Ask Solana!

The Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE) is pleased to share with the citizens of the Western Balkans the answers to their questions to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Javier Solana.

ANSWERS BY HR JAVIER SOLANA TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY CITIZENS OF THE WESTERN BALKANS

1. EU-enlargement

"Do you see the Western Balkan countries joining the EU as a group of countries or is the process of EU integration an individual affair? If the latter, in which order will they join? Finally, what status will the Western Balkan countries have after the enlargement of the European Union in May?"

Already at the Summit in Copenhagen in December 2002 the European Union confirmed the perspective of the countries in the Western Balkans as potential candidates for membership in the EU and underlined its determination to support their efforts in this regard. The EU has thereafter consistently reconfirmed that the future of the Western Balkans is within the European Union. Against this background, the EU last summer adopted the “ Thessaloniki agenda for the Western Balkans: Moving towards European integration”.

The pace of further movement of the Western Balkan countries towards the EU lies in their own hands and will depend on each country's will and performance in implementing reforms. As in case of the enlargement to the Central and Eastern European countries that will take place in May this year, it is thus the principle of “own merits” that applies: Croatia applied for EU-membership already last year and was followed by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in March this year. fYROM on 1 April this year became the first country in the region to have a special contractual relationship, a so called Stabilisation and Association agreement (SAA), in force with the EU. Albania is negotiating a SAA, Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the challenge of implementing the priority reforms identified in the Commission's feasibility study for an SAA, and Serbia and Montenegro 's feasibility study still needs to be finalised.

The central event of the Irish Presidency will be the formal accession to the Union of ten new member states on 1 May 2004 . This historic development should provide encouragement to the countries of the Western Balkans, and an incentive to adopt and implement the policies necessary for progress towards their own eventual membership. The citizens of the region should also understand the significance of the enlargement process for their future. The status of the countries in the Western Balkans as potential candidates will not change with enlargement.

2. EU involvement

"How long will the EU have the patience and desire to wait, support and spend energy and money on the Balkan countries? To try and teach them European standards, to help them respect human rights, develop the rule of law, fight against corruption, create effective public administration......"

The preparation of the countries in the Western Balkans for future integration into European structures and their perspective of ultimate membership is a high priority for the EU. At the same time, the countries in the region have committed themselves to redouble their reform efforts to speed up the integration with and into the European Union. Considerable progress has been achieved in the last two years, but the results are uneven and sometimes fragile. The EU is well aware that the integration of the countries in the Western Balkans is a long term commitment. The journey to Europe will inevitably be long. Hard work and hard choices await those countries that are serious about their European aspirations. But their neighbours in Central and Eastern Europe have clearly shown both that it is possible to reach the final destination and that the process of rapprochement can be as important as the event of joining itself. While only the countries of the region can determine the pace of this journey, the EU will do its utmost to help. The EU is therefore gearing all its instruments towards helping the countries of the Western Balkans to move towards the EU. The EU is in for the long haul!

3. War Crimes on Serbs

"Would any reconciliation assume the even handed approach by EU on the War crimes issue? We are at the moment witness to Serbs being generally tried for this and that and the fact that 500,000 Serbs from Krajina in Croatia have been Ethnically Cleansed and 8000 of them murdered in the process is going unpunished. Who is going to bring justice and reconciliation to 250,000 Serb civilians from Kosovo who have been terrorised, tortured and murdered on every day basis? Who is going to reconcile Serb civilians whose kids are being gunned down in Kosovo?"

Reconciliation between the countries and peoples in the Western Balkans is, as you mention, closely connected to the issue of justice. Without justice there can be no lasting peace. The perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and grave breaches of the Geneva conventions of 1949 have to be brought to justice, whatever their ethnic origin. The mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), set up in 1993, concerns the entire territory of the former Yugoslavia and thus covers all the areas you are mentioning in your question. The tribunal's prosecutor is investigating all crimes regardless of ethnicity or nationality. The ICTY consists of judges from all over the world and enjoys unanimous international support.

The European Union fully supports the work of the ICTY and has consistently stressed that all countries and parties in the region must respect their international obligation of fully co-operating with the tribunal. Failure to do so would seriously jeopardise further movement of the countries concerned towards the EU. The European leaders have in this context especially called for increased efforts to bring the Bosnian-Serb leader Karadzic and General Mladic and the Croatian general Gotovina to the ICTY. Full co-operation with the ICTY will be a crucial element in the context of the European Commission's avis on Croatia 's bid for EU membership. Regarding Kosovo, all those responsible for violence or criminal acts must be brought to justice.

4. Freedom of movement

"Most of the people from the SEE countries are aware that our "future" lies inside the EU family. This has been confirmed also during the Thessaloniki Summit .

