were a precondition for the recognition of the
Republic of Croatia by EC.
51. Thus the members of the Serbian ethnic community are guaranteed not
only individual human and ethnic rights and cultural autonomy, but also
local selfgovernment in the areas where the Serbian population constituted
a majority before the war, i.e. in the districts of Knin and Glina.
Further, the Peace Initiative by the Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman
of 1 November 1993 on the peaceful reintegration of the occupied areas of
Croatia envisages a strong commitment of the Croatian State to urgent
reconstruction and development of these areas, combined with the
realization of all social, educational, selfgovernment and other rights of
the population living there.
52. It was along these lines that Croatia negotiated in good faith and
signed the Cease-fire Agreement plus several economic agreements (opening
of traffic routes, oil pipeline, etc.), striving to normalize the overall
situation in the country and to create conditions for talks on the
political aspects of peaceful reintegration of the occupied areas.
However, the present self-proclaimed leadership of the Croatian Serbs broke
all signed economic agreement by closing the motorway and the oil pipeline.
They also broke the Cease-fire Agreement by continuing with their
provocations and attacks on the free parts of Croatia and on parts of the
territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
53. At the same time, FRY (Serbia/Montenegro), i.e. the Yugoslav Army, has
continued with a direct military intervention and infiltration of
personnel, troops and equipment in the occupied Croatian territories.
Meanwhile, FRY (Serbia/Montenegro) have set up a new military command over
the renegade forces of the Croatian Serbs, who are on FRY's payroll.
54. The responsibility for the absence of any progress towards a peaceful
settlement lies with the rebel Serbs in Croatia, as well as the Bosnian
Serbs when it comes to the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At
Belgrade's instigation and with its support, including military, the
Croatian Serbs persevere in their policy of no conciliation by adamantly
refusing to negotiate the peaceful reintegration of the occupied Croatian
territories in defiance of all the relevant resolutions of the Security
Council and General Assembly resolution 49/43, whereas the Bosnian Serbs
reject the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina of the Contact Group. Due
to such an attitude towards the peace process and the complete inefficiency
and inconsistency of the international peace mediators and the United
Nations peace-keeping forces in the field, the current conflict is
deteriorating and the prospects for its de-escalation have weakened and the
chances of opening the way to a lasting political solution have diminished.
55. A peaceful solution to the present acute and extremely dangerous
crisis one that would end up in a stable regional order, equality of States
and good neighbourliness in the region - requires the active engagement of
the most responsible international forums, especially the Security Council
and United Nations Secretary-General. An important role in it belongs to
EU, OSCE, the Council of Europe and NATO. Important chances for concrete
and creative engagement could be offered by the Economic Commission for
Europe of the United Nations.
56. Croatia expects the United Nations Secretary-General to consult and
take into account the ideas of these important regional institutions and
organizations before submitting his report on the situation and prospects
of transforming the Balkans into a zone of peace, stability and
cooperation.
THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
[Original: English]
[20 June 1995]
57. The present situation in the Balkans is characterized by the existence
of many open issues, conflicts and opposed interests among the Balkan
States, inherited from the past and not resolved up to this day. There
have always been initiatives for development of good-neighbourly relations
and cooperation, as well as for development of multilateral forms of
cooperation in the Balkans. In certain periods the promotion of relations
among the Balkan States by peaceful means was dominant. However, there
have been periods when force was used for resolving the problems or the
disputes.
58. The history of the Balkans is more a history of conflicts than a
history of cooperation. Everything possible should be done to prevent the
repetition of such a destiny in the future. This is possible. It depends
on the political will and the readiness of the Balkan States and nations,
and on European and world factors, to direct developments in that
direction.
59. The geopolitical position of the Balkans has always been extremely
important strategically to the non-Balkan Powers. The Balkans' natural
resources, potential and other capacities have always been the cause for
their constant interest in the region. This is why the situation in the
Balkans has always influenced the nature of European and world politics, as
well as the foreign policy of the European and world Powers. The two world
wars lasted the longest in the Balkans. Illustrative is the fact of the
long-lasting war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Croatia.
