Council Conclusions on Montenegro (2737 EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting - Luxembourg, 12 June 2006)

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"The Council has taken note that, on 3 June 2006, based on Article 60 of the Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro and following the Montenegrin referendum of 21 May 2006, the Parliament of Montenegro has passed a Declaration on the Independence of the Republic of Montenegro which states that the Republic of Montenegro is an independent State with full legal personality under international law.

Furthermore, the Council has taken note that, on 5 June 2006 following the above-mentioned Declaration, the Parliament of Serbia has passed a Decision that defines the Republic of Serbia as the continuing State of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

The Council recognizes that these Parliamentary Acts were taken in conformity with the arrangements and procedures foreseen in the Belgrade Agreement of 14 March 2002 as well as in compliance with Article 60 of the Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The European Union and its Member States have therefore decided that they will develop further their relations with the Republic of Montenegro as a sovereign, independent State, taking full account of the referendum result and the afore-mentioned Parliamentary Acts. Member States will take the subsequent measures implementing this decision nationally in accordance with international law and practice.

The Council calls on Serbia and Montenegro to pursue a direct and constructive dialogue on their future relations. The European Union stands ready to support this dialogue.

The Council reaffirms the European perspective of the Western Balkans on the basis of the Stabilisation and Association Process. "

Council Conclusions on the Comprehensive Review of the EU's activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2736th GENERAL AFFAIRS Council meeting - Luxembourg, 12 June 2006)

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"As a potential candidate country, Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in the Stabilisation and Association process (SAP), which is the framework for the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. BiH is currently negotiating a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. In addition to the activities of the European Commission and bilateral initiatives from EU Member States, the EU has deployed a number of instruments in BiH in the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP): an EU Special Representative (EUSR), an EU Police Mission (EUPM) and an EU Military Operation (Operation ALTHEA). The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) also continues to be active in BiH. The various EU actors act in coordination with each other, and the results of the comprehensive EU approach in terms of security, political stability and overall socio-economic development have been notable in recent years. The coherent EU policy and a clear European perspective have contributed substantially to the country's transition from stabilisation towards closer ties with the EU.

The Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of the EU activities in BiH, including by conducting concurrent review processes of Operation ALTHEA and EUPM, which has helped ensure a more complete operational overview and a coherent approach to ESDP actions such as in the support to the fight against organised crime.  The Council also welcomed the joint efforts of the SG/HR and the Commission in conducting the comprehensive review and took note of the Commission's contribution.

Within the framework of the comprehensive review, the Council reviewed Operation ALTHEA and welcomed the positive contribution of the operation to ensuring a safe and secure environment in BiH. The Council approved the SG/HR's recommendations for Operation ALTHEA and confirmed that EUFOR should maintain current force levels and its current tasks for the coming six months.  The Council furthermore noted that cooperation with NATO continues to work well in the context of the Berlin Plus Arrangements. The Council considered that a EUFOR presence would be required beyond the end of 2006.

The Council also reviewed EUPM and welcomed the positive contribution of the Mission to the establishment of developing sustainable policing arrangements under BiH ownership. The Council recognised the important role of EUPM, in close coordination with the EC, in the area of police reform. The Council approved the SG/HR's recommendations for EUPM.

The Council welcomed the extensive EU support to BiH authorities in the fight against organised crime. In the broader framework of security sector reform in the Western Balkans, the EU has substantially contributed to the build up of local capacity. The Council reconfirmed EUPM's leading role in the coordination of policing aspects of ESDP efforts in the fight against organised crime in BiH. The Council also welcomed the increased cooperation between the EUSR, EUFOR and EUPM in this regard."

Council Conclusions on Western Balkans (2737th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting - Luxembourg, 12 June 2006)

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

ICTY

The Council took note of the recent reports by the ICTY President and Chief Prosecutor to the UN Security Council. The Council reiterated that full co-operation with the ICTY is essential to achieve lasting reconciliation in the region and to lift a fundamental obstacle on the way towards the European Union. In this context, the Council noted with concern that the Chief Prosecutor had not been able to report any progress on the arrest and transfer of the six remaining fugitives. The Council called on all countries concerned to take decisive action to ensure that all remaining fugitive indictees, notably Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, are finally brought to justice. In this context, the Council welcomed that the Bosnian authorities have recently transferred Dragan Zelenovic to The Hague.

Albania

The Council welcomed the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and of the Interim Agreement with Albania as an important step on the country’s path towards the EU. It looked forward to intensifying co-operation with Albania through the comprehensive framework offered by these agreements and the other mechanisms of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The Council looked forward to a sustained and effective track record in implementing these agreements.

The Council called on Albania to push ahead with its reform agenda and encouraged all political forces to unify their efforts to accelerate that process. It called on Albania to intensify its efforts on a number of priorities, set out in the European Partnership, including clear improvements in media freedom, accelerating property restitution and compensation, further strengthening of public-sector governance, improving respect for and protection of minorities and ensuring that the forthcoming municipal elections fully comply with international standards. Noting recent encouraging steps taken in the fight against corruption and organised crime, a key element in the European Partnership and the Stabilisation and Association Process, it stressed the importance of further determined action and sustained progress in the rule of law, including the full respect of its independent institutions.

Regional co-operation

The Council warmly welcomed the results of the Stability Pact's Regional Table meeting held in Belgrade on 30 May 2006. Underlining the need for the region of South Eastern Europe to gradually take over ownership and responsibility, including financial, for regional cooperation, it welcomes the phased evolution of the Stability Pact into a more regionally owned, streamlined and effective regional co-operation framework in which the South East European Cooperation Process, if successfully strengthened, should play a central part. The Council fully supports the creation of a Regional Co-operation Council to be operational by 2008.

Stressing the importance of preserving relevant Stability Pact achievements and initiatives, the Council welcomes the agreement on those priority areas in which the successful work should continue. It expressed the European Union's readiness to remain involved, together with other donors and partners, in the implementation of the Belgrade conclusions and in furthering regional co-operation, which is one of the prerequisites for the realization of the region's European perspective."