There have been many efforts toward the rehabilitation of legal and system infrastructure of the SEE countries and bringing it in compliance with the EU standards. Doesn't the EU think that the same efforts should be made also for the citizens of the SEE countries and to bring them near with the lifestyle, tolerance, and perspective of the EU citizens, by having a chance to travel freely and without customs barriers?  One of the main issues that we are facing is the Freedom of movement. I would kindly like ask Mr. Solana about this important issue - Isn't there any mechanism that the EU can use in these present times and make us feel that we are indeed part of the Europe but to become part of the EU who have to accomplish our homework's. A good mechanism that the EU can apply is also the freedom of movement inside the EU for the citizens of the SEE countries ( Kosovo , Albania , Macedonia , Serbia and Montenegro , Albania , Bosnia and Herzegovina ). Freedom of movement considerably can change positively the opinion of multiethnic tolerance of the SEE citizens especially for those who never had a chance to leave their countries and were born and raised through hatred. To meet somebody who has been born in Madrid , works in Rome hired from a company in London married to a German woman, for me presents more the term being a European than a law for European integration."

"My name is Ivan I am 22 year's old...my biggest passion is travelling! With Bosnian passport I am not so able to travel since I need visa wherever I go! So my question is when will Bosnian passport be normal and when I and my people will be able to travel normal? Thank you for your time!"

Several of your questions concern the issue of freedom of movement between the countries in the Western Balkans and the European Union. Freedom of movement of persons within the EU is one of the four fundamental freedoms that underpin the Union . As you correctly mention, freedom of movement could also play an important role in order to make the people of the Western Balkans feel that they are a part of Europe . The EU has taken the issue seriously. Therefore, at the summit in Thessaloniki last summer, the European leaders acknowledged the importance the people of the Western Balkans attach to the perspective of liberalisation of the EU's visa regime towards them. At the same time, however, they underlined that progress in this matter would be dependent on the countries implementing necessary reforms. The liberalisation of the visa regime should therefore be seen as a long-term issue and should be put in the broader context of the need of the Western Balkan countries to combat organised crime, corruption and illegal migration and to achieve adequate standards concerning areas such as the reform of the judiciary, capacity in border control, secure travel documents.

5. Roma in the Balkans

"Everybody is talking about the rights of Serbs or independence of Kosovo. I am not against it at all. But what about Gypsies in Kosovo (Balkans)? Nobody is interested in them. Albanian and Serbian communities have their own mother countries that are willing to fight for their political interests. Europe should pay attention to this community that is suffering in all Balkan countries. What are you going to do for Gypsy (Roma, Egyptians, Ashkali) communities especially in Kosovo in the future? They want to feel that they belong to Europe as well. They are not asking for a country but just to live as other citizens in Europe . Can you convince these communities that your office didn't forget them and at least is thinking sometimes about them?"

Ensuring the sustainability of all the minority communities in the Western Balkans is one of the international community's main challenges in the region. The EU has actively supported the multi-ethnic character of the Western Balkan countries and regions, including Kosovo, and stressed that the rights of all communities must be ensured. This means that gypsies as well as other minorities must be able to live normal lives and have equal rights. The full respect of the rights of minorities is an important condition for the integration of the countries in the region with European structures and is followed closely by the EU. The EU also supports a number of activities and initiatives in the Western Balkan countries promoting ethnic and religious tolerance and multiculturalism.

6. BiH and the EU

"Is it possible for the Republic of Srpska to join the EU as a free country, which means without being a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina ? Once Bosnia and Herzegovina is a full member of EU it wouldn't matter if the two parts (Croatian/Bosniac federation and the Republic of Srpska) are together or not. In my opinion the state, Bosnia, as it exists now is a very bad solution. The nationalism didn't disappear at all and there is a big danger that the country might implode one day."

The EU continues to fully support the Dayton/Paris agreements, which make it clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina constitutes one country. It is only within the framework of the Bosnian state that the federal entities will integrate with and into the EU. In fact, one of the underlying ideas with the EU's policy towards the Western Balkans is that the progressive integration into the EU will promote mutual understanding, not only between the Western Balkans countries and the EU, but also between and within the countries in the region. The construction of the European Union has played an important role in reconciling countries that during the Second World War were bitter enemies. It is our hope that the Western Balkan countries' road towards the EU in a similar manner will help reconciliation in the region.

7. Process of EU enlargement

"Esteemed Mr. Solana. First of all I give you a cordial hello from Peru. I believe that the countries of the former Yugoslavia could more easily resolve their mutual disputes if the whole region was incorporated into the EU. I know that the dream of the majority is to live like the rest of Europe but the corrupt politicians of the Balkan countries, don't want to do it… "

"Even though the former Yugoslavia had a communist dictatorship, it obviously was a multicultural country with equality of all ethnicities and citizens. However, ultranationalism in all its republics won on the first democratic election and it was the reason to split up. Now, all minority ethnic groups in all new countries are suffering because of lack of their human, ethnic and other rights. Don't you think the best way to help all these people is to bring all new countries from former Yugoslavia into European Union together, to protect minorities in all the new countries and to take power away form ultranationalists and their governments? Isn't it better to bring all of them to EU as soon as possible, and in one package, for their governments will have to follow the European law and democratic policy and procedures?"

