On the first day of the Gymnich meeting in Bremen the EU foreign ministers spoke in detail about the future of Kosovo. "The Kosovo status settlement marks the final act in the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia", said Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier during the press conference on the evening of 30 March. "Not until this outstanding issue in the Balkans is resolved can we achieve lasting political stability and economic development in the region".
The basis for the foreign ministers' talks was the joint position reached during February's General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting. This will also be the basis for the position of the EU Member States on the UN Security Council. The foreign ministers unanimously welcomed the efforts undertaken since February 2006 by President Ahtisaari and paid tribute to the clear statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
A new Security Council resolution is designed to create the framework for implementing the status settlement, which takes into consideration the legitimate interests of Belgrade and Pristina. The EU foreign ministers welcomed the opening of talks on a new resolution in New York. In the Security Council the EU will present its joint position on Kosovo in an active and united manner.
More Serbian students in EU Member States
"The EU sticks to its position – we reach out our hand to Serbia", declared Steinmeier. The road Serbia must take is not easy. The status settlement for Kosovo, the necessary democratic reforms in Serbia and the as yet incomplete formation of a government are difficult challenges. However, the EU is agreed that the Serbian people's desire for a future in the Union will be strongly supported. To this end more young people, for example students or schoolchildren, are to be given the opportunity to spend time in the EU countries.
Joint declaration on Iran adopted
On the issue of the British citizens in Iran, Steinmeier stated that the UK could count on the solid and steadfast solidarity of all European countries. Secretary-General Solana was tasked by the foreign ministers with seeking talks with Tehran in order to enable a solution to be found. On this issue the foreign ministers adopted a joint declaration. "This is a clear signal that the Europeans stand together in difficult times", Steinmeier emphasized.