60. All Balkan States are burdened with the past and with their history.
Some forces and certain circles, which are not without influence, are
promoting aspirations outside of their State. The myth and the tendency to
create socalled "greater States" is also present. This makes the relations
among Balkan States very sensitive. It also increases the mistrust between
them. However, officially and publicly all Balkan States have declared
themselves in favour of the development of good-neighbourly relations.
61. After the First and Second World Wars, there were initiatives for
multilateral inter-Balkan cooperation. There were proposals for a Balkan
Federation, Balkan treaties, Balkan non-nuclear arms zones, Balkan
alliances in different areas and so on. There are proposals of this kind
today, too, after the cold war. It is important to note that all Balkan
States have been initiators of certain proposals. A certain number of
these initiatives, for instance in the fields of sport, culture,
humanitarian assistance and traffic, have been successful. Difficulties,
however, have always arisen with the initiatives in the political field.
The main reason for this, especially after the Second World War, was the
division of the Balkan States on the basis of their political and
ideological position and their membership in different military blocs.
That results in the political field were limited was also due to the
different positions of the Balkan States on the issue of national
minorities, as well as to their unwillingness to abandon certain
aspirations, dogmas and double standards, and to accept reality and the
accepted international standards and behaviour in the relations between
States.
62. In such a situation the question whether the Balkan region could be
transformed from a conflict zone or, as it is sometimes referred to, a
"powder keg", into a zone of peace and cooperation, an integral part of an
integrated Europe, has to be asked. The Government of the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia considers this to be possible, realistic and
indispensable. This can be most speedily achieved by strict observance of
the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and of General Assembly
resolution 48/84 B by all Balkan and non-Balkan States and factors, and by
taking and implementing decisive measures and activities with the aim of
integrating all Balkan States into the European democratic processes and of
preventing the use of force and other means contrary to international law
in the resolution of the outstanding issues. In that the most important
rule should be the respect of the accepted norms governing international
relations and the observance of the territorial integrity, national
sovereignty and political independence of all Balkan States.
63. In the development of good-neighbourly relations among Balkan States
an important contribution can be made not only by the Balkan States
themselves, but also by the non-Balkan States, especially those which have
already developed important cooperation with the former. Important
contribution can also be made by the United Nations Secretary-General, the
General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council,
the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the specialized agencies
and others. The contribution by the European organizations and
institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, and especially by the
OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the European Union could also be of great
significance.
64. The implementation of the objectives set forth in the resolution 48/84
B requires the preparation of a separate programme of measures and
activities for the development of good-neighbourly relations in the region
aimed at creation of a stable zone of peace and cooperation by the year
2000. This is the basic request of the resolution. The most competent
authority of the United Nations to prepare such a programme is the
Secretary-General, in close cooperation with OSCE and the Council of
Europe. The General Assembly could adopt this programme at its fifty-first
or fifty-second session.
65. There are many materials (reports, studies) on the Balkans done by
governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as by competent
authors (Balkanologists). Different ideas for the destiny and the past of
the Balkan region, the Balkan States and the Balkan nations are considered
in them. But there is little on the vision of the future development of
the Balkans, its integration in the processes of development of a new
Europe, in the Europeanization of the Balkans in the sense of implementing
the positive modern achievements in cooperation among States, and in the
current integration processes; these should also be the main concern of the
proposed programme.
66. In order for a credible programme to be prepared, it would be
necessary for the Secretary-General to prepare a separate report on the
Balkans, on the basis of the existing documentation and on additional
research, undertaken as part of the preparation of that report. This
report/study could be the basis for the preparation of the proposed
programme, which should be called "Agenda on the Europeanization of the
Balkans". This report could give an overview of the situation in the
Balkans. Special attention should be paid to the outstanding issues and to
the ways they could be resolved, to the prospects for the Balkans and its
Europeanization. In view of the fact that the nature, quality and scope of
the relations between the Balkan States differ, it would be useful, as part
of the report, to prepare and propose "a model for modern European
goodneighbourly relations among the Balkan States". All Balkan States
would like to be admitted to the European Union as soon as possible (Greece
is a member) and therefore it would be advisable to prepare this part of
the Report in close cooperation with the European Union and with the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).
