BRUSSELS, March 22 (Hina) - The European Union members' foreign ministers have strongly condemned the ethnically-motivated violence in Kosovo, which last week claimed the lives of some 30 people and left another 600 persons
wounded.
BRUSSELS, March 22 (Hina) - The European Union members' foreign
ministers have strongly condemned the ethnically-motivated violence in
Kosovo, which last week claimed the lives of some 30 people and left
another 600 persons wounded.#L#
The Council of the EU condemns every act of ethnically motivated
violence, the loss of life and infliction of material damage as well
as the destruction of religious and cultural heritage, which is the
common property of all Europeans, read draft conclusions on the
Western Balkans which the Council is to adopt in the course of the
day.
The Council condemns attacks on international peace keepers in Kosovo
(KFOR) and members of the UN mission in the province (UNMIK), and
calls on leaders, particularly the leadership of Kosovo Albanians, to
assume responsibility for the situation and use words and deeds to
stop violence and threats.
It also calls on all Kosovo Albanians and Serbs to refrain from acts
of provocation, adding that extremist forces cannot participate in
efforts to define Kosovo's future.
Kosovo leaders must be aware that their credibility and the future of
Kosovo are at stake, the EU foreign ministers said adding that the
main priority at present was to prevent new waves of violence and
human losses, establish peace in Kosovo and maintain regional
security.
The Council voiced willingness to cooperate with the new Serbian
government, and urges it to invest efforts in implementing political
and economic reforms on Belgrade's road towards European institutions.
This implies Belgrade's cooperation with the Hague-based UN war crimes
tribunal, the strengthening of the rule of law, the fight against
organised crime, as well as the continuation of reconciliation and
cooperation with neighbouring countries, the Council said.
(Hina) ms sb