Europe
After having celebrated the tenth anniversary of the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, Europe has not yet managed to complete the task of building a region of peace, liberty and prosperity. Liberal International applauds the continuing process of European integration but deplores the slow EU accession negotiations with Central and Eastern European countries. Liberal International calls for the creation of a comprehensive security order reflecting the new political realities.
Liberal International sees it as one of its greatest challenges to intensify its co-operation with political partners in Central and Eastern Europe, to strengthen its ties with its present members in that region and to identify new ones. A strong liberal network in which Liberal International, the ELDR and their member parties and groups closely co-operate must strengthen liberalism in Central and Eastern Europe.
Liberal International expresses its deep concern at the proliferation of political and economic crises in Russia. Without adequate legislation or law enforcement in the Russian administration its economy will never prosper. We call on the international community to press the Russian government to address this problem and to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
While recognizing the right of Russia to protect its citizens form terrorist attacks, we utterly abhor the wholesale violence and violation of human by Russian forces in Chechnia, LI applauds the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly under our liberal colleague President, Lord Russell-Johnston for taking action on this issue.
With the fall of the Milosevic regime in Belgrade, the regime of Alexandar Lukashenka in Belarus is the last full fledged dictatorship in Europe. The general elections held October 15th were no exception from former arranged elections accompanied by heavy intimidations and exclusion from free and fair access to media and the electoral process for the opposition forces and can by no means be regarded as free and fair in any acceptable way.
The Presidential elections to be held in Belarus in 2001 will be a decisive moment for a turn to democracy also in Belarus. The Liberal International welcomes any efforts by the democratic forces in Belarus to join forces to create a unified democratic alternative to a prolonged Lukashenka presidency in Belarus. The successful efforts by the united democratic forces in Serbia shows that elections can be decisive also when scrupulous dictators seem to have all necessary means to stay in power. The Liberal International will strongly support initiatives for a united democratic front against Alexandar Lukashenka in Belarus.
The Congress welcomes political changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that will have long-term positive consequences on the peace and stability in South Eastern Europe, and will have a positive influence on similar processes in the remaining antidemocratic regimes throughout the world. This Congress most strongly welcomes the fall of the Milosevic regime in Belgrade and the overwhelming victory of the democratic forces in Serbia and the new president Vojislav Kostunica. Democratic progress in Serbia is a basic prerequisite for growing peace and stability in the Balkans.
Liberal International believes that the civil revolution of October 5th marks the historical turning point in the development of Serbia and Montenegro. The future steps of Serbia can only be taken by the citizens of Serbia but there should be a strong commitment of the international community to enable and enhance such a development by all necessary efforts.
Liberal International draws the attention of the international community and of the political parties within Liberal International on the importance of support to the political forces of liberal democratic orientation in Serbia such as New Democracy, Democratic Center and other parties that within the Democratic Opposition of Serbia represents a significant part of changes in Yugoslavia.
The Congress calls upon political parties within Liberal International to cooperate closely with such forces in Serbia and its newly established democratic administration in the processes of building democratic institutions and procedures through the development of modern public administration, strong political parties and vigorous civil society as guarantors of permanency of such changes. Lasting peace and democracy in the Balkans has to be built on mutual trust and cooperation of all states and nations in the area. Only through peaceful negotiations with mutual respect can forms for a future living together be found between Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Full respect for human rights, rights of minorities and the right to return for all, irrespective of national origin, who were forced to leave their homes during the wars in former Yugoslavia, are basic principles for peace and democracy in the region.
Liberal International calls upon all parties and the new government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to cooperate fully with Hague Tribunal on War Crimes in former Yugoslavia.
The Congress expresses the will of Liberal International to support the establishment of civil society and democratic institutions in the whole of former Yugoslavia. Therefore it strengthens its efforts to promote a new dialogue between the former parties of conflict thus contributing to the establishment of a common European security architecture.
Liberal International welcomes the democratic transition of power in Croatia and the efforts taken by the new leadership to resolve the refugee situation especially since August 1995 within Croatia, to start a peaceful cooperation with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to cooperate fully with the Hague Tribunal on War Crimes in former Yugoslavia and to start the integration of Croatia in all forums of European Cooperation.
Liberal International endorses the continuing efforts of the British and Irish Governments and the parties in Northern Ireland to build a stable settlement in Northern Ireland, which will allow the nationalist minority, the unionist majority and indeed all sections of the community to live in peace and mutual respect. Congress welcomes the continued commitment shown by the United States, Canada, Finland, South Africa and other members of the international community to assist in the resolution of this long-standing problem.
After more than two decades of division in Cyprus no real progress has been achieved in the search for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem. The status quo on Cyprus is unacceptable and LI calls on the Greek and Turkish Governments and parties and administrations in Cyprus to commit themselves to create a fair and lasting agreement based on tolerance and mutual respect between the communities.
Any decision on the future status of Gibraltar must involve the Gibraltarians.
LI welcomes Turkey's recognition as a candidate for EU membership, but calls on that State to introduce the improvements in its standards of democracy and human rights without which it will not be able to negotiate entry.