67. It would be useful if the report and the agenda of the Secretary-
General, before being considered and adopted/noted by the General Assembly,
could be discussed and verified by an ad hoc forum (symposium or round
table) organized by the Secretary-General and by a Balkan State interested
in hosting such a meeting. Renowned experts on Balkan issues could also be
invited to take part as independent experts. The Government of the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is prepared, in cooperation with the
Secretary-General, to organize such a meeting in 1996 or 1997.
68. The proposed agenda for the Europeanization of the Balkans could also
refer to current Balkan topics. It could be an important contribution
towards resolving the consequences of the present war in Bosnia and
Herzegovina and in Croatia, especially by securing the necessary
international support for the reconstruction and development of these
States after the war. It is well known that all Balkan States and other
neighbouring States have sustained huge material damages and losses due to
the war, as well as to the consequences of the United Nations sanctions
against FR Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). The necessity of
international action for the reconstruction of the Balkans after the wars
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, after the end of the present Balkan
crisis, is obvious.
69. The proposed agenda could also be useful to normalize the relations
between the Republic of Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, and the FR Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). Furthermore,
this agenda could also be of use in resolving the current outstanding
issues between Albania and the FR Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), then
between Turkey and Greece, between Albania and Greece, between Romania and
Hungary, between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece, as
well as for the elimination of the existing impediments and barriers
between Balkan States.
70. Special attention could be paid in the proposed agenda to the position
and the role of the national minorities, which are numerous in the Balkan
region and have different status. Minority issues in the Balkans have
always been the causes of conflict.
71. The bilateral relations between the Balkan States in all spheres
legislative, economic, cultural, sport - and cooperation between different
social and interest associations should also be referred to in the proposed
Agenda. It would be useful if the basic data/facts concerning each of the
Balkan States were noted. Another useful matter that should be emphasized
in the agenda is the necessary activities that the Balkan States should
undertake in the process of their Europeanization (membership in the
European institutions, adoption and implementation of the European
standards in all spheres, in the development of democracy, in the
observance of human rights, etc). It is very important that the agenda
should be a means for speeding up the process of including the Balkan
States in European integration. It should be in the interest of all Balkan
States and they all should benefit from it. In this way the agenda will be
a very important contribution towards strengthening Balkan and European
security.
72. It is expected that the Secretary-General's report on resolution 48/84
B will cover essential issues and that it will be action oriented. There
is hope that it could open up new prospects for the Balkan States and that
it will help in the realization of their aspirations for speedy integration
into the European structures. It will be also a good opportunity for the
Secretary-General to give an overview of a number of current issues in the
Balkans. It would be useful if the Secretary-General could inform the
General Assembly about the current numerous activities being carried out in
the Balkans by the United Nations, the specialized agencies, OSCE, the
Council of Europe and other competent international organizations.
73. The Balkans have been the centre of interest of the international
community for several years. The United Nations is present in the region
with its peacekeeping forces, then with humanitarian assistance and other
activities. The European countries are also present, especially the
members of the European Union. Present also are the United States of
America, the Russian Federation and others. However, the expected results
in terms of ending the war, helping the transition and resolving the
outstanding issues and the Europeanization of the Balkan States are not
satisfactory. One of the main reasons for the failure is the palliative
attitude towards the difficult situation in the Balkans and marginal
attention dedicated to preventive actions and to the development of good-
neighbourly relations based on mutual respect and equality. It is clear
that the Balkan States must observe and practice tolerance and live in
peace as good neighbours. There is hope that this activity of the General
Assembly, based on its resolution 48/84 B, in which the Secretary-General
could play an important role, will be of essential help to the development
of good-neighbourly relations in the region.
74. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, from the start of its
independence, has committed itself to the development of good-
neighbourliness and to follow the principle of equidistance in its
relations with its neighbours and the European standards in the development
of democracy, the rule of law, a market economy, the observance of human
rights, including those of national minorities, and so on. It also
committed itself to follow strictly the principles of territorial
integrity, political independence and the resolution of problems by way of
peaceful means and dialogue on the basis of equality, mutual respect and
non-interference in the internal matters of other States. It will continue
to pursue this policy in the future.
75. The development of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is
closely linked to the situation in the Balkans due to its geographical
position. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia expects a lot from the
resolution of the present situation, however difficult and in a state of
crisis it is, and from the necessary reconstruction of the Balkans after
the wars and the crisis and particularly from the Europeanization of the
Balkans. Good-neighbourliness has no alternative and could greatly help
this endeavour, which was the initial reason why the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia has committed itself to the development of good-
neighbourly relations among Balkan States and why it proposed resolution
48/84 B, adopted at the forty-eighth session of the General Assembly
without a vote.
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TURKEY
[Original: English]
[31 May 1995]
76. In order to establish friendly relations with countries of the region
and to contribute to peace and cooperation, Turkey has signed bilateral
agreements with other Balkan countries on issues of good-neighbourliness,
cooperation and security.
77. In addition, owing to the importance it attributes to confidence- and
security-building measures in the Balkans, Turkey has played a leading role
for the realization of bilateral confidence- and security-building
measures. Given the principle of indivisibility of security, these
measures have a positive impact on confidence and security not only in the
region, but also in the OSCE. The "1990 Sofia Document" on confidence- and
security-building measures between Turkey and Bulgaria was the first step
taken in this direction. The "1990 Sofia Document" was later expanded and
is still in effect as the "1992 Edirne Document". On the other hand, a
similar agreement, the "1995 Tirana Document", was concluded between
Albania and Turkey on 6 February 1995. Efforts are under way to adopt
similar mechanisms with other Balkan countries.
78. All of the above-mentioned documents have been prepared within the
framework of the OSCE and on the basis of adjusting the Vienna Document on
confidence- and security-building measures to regional needs and
considerations.
79. Adoption of bilateral measures between Turkey and Bulgaria for the
first time in 1990 has been a model for other OSCE countries. Following
the Sofia Document, similar documents were adopted by other Balkan
countries. On the other hand, during the deliberations for the Vienna
Document, upon various suggestions inspired by the process initiated with
measures established between Bulgaria and Turkey, the issue of bilateral
CBMs was referred to in the Vienna Document. Therefore, article 136 of the
Document encourages the OSCE countries to develop transparency and
confidence-building on a bilateral, multilateral or regional basis.
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
[Original: English]
[22 August 1995]
80. The British Government welcomes the initiative contained in General
Assembly resolution 48/84 B to seek the views of member States on the
development of good-neighbourly relations in the Balkan region and on
measures and preventive activities aimed at the creation of a stable zone
of peace and cooperation in the region by the year 2000.
81. The Balkan region has a long and tragic history of instability and
conflict. The international community must find effective ways of
promoting cooperation in the Balkans to ensure that the people of this
troubled region can look forward to a peaceful and more prosperous future.
82. The British Government believes that any effort to promote peace and
cooperation in the Balkans can only be effective when the conflict in the
region has been resolved.
83. The British Government notes that the International Conference on the
Former Yugoslavia has commissioned a report on regional stability in the
Balkans and hopes to draw on this report where necessary.
84. Before then there are confidence-building measures that might
contribute to regional stability. They include mutual recognition by the
republics of the former Yugoslavia. Mutual recognition would help provide
a stable base for resolution of the conflict and subsequent efforts to
promote regional cooperation. The British Government again urges all
republics of the former Yugoslavia to recognize each other.
YUGOSLAVIA
[Original: English]
[5 June 1995]
85. Ever since the end of the Second World War, Yugoslavia has been a
factor in the peace, stability and equitable cooperation in the Balkans.
