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Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje issues joint statement
SKOPJE 21 April 2003
SKOPJE, 21 April 2003 - Statement of the Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitoring Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Craig Jenness, supported by the EU Special Representative Alexis Brouhns, the United States Ambassador Lawrence Butler, and NATO Ambassador Nicolaas Biegman, in reaction to the decision by DPA (Democratic Party of Albanians) to declare a moratorium on party activity, including participation in parliament.
"Since the signing of the Ohrid Agreement in August 2001, the situation has drastically improved. Eighteen months ago the country was on the brink of a civil war.
The Framework Agreement, witnessed and signed by the EU and the US, establishes a basis for a multi-ethnic, unitary state that rejects violence and whose borders are inviolable. Its full implementation is fundamental in order to avoid the tragedies of the past, and is key for fulfilling the political conditions set for integration with the EU and NATO.
The Framework Agreement is not one option among others. It is the only way forward. The political parties and representatives who signed the Framework Agreement are responsible to engage actively in this process and make it a success. For the sake of the state and all its citizens, implementation must not be hampered by actions that contradict earlier commitments. Alternative scenarios will hinder the successes achieved so far and block the way to Brussels.
2003 is a key year, during which it is launching complex economic, judicial and political reforms that will be key in furthering its integration with European and Atlantic structures. The Framework Agreement is the cornerstone of these efforts.
Complete implementation of the Ohrid Agreement will take time, patience, and above all, hard work. The EU, US, NATO and OSCE remain determined and fully committed to this process. We will continue to provide full support to the efforts from all democratic political actors, state institutions and civil society that are dedicated to work towards its full implementation, as well as to fight against organized crime and corruption."
"Since the signing of the Ohrid Agreement in August 2001, the situation has drastically improved. Eighteen months ago the country was on the brink of a civil war.
The Framework Agreement, witnessed and signed by the EU and the US, establishes a basis for a multi-ethnic, unitary state that rejects violence and whose borders are inviolable. Its full implementation is fundamental in order to avoid the tragedies of the past, and is key for fulfilling the political conditions set for integration with the EU and NATO.
The Framework Agreement is not one option among others. It is the only way forward. The political parties and representatives who signed the Framework Agreement are responsible to engage actively in this process and make it a success. For the sake of the state and all its citizens, implementation must not be hampered by actions that contradict earlier commitments. Alternative scenarios will hinder the successes achieved so far and block the way to Brussels.
2003 is a key year, during which it is launching complex economic, judicial and political reforms that will be key in furthering its integration with European and Atlantic structures. The Framework Agreement is the cornerstone of these efforts.
Complete implementation of the Ohrid Agreement will take time, patience, and above all, hard work. The EU, US, NATO and OSCE remain determined and fully committed to this process. We will continue to provide full support to the efforts from all democratic political actors, state institutions and civil society that are dedicated to work towards its full implementation, as well as to fight against organized crime and corruption."