10 October 1994

Doc. 7171

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on support for Slovenia

to its further integration into the European Union

presented by Mr PAHOR, Slovenia, SOC

and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly,

1.       Underline the importance of friendly and good neighbourly relations between countries for the peace, development and future of Europe. For this reason they have observed with concern the recent developments in relations between the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Slovenia.

2.       Italy has placed conditions on its consent to start negotiations with Slovenia on the conclusion of a European agreement. It requires that Slovenia accommodates Italian demands prior to the granting of consent. In the manner and substance of its demands, it wishes to set itself up in the superior position of a much larger neighbour. Such a policy undermines the idea of European co-operation and could represent a grave precedent for the settling of relations between nations and states throughout Europe.

3.       Slovenia and Italy are bound to adhere to the agreements which, through the act on notification of inheritance of the agreements of the former SFR Yugoslavia with the Republic of Italy, the two states recognised as legally valid and binding for both the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Italy. We ask the Assembly to maintain that the two countries resolve all possible open questions on a bilateral level, in accordance with established practice in international relations.

4.       We ask the Assembly to lay special emphasis on the importance of the protection of ethnic minorities - in this case the Slovenes in Italy and the Italians in Slovenia. We invite this Assembly to expect Italy to follow the good example of Slovenia and through a law on the universal protection of the Slovene minority bring about an improvement in the minority's current status as well as its development in the future.

Signed:

Pahor - Slovenia - SOC

Bučar - Slovenia - LDR

Pukl - Slovenia - SOC

Gusenbauer - Austria - SOC

Kelchtermans - Belgium - EPP

Severinsen - Denmark - LDR

Antretter - Germany - SOC

Eörsi - Hungary - LDR

Novák - Czech Republic - EDG

Borderas - Spain - SOC

Billing - Sweden - EDG

Ruffy - Switzerland - SOC

Atkinson - United Kingdom - EDG

Holmberg - Sweden - LDR

Smith - United Kingdom - EDG