86. At the initiative of Yugoslavia, a meeting of the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs of the Balkan countries was held at Belgrade in February 1988 which
laid down the foundations for the process of multilateral cooperation among
the countries of the region and opened up perspectives for better
understanding and cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and
humanitarian fields. At the meeting, the high-level representatives of the
Balkan countries paved the way for the development of cooperation and the
promotion of relations in the region. At more than 100 meetings held
between 1988 and 1991, the countries established an extensive multilateral
political dialogue at various levels on crucial issues of intra-Balkan
relations and regional cooperation.
87. The contribution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to various
forms of cooperation among the countries of the Danube basin has been very
great indeed. This has been evident in its continuous efforts to ensure
free navigation on the Danube, connect the Rhine-Main-Danube system with
the Yugoslav Dunav-Tisa-Dunav system; link the European seas via its inland
waterways and modernize and facilitate the use of Danubian ports which it
sees as full of potential for economic progress and integration.
88. An example of long-term bilateral cooperation in the Balkans is
Yugoslavia's cooperation with Romania in the field of the production and
exploitation of electrical energy, crowned with the construction of Iron
Gates I and II hydroelectric power plants on the Danube and very developed
cooperation between the electric energy systems of the two countries.
89. On the basis of an agreement between Yugoslavia and Albania, part of
the Yugoslav territory was used for the construction on Albanian territory
of the Fierza hydroelectric power plant which solved the problem of the
production and supply of electrical power in Albania. Yugoslavia also
initiated cooperation between the electric energy systems of the two
countries and subsidized the construction and subsequent operation of a
section of the Podgorica-Bozaj railway line, used primarily for transit of
Albanian exports to European markets.
90. However, even in the conditions of sanctions, blockade and war in its
neighbourhood, the FR of Yugoslavia continues to work with equal resolve,
both bilaterally and multilaterally, on the prevention of the escalation of
the crisis, the maintenance of stability and cooperation and on the
promotion of dialogue and confidence in the Balkans. The partial
suspension of the sanctions gave an impetus to the activities of the Balkan
countries to that end, however symbolic they may be.
91. In this period the FR of Yugoslavia renewed its political dialogue
with almost all of its traditional neighbours. On several occasions the FR
of Yugoslavia expressed its readiness for dialogue and the renewal of
cooperation to Albania on the basis of equality, good-neighbourliness and
non-interference. Ties and cooperation in the fields of culture, education,
transport and sport have intensified. Direct contacts with economic
associations and other factors of economic development have been
established; inter-State legal instruments have been prepared in
preparation for the restoration of cooperation after the lifting of
sanctions.
92. The outbreak and escalation of the Yugoslav crisis put a sudden and
violent end to the positive trends in regional political and economic
developments. Finding a just and lasting solution to the consequences of
the Yugoslav crisis is therefore the first precondition for the restoration
and acceleration of the positive processes of cooperation, interlinkage and
integration.
93. The civil war in some former Yugoslav republics has been used for
piling up arms in this sensitive part of the Balkans. Arms have been, and
continue to be, piled up in violation of United Nations Security Council
arms embargo resolution 713 (1991). These violations threaten the peace
process, the United Nations role in that process and the security of its
peace-keeping forces. Unfortunately, there has been no adequate reaction
to these violations from the Security Council.
94. The FR of Yugoslavia fully supports the peace role of the United
Nations in the settlement of the Yugoslav crisis. In the quest for a
solution to the crisis in former Bosnia and Herzegovina, the FR of
Yugoslavia supported all peace plans: the Coutilhero plan of 19 March
1992, the Vance-Owen plan of 2 January 1993, the Owen-Stoltenberg plan of
30 July 1993, the plan of action of the European Union of 22 November 1993
and the latest peace plan of the Contact Group of 5 July 1994. The FR of
Yugoslavia also cooperated in drafting, and accepted, the Vance plan in
November 1991, aimed at settling the problems between Knin-Zagreb, and it
continues to consider the plan a valid basis for negotiations on reaching a
final political solution.
95. In the process of normalization of the relations which has begun
between the FR of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Croatia, the two countries
opened, on the basis of reciprocity, their representative offices in
Belgrade and Zagreb. The dialogue on political and humanitarian issues has
been launched between the representatives of the two Governments.
