| EQUIPO NIZKOR | European Union Document | DERECHOS |
9(e) B4-0849/97
Resolution on the political situation in Slovakia
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the Slovak Republic, and in particular its resolution of 12 December 1996 on the case of Frantisek Gaulieder, Member of the Slovak Parliament (1),
- having regard to the Europe Association Agreement between the European Union and Slovakia, which clearly includes respect for human rights and the rights of minorities, democracy and the rule of law as one of the basic elements of the agreement,
- having regard to the proclamation of the National Council of the Slovak Republic of 10 October 1997 and the Joint Declaration of the President and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic of 17 October 1997,
A. noting that the Commission, in its opinion on Slovakia's application for membership of the European Union, has concluded that Slovakia does not currently fulfil the political criteria for membership, because of the instability of its institutions, which are insufficiently rooted in political life, and the shortcomings in the functioning of its democracy,
B. noting with deep concern that, although the Constitutional Court of Slovakia has given a positive ruling in the case of Mr Gaulieder's request to be reinstated as a Member of Parliament, no positive decision to this end has yet resulted,
C. noting with regret that these circumstances have forced the European Parliament and its President to take the decision not to participate in the next meeting of Presidents of Parliament of the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the European Parliament,
D. noting that full respect for fundamental democratic rights, including the free exercise of parliamentary mandates, is a pre-condition for the further development of relations between Slovakia on the one hand and the European Union and its institutions on the other,
E. noting with deep concern that the Slovakian Government's attitude towards respect for democratic principles and human rights and the rights of minorities risks alienating Slovakia ever further from the country's integration into the structures of the European Union,
1. Urges the Parliament and Government of Slovakia to take all necessary steps fully to reinstate Mr Gaulieder as a Member of Parliament;
2. Urges the Government and the Parliament of Slovakia furthermore to take all the necessary steps fully to respect human rights and the rights of minorities, democracy and the rule of law, in order to fulfil the necessary conditions for continuation of the process of Slovakia's integration in the structures of the European Union, in particular through implementation of the recommendations unanimously adopted at the meeting of the EU/Slovakia Joint Parliamentary Committee in June 1997;
3. Warns the Slovak Government that, if these conditions are not fulfilled, serious obstacles will be put in the way of the process of the country's European integration, and that this attitude of the Government may isolate the country from the developments in nearly all its neighbouring states;
4. Appeals to all of the institutions of the European Union to engage in a critical dialogue with the Slovak authorities in order to convince them of the need to protect human rights and the rights of minorities, democracy and the rule of law;
5. Urges the Commission and the Council to step up the activities of the PHARE democracy programme in Slovakia;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, and the Government and Parliament of Slovakia.
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