Vol. 533 No. 5
72 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's reaction to recent events in Macedonia; our policy position on the territorial integrity of that country; and if any assistance will be made available to Macedonia. [9432/01]
The Government is gravely concerned at the recent outbreak of violence in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, FYROM. The Government's position was set out most recently in my reply of 27 March to a question from Deputy Durkan on this issue. Ireland has participated actively at EU level, at the OSCE and in discussions at the United Nations Security Council about the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and we have made our views known in these fora.
We participated in the drafting of the United Nations Security Council resolution on the situation in FYROM adopted on 21 March. Ireland fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of FYROM and the inviolability of its borders. While regretting that military action was necessary to restore security in the northern FYROM area around Tetovo, we are relieved that the action that has been taken has resulted in minimum casualties to the civilian population in the area.
The Government welcomes the commitment given by the President and Foreign Minister of FYROM at the European Council in Stockholm to enter into dialogue with the political leaders of the Albanian community in FYROM in order to address the legitimate grievances of that community. In common with our partners in the EU, Ireland will continue to monitor developments in the region closely with a view to disbursing humanitarian assistance for the vulnerable population should this be necessary.
FYROM is already a major beneficiary of EU assistance and of the stability pact for south east Europe. To help bring about a rapid increase in stability, the EU plans to contribute 40 million euro to improve the situation for the Albanian minority. Support will be given , inter alia, to the Albanian-speaking university in Tetovo and to the Albanian speaking television and radio stations.
