Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 7

Written Answers. - Serbian Election Results.

Seán Haughey

Question:

40 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's and the EU's response to the cancellation of local election results in Serbia by authorities dominated by the party of President Slobodan Milosevic. [23988/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Government and the EU remain gravely concerned about the situation in Serbia and, with our EU partners, we are monitoring developments there very closely.

I acknowledge the dignity and restraint with which the political opposition in Serbia and their supporters have conducted their protest against the authorities' decision to annual election results which had given them victories in a number of major cities on 17 November. The sheer magnitude of these demonstrations show clearly the level of dissatisfaction which exists at that unacceptable decision.

As Presidency of the EU, we have issued a number of statements and declarations on the deteriorating situation, expressing our concern over the undemocratic annulment of some local election results by the authorities, deploring the authorities' actions in silencing independent broadcasters, demanding that Serbia respects the right of the people to protest peacefully, and urging that restraint be exercised.

In light of the developments in that country, the Union has decided to postpone granting trade concessions to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and we fully support this. We firmly believe that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia must eventually take its place amongst the international community of nations, for the sake of stability and prosperity in the region, but it cannot do so unless it observes basic standards of democracy and human rights, and it will continue to be isolated until these conditions improve. I again reiterate that it is the view of the Government, and the European Union, that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's attitude towards the issues of respect for human and minority rights, and the observance of democratic norms, will be key factors in determining our future relationship with that country.