PA President Severin addresses Macedonian crisis at Speakers Conference in Skopje

SKOPJE, 21 March 2001 - Following a meeting on Tuesday with the Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Srgjan Kerim, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Mr. Adrian Severin, addressed the Second Conference of Parliaments of South-East Europe in Skopje today.

In his speech, Mr. Severin addressed the worsening situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and made clear that "we must do our utmost to stop such acts of violence," asserting that peaceful means is the only way to solve disputes.

In order to defend the territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, it is essential to strengthen control of the borders, and non-military institutions to control the borders must be developed. Also, the entire KLA must be disarmed, and there must be measures to ensure an alternative civil life for former fighters. In the long-term, "it is essential to build up a just society where all members feel equal and safe," he said.

Mr. Severin assured the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that the OSCE will continue to be at their disposal, and that the Chairman-in-Office has decided to appoint a personal representative to help solve the crisis.

Mr. Severin, a former Romanian Foreign Minister, representing more than 300 parliamentarians from 55 participating OSCE participating States, went on to address the background of much of the conflict that has gripped the region, citing the painful process that South-Eastern Europe has had to undergo since the fall of totalitarian regimes. The only way to overcome the current difficulties, Mr. Severin asserted, is to "promote a strategy of common projects," to replace the "identity crisis and conflicts with the solidarity of interests."

Mr. Severin stated that the OSCE's involvement in the region is based on the realization that there is a "strong and inseparable link and interaction between the promotion of peace and stability, the development of economic prosperity, and the implementation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law." Mr. Severin argued that what South-Eastern Europe needs is integration of values and integration of economies, which means developing infrastructure and furthering economic co-operation in the region.

Mr. Severin also made clear how pleased he is that some of his prior fears regarding the isolation of Yugoslavia have not been realized, acknowledging Yugoslavia's return to the OSCE, which made both Yugoslavia and the OSCE stronger. He assured Yugoslavia that "they have our support and best wishes."

For further information please contact Mr. Jan Jooren, Press Counsellor of the OSCE PA, e-mail press.counsellor@oscepa.dk, tel. +45 33378040, fax. +45 33378030.