Membership in the European Union entails considerable obligations for a country and high standards must be achieved before a country can adhere to the EU. It is important to be realistic as to the time and effort needed to become a member in the EU. For the countries that will accede to the EU on 1 May this year, the accession process has served as a catalyst for change, accelerating the implementation of complex and difficult political, institutional and economic reforms. The conclusion of the process is significant achievement that was based on sustained commitment over may years to the goal of membership.

As potential candidates, the countries of the Western Balkans have the prospect of future membership to the EU. This is a promise which the EU will honour when each country fulfils the necessary criteria. The same basic entry requirements apply to the countries of the Western Balkans as to other countries that aspire to join the Union . The countries must also meet the criteria specific to the Stabilisation and Association process. As in the case of the present enlargement process, each country will proceed towards membership on its own merits and at its own speed.

8. Free trade and the EU

"I think trade can help the process of reconciliation in SEE. Free trade agreements signed last year by Western Balkan countries seem not to have a significant impact on business development of these countries. What do you think is wrong and what EU plans to do to support this process?"

Trade is an important component of the EU's policy towards the region. In September 2000 the EU granted exceptional trade measures to the countries in the Western Balkans. These measures provide the Western Balkan countries with duty- and quota-free access to the Union 's market for practically all goods. The EU therewith completely liberalised imports of industrial products and almost completely for imports of agricultural and fishery products. The EU is now negotiating Stabilisation and Association agreements which will progressively provide the basis for the EU's trade relations with the countries in the region.

Whereas the Western Balkan's exports to the EU have increased substantially since the late 1990s, it is true that there is a significant untapped potential concerning prospects of exports to the EU. To exploit this underlying potential, the countries must attract sufficient production capacity and productivity and ensure compliance with EC standards. Governments need to pursue structural reforms, modernise administration, including in particular the judiciary, and ensure the rule of law to realise this objective. The EU already assists in this process, but the responsibility for implementing the necessary reforms lies with the governments in the region.

9. Kosovo status

"You are familiar with the situation in Kosova because you were one of the key figures who helped to stop the tragedy that was happening in 1997-1999, and I thank you sincerely from my heart for that. But I would like to ask about the final status for Kosova. Many European leaders try to avoid this issue and some even say that it's impossible to change borders in the world. But this last argument has fallen because we have the case of East Timor , the newest and poorest country in the world. Kosova has definitely better economic conditions than East Timor and has a history of self-governing (the 70-ties till 1989). Could you please try to be sincere and tell me and the Kosovars what do you really think about the final status of Kosova, and the will of people to have a sovereign state? I know It's hard but I'm asking you as Javier Solana not you as Secretary-General CFSP."

The EU fully supports the "standards before status" policy of UNMIK, based on the UN Security Council resolution 1244. The standards set out by this policy describe a multi-ethnic, stable and democratic Kosovo which is approaching European standards and which is in stable and peaceful relationships with its regional neighbours. Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on practical issues is a key benchmark in “standards before status”. A consideration of Kosovo's future status cannot begin before the targets set up by “standards before status” have been achieved. Progress against these targets will be the basis of a review in mid-2005.

The recent ethnically-motivated violence in Kosovo, as well as attack against the troops of KFOR and the personnel and sites of UNMIK, must be strongly condemned. The events constitute a major setback to painstakingly achieved progress over the last few years. There will be no progress in Kosovo as long as violence and impunity continue. The Provisional Institutions for Self-Government must now demonstrate their commitment to a multi-ethnic Kosovo. As an immediate step, they should take responsibility for urgent reconstruction of damaged property and ensure the earliest possible return of internally displaced persons property. Furthermore, those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice. Violence can never be a shortcut to status discussions! Kosovo first needs to implement the targets in “standards before status” before a consideration of Kosovo's status can take place.

10. Angry reactions in the region

Question asked by the CDRSEE

"No less than 56% of participants who submitted questions have shown what we describe as "an angry tone" and expressed a considerable amount of bitterness both towards you individually and towards the EU. By the way, the average user of an Internet Forum like ours is – as a rule – not a rabid nationalist, but a person who wants peace and stability in the region. How do you interpret this angry tone and do you think that you and the EU need to do something about it?"

The progressive attainment of European standards is not an instant event, but a long process. European integration implies tough choices and frequently unpopular reforms. Unlike the social costs, the results are not always immediately visible, and I can understand that there may be impatience and frustration in the region, especially amongst the young generation. But the EU will eventually honour its promises and the end result will be rewarding.