newsitems Croat President Josipovic to EuroFora: All Refugees back, Criminals punished, East-West Economy link
Croat President Josipovic to EuroFora: All Refugees back, Criminals punished, East-West Economy link
Front-runner EU candidate Croatia's New President (2010-2014) Prof. Ivo Josipovic, replying to "EuroFora"'s questions, stressed his willingness to fully respect "all" Refugees/IDPs Human Rights, find and punish Criminals responsible for War Crimes, "Missing" persons, etc., so that fulfilling basic EU Accession Conditions is completed asap, while also bringing a key contribution to the whole Region's Stability and Economic Development : F.ex. by offering its long Sea Coasts, strategically linked with inland River Ports, particularly at Danube and other Rivers, in the run up to the forthcoming 2011 Hungarian EU Chairmanship, which is due to launch a "Danube Strategy", linking the Black Sea to EU's Franco-German a.o. industrial core since the 2001 opening of its Rhine connexion to grand gabarit Ships, and 2007 EU's Enlargment to Bulgaria and Romania, particularly useful for Direct EU Sea-River PanEuropean Highways for Liquefied Gas transport from Asia.
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- "You Highlighted efforts done to complete Refugees' Return, and to clear up individual War Crimes, "Missing" Persons, etc.. Do you think that Croatia could become a good example also for other Countries, to do alike, as a means for Reconciliation and Stable Peace, by ensuring People that Past Human Rights' violations will never happen again in the Future ?", "Eurofora" asked.
And, as far as Economy is concerned, is there an awareness and political willingness to use f.ex. Liquefied Natural Gas' Sea and River Ship Transport as a contribution of Croatia to European integration ?", we added.
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- "We are fully supporting ALL Refugees to come back to Croatia, (and) there is full support for People to have their Properties back" : This is a basic Political Statement by Croatia", stressed President Josipovic in reply to "EuroFora"'s 1st Question.
- "Croatia is faced with the issue of an important Number of People who are still Ot of their Homes", Josipovic admitted honestly.
- "But I have to stress that we did a quite Significant job : Many People are already in their Homes", the Croatian President observed.
- "And Croatia is fully supporting for ALL Refugees to go back to their Homes", Josipovic strongly reiterated, as a matter of Principle. (Something which is notoriously rejected, on the contrary, in the case of Turkey's controversial EU bid, mainly vis a vis more than 190.000 Greek Cypriot Displaced People, from whom, practically noone hasn't yet been allowed to return Home, even after some 25 Years of Legal struggles in Strasbourg and a many ECHR Judgements, which have notoriously recognized Refugees/Displaced persons Human Rights to find Restoration or Fair Compensation for their usurpated Homes and/or private Properties, and freely Return at their Ancestral Land, which has inspired even the UN, fex. in the famous "Pinheiro Principles").
- "Of course, this not only a matter of will : It's (also) a matter of Economical Development, because you cannot live from Houses alone,.... and Refugees, when they return, must find a proper Job and proper living conditions. It's not easy to fullfil all these requirements, particularly in Rural areas", he went on to explain, on how things really go in practice.
- In fact, we must "help all the (Refugees/Displaced) People to have Sustainable Return back to their Homes. It's very important, because, if you just bring People back without the proper conditions, then, you create another problem", he pointed out.
- "So, we are Now building a New Process, in Negotiation with the Neighbouring Countries (i.e. mainly Serbia), on how to" do so, President Josipovic added, observing that, this bilateral cooperation on such an Humanitarian issue as organizing a proper Refugee's Return is something which is "expected" to be practiced "also by other neighbouring States".
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- Even "my (own) Life and Professional career are based on (a) Firm Human Conviction.. for the Full Respect of Human Rights .. : I Believe that such Values cannot be Measured, or have a Price", Josipovic also said, referring to his personal work as Jurist, Lawyer, Expert and Professor of International Law, including by action "through Civil Society", as well as in relation to International Courts.
- In this framework, after the "Serious Consequences of War and War Destruction" provoked, back in the 1990ies accross the former Yugoslavia's area, " a number of Individual Crimes were committed, against Persons belonging to other Ethnic Groups, .. or People upholding Differend Worldview and Opinions", Croatia's President clearly acknowledged. But "we are implementing a Policy of Zero Tolerance towards all persons who have committed Crimes, and we believe that the Punishment of Crime is an integral part of the (Democratic) Transformation" of Croatia and its surrounding region. "Croatian Citizens suspected of War Crimes are tried", he promissed earlier at the CoE, as a matter of General Principle.
- But, for the Croatian President, "It's a Necessity... to Clarify Crimes committed in the War, and bring them back to where they belong : (I.e.) to the Sphere of Individual Perpetrators of Offenses, and Outside of the Impermissible Sphere of Collective Guilt", as he observed. Because, "No People in conflict ... is Guilty : It is the Individuals, demonstrable Perpetrators of Crimes that are Guilty, and they must be Punished for it", as he told CoE.
Advancing further towards this direction, Croatia aims to give now "a Clear Message and Commitment .. to the Completion of the process of Transformation", because "Croatia wants to be a consolidated Democracy in which Values such as Demoracy, Human Rights, Freedom and Justice are promoted and Fully Respected". I want to "stress that Croatia is fully commited to European standards and hope that Croatia will soon become Member of the EU". President Josipovic anounced from the outset.
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CoE's Secretary General Jagland : Croatia is in the RIGHT TRACK
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- "Recognition of our Reconciliatory efforts in the Region", and "support for our EU Membership", "is important for Croatia". "I hope that this "waiting room" will soon become our permanent place" and Croatia will be full Member of CoE and EU". "I'm convinced that Croatia will fullfil all European Standards, and in particular on Human Rights", added later Josipovic, after meeting with CoE's Secretary General Thornbjorn Jagland.
- "All things are on the Right Track, and, of course, we welcome very much Croatia's Accession prospects in the EU, based on European Standards", stressed CoE's new Chief Jagland, after meeting with Josipovic. "Croatia has prepared itself in a very beautiful way, and this "waiting room" was, in fact, beneficial" to the country. "Croatia is a very Good and active CoE Member State : We have no Unresolved issues. We can make progress in a couple of issues, but we are in a very good Dialogue.. (And) I commented the (Croatian) President's efforts for Reconciliation in the Region, .. (fex. on Bosnia Herzegovina, etc)", concluded Jagland.
Questioned by another Journalist about "where do you think that Croatia should push its efforts ?", Jagland said that "there is a couple of (CoE's) Conventions that we'd like to see ratified. But this is the case for most of CoE's Member States, among which not all Conventions have been ratified. So, I have put emphasis on Croatia's contribution for Reconciliation, particularly at the Region", CoE's Secretary General concluded.
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All this fits well with Josipovic's long-time job as Professor for Criminal procedure and International Crime law , acting as a Lawyer before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and as a CoE's Expert in checking Prisons' situation, f.ex. in Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
Brillantly elected with more than 60% of Votes on February 2010 against another Socialist candidate, Josipovic, has the same 1st Name : "Ivo" as his famous compatriot, long-time former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, (See Sanader's earlier statements to "EuroFora", partly published here, in previous NewsReports), who guided the country from 2003 to 2009, succeeding to start Accession Negotiations with the EU in 2004, to "decouple from Turkey""s controversial EU bid (as he had said in Strasbourg) and to overtake it since 2006-2007, enter NATO in 2009 at Strasbourg's 60th Anniversary Summit, as well as to start receiving EU promisses (from 2008) for a possible 2010 EU Accession (including by EU Parliament's Resolutions voted in Strasbourg), before Croatia's EU course was threatened by political conditions raised by socialist Slovenian Government from the end of 2008, after which he was suddenly and unexpectedly obliged to resign for unknown reasons on July 2009, replaced by other politicians in his party, who failed to pursue his legacy.
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- "Concerning Economic Questions, including the Energy sector that You mentioned, (i.e. NLG)", Croatia's President went on to say in his 2nd Reply to "EuroFora"'s 2nd Question (See supra), "of course, Croatia has a very Good (GeoPolitical) Position" :
- " It's, somehow, a unique Crossing point and Transition from East to West", President Josipovic underlined, making an obvious reference to "EuroFora"'s observation on the Sea and River Ship Transport Potential of the Country for PanEuropean New, Strategic Links.
- "We have excellently placed (Sea + River) Harbours, we have a good position to be a place from (which) and to (which) Commercial Enterprises will keep (Move, Ship) their Goods and start a Trade between the East and the West. It's a very good position that Croatia is going to offer", together with "our good services, both to People from the East and from the West, in the Future", i.e. when it would become "EU's 28th Member State", possibly before 2012, he concluded.