96. Despite its great economic and political difficulties the FR of
Yugoslavia continues to invest its maximum efforts in the process of the
peaceful settlement of the crisis. Therefore, it rightly expects all other
factors to associate themselves with the following important assumptions:
(a) Equal treatment of all parties to the conflict;
(b) Compliance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions,
particularly the resolutions on the arms embargo, the status of the United
Nations Protection Areas and the mandate of the peace-keeping forces;
(c) No military option and no use of force or threat of force by all
factors in the crisis;
(d) Lifting of all sanctions imposed on the FR of Yugoslavia;
(e) Acceptance of the Contact Group plan as a basis for direct
negotiations among the parties to the conflict on the solution to the
crisis in former Bosnia and Herzegovina under the auspices of the United
Nations and the Contact Group;
(f) Continuation of direct step-by-step negotiations between Knin and
Zagreb on the basis of the Vance plan, without prejudice to the outcome of
the final political solution;
(g) Withdrawal of Croatian military forces from all territories taken by
force, in compliance with the cease-fire agreement of 29 March 1994, and
respect for the role of the United Nations peace-keeping forces;
(h) Full reintegration of the FR of Yugoslavia into European and
international forums, primarily OSCE and the United Nations General
Assembly. The FR of Yugoslavia has every right to be reintegrated into
these forums, not only because it is a founding and an active member in the
50-year-long activity of the Organization, but also because it is one of
the most active actors in the quest for a peaceful political solution to
the Yugoslav crisis and an important factor in the future peaceful
development in the Balkans and South-East Europe.
97. The solution to the crisis on this basis will create conditions for
full normalization of relations between the FR of Yugoslavia and former
Yugoslav republics. The FR of Yugoslavia has never been nor is it today,
opposed to the recognition of the seceded Yugoslav republics. However, it
is necessary first to solve the basic political problems brought about by
their unilateral and forcible secession in order not to repeat the mistakes
made by the premature recognition of the seceded republics by the European
Union and other countries. This implies that the right of the FR of
Yugoslavia to continue the international personality of the SFRY is not
questioned.
98. The sanctions imposed on the FR of Yugoslavia are the basic limiting
factor for the peace process, economic development and cooperation in the
Balkans. Their further implementation serves to postpone the advent of
peace and stabilization. The destructive economic, social, cultural and
other consequences of the sanctions severely affect all neighbouring
countries including the countries of South and South-East Europe.
99. The sanctions have interrupted the positive trends in the development
of multilateral and bilateral cooperation in the Balkans and the processes
of integration of the Balkans with other parts of Europe. In particular,
they halted the democratic transition and development of the market
economies in a number of countries.
100. The overall damage caused to the FR of Yugoslavia and the countries
of South and South-East Europe since the establishment of the sanctions
against the FR of Yugoslavia in May 1992 has amounted to about US$ 200
billion and two thirds of that damage has been suffered by the FR of
Yugoslavia alone.
101. The damage caused by the sanctions deepens and widens the economic
gap between the Balkans and Europe, heightens social tensions in each
country and threatens to destabilize the Balkans and South-East Europe in
the long run. Aware of this fact, Balkan and other countries have now
launched several initiatives to have them lifted altogether. An increasing
number of the States Members of the United Nations have publicly stated
that the sanctions are contrary to the peace efforts, that they are
inhuman, unacceptable and untenable as a method.
102. At the 53rd regular meeting of the Danube Commission at Budapest in
April 1995, all the participating States agreed on a common initiative to
liberalize the sanctions and simplify transit on the Danube. Furthermore,
the meeting initiated, and the United Nations Security Council subsequently
adopted, the (technical) resolution on the use of locks and navigation by
Yugoslav vessels on the Danube.
