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9(c) B4-0828, 0837, 0848, 0854, 0865 and 0878/97

Resolution on Kosovo

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions and recommendations on the situation in Kosovo and the former Yugoslavia,

- having regard to the Council's "policy paper on former Yugoslavia" of 31 October 1995,

A. noting with great concern that, although an agreement was reached in 1996 on the normalisation of the education system in Kosovo, it has still not been implemented,

B. whereas on 1 October 1997 peaceful protests against the lack of normalisation of the education system were violently broken up by the Serbian police,

C. whereas discrimination against Albanian-speaking students has been systematically practised for years, as has discrimination in most other spheres of society,

D. emphasizing that the normalisation of the education system in Kosovo could be a first step towards an overall political solution to the tensions in the region,

E. whereas the Council has approved the opening of an EU office in Pristina, a move that has been repeatedly requested by Parliament,

F. whereas, together with the EU, the return of a long-term OSCE mission could play a decisive role in the region,

1. Condemns the violent actions of the Serbian police force against peaceful demonstrations in the Kosovo region and calls on the Serbian authorities to desist from further violence;

2. Urges the Serbian authorities to implement without further delay the education agreement signed in 1996 and calls on the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the representatives of the people in Kosovo to start negotiations as soon as possible leading to an overall political solution for the situation in the Kosovo region;

3. Calls on the Commission and the Council to take the necessary steps to contribute actively to the conclusion of such an agreement and urges them to make it clear once more to the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that future relations with the EU are dependent on respect for human rights and positive developments in the situation in Kosovo;

4. Calls on the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to respond positively and promptly to the European Union's decision to open an office in Pristina;

5. Urges the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to grant the High Commissioner of the OSCE, Max van der Stoel, a visa to allow him to travel to Kosovo;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government and the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Ibrahim Rugova.

This document is published online by Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights