Adopted by the ELDR Party Congress in Ljubljana, 26-28 September 2001

• Given that the re-emergence of historic hostilities between ethnic groups an various parts of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has not only resulted in severe suffering of large parts of the population, but also constitutes a serious threat to political stability in the whole region.

• Departing from the assumption that the Balkan region will remain an area of crisis even after the current NATO mission has been accomplished successfully.

• Aware of the fact that military interventions are not suitable to serve as a basis for long term settlements.

• Considering the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the Balkan region.

• Noting that all political parties in the region are striving for integration into the European community of values.

• Emphasising that following the endorsement of the NATO mission in Macedonia by the Russian Government and the support of the United Nation, the international political environment is currently favorable for attempts to seek lasting political solutions.

• Given that the OSCE, being the only organisation comprising the USA, Canada and Russia, as well as all European states including those on the territory of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, provides a suitable framework for such endeavours.

• Aware of the fact that the OSCE has over the last 25 years made an extraordinary contribution towards conflict settlement and European integration.

• Stressing that Southeastern Europe urgently needs a similar process aiming at regional confidence building and peaceful cohabitation of states and ethnic groups in the region.

• Aware of the necessity that the OSCE reinforces its function as a decisive element of pan European security.

The ELDR party and council:

1. calls for the convocation of a Conference for Security and Cooperation in Southeastern Europe (CSCSE) aiming at the settlement of political conflicts in the region and the establishment of a security structure for all of Southeastern Europe.

2. recommends that such an initiative should be called for under the auspices of the OSCE having in mind the implementation of successful CSCE/OSCE processes such as confidence building measures, conflict settlement and regional cooperation.

3. requests that this conference should provide solutions for issues such as the rights of ethnic minorities, the return of refugees, the elaboration and strengthening of democratic institutions, a disarmament and arms control, the establishment of mechanism of preventive conflict settlements and the mutual recognition of political an geographic borders.

4. calls upon the members of the European Union, in particular the Belgian presidency of the Council to endorse this initiative within the framework of common European Foreign and Security Policy.

5. also calls on EU members to elaborate a common European draft resolution for the current 56^th General Assembly of the United Nations aiming at a Conference for Security and Cooperation in Southeastern Europe under the auspices of OSCE.

6. further recommends that the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan assumes a vital role in the implementation of such an CSCSE initiative.

7. stresses that such a conference should be prepared in close cooperation with the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe with particular regards to the "Charter for good neighbourhood, stability and cooperation in Southeastern Europe"