103. At the Ministerial Meeting of the Black Sea Cooperation Countries in
Athens on 14 April 1995, a joint appeal concerning the great damage caused
by the sanctions was addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General and
the United Nations Security Council, signed by Bulgaria, Greece, Romania,
the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
104. The FR of Yugoslavia expects that this and other similar initiatives
will be understood and supported, first of all by the United Nations
Security Council. By his letter of 14 November 1994, Yugoslav Prime
Minister Radoje Kontic informed the Security Council that Yugoslavia had
fulfilled all the conditions set in Security Council resolutions 752 (1992)
and 757 (1992). It is therefore necessary that the Security Council commits
itself more resolutely to lifting the sanctions and thus provide for the
renewal of all positive processes in the region and facilitate the
accomplishment of the goal proclaimed at the forty-eighth session of the
General Assembly concerning the transformation of the Balkans into a zone
of peace, stability and cooperation by the year 2000.
105. At the same time, the FR of Yugoslavia expects the United Nations to
assume its share of responsibility under the programmes of economic
restoration of the Balkans and the establishment of the conditions for
strengthening the integration processes among the Balkan countries.
106. This is also the point of departure for all proposals and ideas aimed
at transforming the Balkans into a zone of peace, stability and
cooperation: the Balkans is an important integral part of Europe and its
stability and rapid development would contribute to stability, development
and positive processes in Europe as a whole. There can be no peace,
stability and cooperation in Europe without stability, peace and
cooperation in the Balkans.
107. Finding a peaceful and just solution to the Yugoslav crisis is the
crucial prerequisite for the re-establishment of the balance in the Balkans
and, by the same token, for its transformation into a zone of peace,
stability and cooperation, and for the full integration of the Balkans in
Europe as a natural factor of "the new European architecture". The crisis
can be solved and stability and balance restored only through the
principled approach of the major European and world factors and their
unbiased attitude and absolute refraining from any use of force. An
impartial role of the United Nations is of utmost importance for the
progress of the peace process and the maintenance of the prestige of the
Organization.
108. As the State continuing the personality of the SFR of Yugoslavia, the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has maintained and confirmed as one of its
priorities the orientation towards the development of good-neighbourly
relations and all-round cooperation with all countries in the Balkans and
beyond. Mutual respect, establishment of confidence and development of
cooperation on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual interests is the
right way to strengthen peace and stability in the Balkans, along the lines
of its full integration into European processes.
109. The FR of Yugoslavia has always been, and remains, open for all the
activities and the initiatives of its Balkan partners aimed at development
of cooperation and mutual ties, as well as at strengthening confidence and
stability. The FR of Yugoslavia will continue to render its full
contribution to such joint efforts, aware of its role, possibilities and
geo-strategic position.
110. The FR of Yugoslavia declared in its Constitution of 27 April 1992
its commitment to the goals and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations, the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris of the CSCE,
underlining in particular that it has no territorial claims against its
neighbours. Yugoslavia's orientation and practice are based on the
assessment that respect for the independence and territorial integrity of
every country in the region is in the interest of each individual country
and in the interest of the region as a whole. On this basis, Yugoslavia
will work on the establishment of relations of confidence and understanding
with its neighbours, guided by the principles of good-neighbourliness.
111. As a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-confessional country, the
FR of Yugoslavia guarantees by its Constitution to all its citizens
equality, rights and freedoms, irrespective of their nationality or
religion. The provisions of the Yugoslav Constitution providing for the
possibility for the former Yugoslav republics wishing to do so, to join the
FR of Yugoslavia bear out the readiness of the FR of Yugoslavia to develop
its future relations with its neighbours on that basis.
112. The FR of Yugoslavia is defined in its Constitution as a State of all
its citizens. Accordingly, it attaches exceptional attention to the
exercise of the rights of the more than 20 national minorities and ethnic
groups living as equal citizens in its territory. The Yugoslav
Constitution and laws guarantee special minority rights in the field of
education, the use of the mother tongue, information, culture, etc. in
accordance with European and world standards. Under the Copenhagen Document
of the OSCE this implies also the obligation of the members of national
minorities, as Yugoslav citizens, to be loyal to the FR of Yugoslavia.
113. According to the principles of international law and the documents of
the United Nations and the OSCE, the right to self-determination belongs to
constituent peoples and not to national minorities or territories.
