EU ministers affirm enlargement progress within timetable

EU foreign ministers stated at a meeting of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg, 11 June, that though they respect the results of the Irish referendum on EU enlargement, while regretting its outcome, the text of the treaty signed at Nice will not be open to revision. The Irish voted last week against the Nice treaty which deals with EU enlargement.

The EU ministers agreed the ratification of the treaty will continue in line with the agreed timetable. This means that the treaty will be ratified by the member states by the end of next year.

Ministers emphasised the commitment of the Irish government to the EU and the Nice treaty is firm. Finland as well as other EU members are committed to enlargement and to the continuing progress of the accession negotiations.

The General Affairs Council called on Albanians fighting in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to lay down their arms and condemned the acts of terrorism carried out by extremists. The Council expressed support for the efforts of the high representative Javier Solana aimed at bringing about dialogue between representatives of ethnic groups.

On the situation in southern Serbia, the ministers welcomed the unilateral demobilisation by armed Albanian groups and the presence of Yugoslavian peace keepers in the region. The ministers pointed out that it is important for the EU and NATO to find a peaceful solution and for the OSCE to develop multinational police forces.

The ministers also discussed other issues to do with the Gothenburg summit. These included the EU’s sustainable development strategies, the common security and defence policy, conflict prevention and the future of the Union.

Conclusions of the EU Council (General Affairs)(Link to another website.)