Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:69 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his attitude to the application of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for admission to the United Nations.
Written Answers. - UN Admission Application.
The issue of the application of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for admission to the United Nations is closely linked to the question of its international recognition as an independent State. Following the publication early last year of the report of the Badinter Commission, established by the Twelve in the framework of the EC Peace Conference, which indicated that Macedonia fulfilled the conditions established by the EC for its recognition, the Twelve have made clear their readiness to recognise the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. However, as I stated in a recent reply to another question, we wish this to be done in a manner which will avoid creating a further area of tension and potential conflict in the Balkans.
The application by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been referred to the UN's Committee on the Admission of New Members which has not yet prepared a report for the Security Council. When this report has been considered by the Security Council, the Council will make a recommendation to the General Assembly.
I will give the Security Council's recommendation very careful consideration. It would not be helpful to speculate further on the matter at this stage as we cannot anticipate the course of the Security Council's discussion or its eventual recommendation. Moreover, important consultations involving the Greek and Macedonian authorities and members of the Security Council are now taking place. The objective is to secure agreement on the admission to the UN of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under an interim name, to be followed by binding arbitration on the final name of the State. I fully support this process.