114. After the imposition of the sanctions of the United Nations Security
Council on the FR of Yugoslavia, the basic rights of all its citizens
irrespective of their national origin, have been threatened. In such
conditions, the FR of Yugoslavia is making every effort to reduce as much
as possible the consequences of the sanctions for the exercise of minority
rights.
115. The FR of Yugoslavia rightly expects that the exercise of the rights
of the members of the Serbian and Montenegrin national minorities living in
other Balkan States will be adequately protected and respected.
116. A more rapid social and economic development based on the natural,
market and geo-political specificities of the region, the overcoming of the
economic gap dividing the North and West of Europe from the rest of the
continent and the neutralization of the economic losses caused by the
sanctions are important prerequisites for long-term stability, security and
an integral development of the Balkans and the whole of South-East Europe.
All these call for the immediate preparation of comprehensive financial
plans whose implementation should include, first and foremost, the World
Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as the European financial
institutions and private capital. In this context priority should be given
to the implementation of the regional projects in the field of
infrastructure, transport, energy, the environment and tourism, as well as
to labour-intensive projects in the economy, including services.
117. As all Balkan countries are determined to join European integration
in the future, an important step in that direction could be the creation of
conditions for the establishment of regional free-trade zones or a customs
union. With the establishment of a community of countries with a free flow
of goods, capital and labour, the Balkan economies would greatly facilitate
their accelerated access to the developed part of the European market. The
FR of Yugoslavia fully supports this idea and considers that it would be
useful to begin concrete talks on the multilateral level in order to
realize this idea, as it is in the interest of all Balkan factors and of
Europe.
118. In order to make full use of the advantages of this region for the
transit of goods, services and passengers, it is necessary to devote
greater attention to this matter and to provide capital for the
modernization of railroads, roads, ports, airports, PTT networks and energy
transmission systems. Because of its geographic position bridging parts of
Europe, particularly in the north to south and north-west to south-east
directions, it is natural that the FR of Yugoslavia is interested in the
modernization of communications. To that end, it has prepared, in
cooperation with the neighbouring countries, a number of specific projects
which are ready for implementation.
119. The energy resources of the Balkans are limited, which makes it
incumbent on the countries of the region to cooperate in the rational use
and exploitation of all types of energy and energy resources. It is
therefore most natural that the priority areas of cooperation are the use
of electrical energy and the exploitation of gas and oil. The
interconnection and promotion of the joint operation of the electrical
energy systems of the Balkan countries, the connection of gas pipeline
systems on a long-term basis, as well as the transit of natural gas from
third countries, are the strategic priorities of the region and can serve
as the basis for the development of each individual country.
120. Cooperation in the field of the environment is of existential
importance for all the countries in the region. The FR of Yugoslavia
considers that, through various forms of cooperation, the Balkan countries
should establish the Balkan Environment Programme (BEP), as a regional
variant of UNEP.
121. Particularly dangerous is the trend towards the relocation of
outdated technologies and depositing of hazardous poisonous wastes from the
developed part of Europe in the Balkans, particularly in some of its least
developed countries. In view of the ongoing trends and great
interdependence, it is an illusion to believe that any part of Europe can
protect itself effectively or accomplish any economic interest by the
transfer of outdated technologies, poisonous products or wastes to other
parts of the continent and even to other parts of the world. Environmental
protection of the Balkans merits greater attention not only because it is
in the interest of the people of the Balkans but because it is in the
interest of all the people of Europe.
122. "The Balkans to the Balkan peoples" implies the mobilization of all
human and natural resources to serve the purpose of prosperity and a richer
life of all Balkan peoples. This implies the strengthening of mutual
confidence, the settlement of all controversial issues by negotiations and
the intensification of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the
Balkans. The Balkans, as an integral part of Europe, is fully open to
cooperation and the establishment of ties, as well as to respect for the
interdependence of economic, political, cultural and security interests,
since the political, economic and security architecture of Europe and the
Balkans constitute a natural whole.
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