STRESA, June 9 (Hina) - The presidents of 14 Central and Eastern European countries fully supported Macedonia's territorial integrity, its stability and security at the end of an informal two-day summit in Italy dedicated to the
values of freedom and democracy in the world.
STRESA, June 9 (Hina) - The presidents of 14 Central and Eastern
European countries fully supported Macedonia's territorial
integrity, its stability and security at the end of an informal two-
day summit in Italy dedicated to the values of freedom and democracy
in the world.#L#
We express full solidarity to President Boris Trajkovski and hope
the rights of minorities will be fully recognised, said Italian
President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the host of the summit in Stresa.
The summit also addressed Europe's cultural identity and the
European constitution, as well as security in the Balkans.
The participants condemned all forms of extremism in the Balkans,
as well as ethnic intolerance which is contrary to Europe's
commitment to equality, Ciampi told a press conference.
The Balkans region is a test of Europe's ability to guarantee
security throughout its territory, he said.
On behalf of his colleagues, the Italian head of state applauded the
signing on Friday of a joint statement by Croatian President Stipe
Mesic and Yugoslav counterpart Vojislav Kostunica, saying it was a
point which paved a new way for relations.
Ciampi said the 14 presidents would next convene in Slovenia in
2002, voicing hope Macedonia's Trajkovski would also attend.
Before leaving Italy, Croatia's Mesic described the summit as very
successful. Asked about the joint statement, which among else
supports Bosnia-Herzegovina's (BH) integrity, he said: "Croats and
Serbs in BH have to turn towards BH as there is no variant which
would bring Bosnia into question or turn the (two) entities into
states."
"BH remains a state. We can leave its internal structure for later,"
he said. Asked if he and Kostunica addressed cooperation with the
Hague tribunal while discussing the individualisation of guilt as
regards war crimes, Mesic answered in the negative.
"Individualisation implies cooperation with the Hague tribunal,"
he said.
Although the Stresa summit did not address Yugoslavia's future,
Kostunica told reporters Podgorica and Belgrade had to find "some
unconventional constitutional provision" which would regulate
relations between Montenegro and Serbia, the two republics making
up the Yugoslav federation. This will be in the interest of the
whole region, he said.
"Any change of the borders may lead to new skirmishes and jeopardise
peace in the region," said the Yugoslav head of state.
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