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Josipovic, who is also known for his Music composition work, (and had reportedly promised to compose an opera on John Lennon's non-eludated murder if he was elected), Symbolically came to Strasbourg when France was celebrating the Annual "Music Feast" day,.
.... including in the "Rhine's Palace", at Republic Square, Headquarters of the Rhine River Ship Navigation International Committee, (which develops recently natural links with the Budapest-based Danube Navigation international committee : Comp. supra).
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3 EU Parliament votes to boost EuroGroup !
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After EuroZone Paris Summit's succes, Sarkozy calls to "think anew how to re-construct Europe !
"EuroZone and EU Institutional debates pave the way to 2009 discussions on EU Future, including Enlargment, Turkey etc. ?
23 October 2008
After EU Parliament strongly suppported in 3 successive Votes this week in Strasbourg French EU Chairmanship's move to boost Euro-Group at EU's core, while ideas on EU Institutional problems are awaited on December, "it's an open Question now" if this may lead to a debate on EU's Future, or not, told us French President, Nicolas Sarkozy''s Spokesman, Pierre-Jerome Henin.
MEPs voted on Thursday fresh Funds to support EuroGroup, after adopting on Wednesday a Resolution asking a "further Evolution" to "the 1st ever meeting of Heads of State and of Government of the Euro-Zone, taking decisions in that capacity", while earlier this week a Report asked "a stronger Institutional setting" for "EuroGroup", extended from "competitiveness/industry" to "environment, employment and education", with "increased powers for Political decision-making", according to a text drafted by French MEP Francoise Beres and German MEP Werner Langen, "10 Years after the creation of Euro" (1999 - 2009).
- Brussels' subsequent "EU Council ..(simply)..ratified the measures decided by EuroGroup on October 12" in Paris, which "were necessary to contain the current Financial Crisis", Resolution observes, expressing also support to the new process succesfully initiated by Sarkozy and due to be completed by agreements with USA and other countries at a Global level.
From now on, it's between two differend but parallel moves : EU's delay, and EuroZone's acceleration, that Enlargement and particularly Turkey's controversial EU bid, will have to search its way :
Indeed, EU's 27 expect a "Roadmap on how to deal with the Irish problem" on Lisbon Treaty ratification after December, risking to pass even 2009 Elections and next Commission with the old Nice Treaty of 2000, out-dated and unfit even for 2004's Enlargement...
On the contrary, EU's core launches a real "Economic Governance for EuroZone at the highest level of Heads of State/Government" of the 15, which started in Paris on October 12 and was strongly supported this week in Strasbourg by Sarkozy and EU Parliament.
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- "It's a good idea, to launch such a debate ("on EU's Future") in EU Parliament in view of 2009 Euro-Election : Perhaps some MEPs will seize an opportunity", told us mainstream French MEP Alain Lamassoure, former EU Minister and EU Spokesman for France's governing party UMP.
- "All MEPs' debates on such EU Councils are also part of the larger debate on Europe's future : Now with EuroZone, and even more when, on December, Irish Prime Minister is due to table proposals in Strasbourg on how to deal with EU Treaty's ratification", replied earlier to our question EU Parliament's Press Director and Spokesman, Jaume Duch.
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Sarkozy has formally anounced his intention to open EU Debates on Economy, Identity/Enlargement (i.e. mainly Turkey), etc. both linked to a popular Political view of Europe, since his Historic speeches on EU in Strasbourg, on February and July 2007, when he stressed that "Europe needs a New Renaissance". At the beginning of the French EU Presidency, on July 2008, replying to a MEP, he suggested that EU Parliament takes an active part in Debates on EU's Future.
- Now, in 2008, "Crisis are an opportunity to re-think how to re-construct Europe", Sarkozy stressed. At any case, the Historic 1st EuroZone Summit of Heads of State/Government, which started replying to the Financial crisis,"is a Turning Point : After that, Europe cannot be governed as before, but differently" : People "like a Europe with Strong Will".
- "We must make the System move !", "Europe needs Innovation" and free political debates. EU "Elections are in a few Months", Sarkozy warned.
He invited EU Parliament to fully play its role as "the Democratic Heart of the Europe we want : United, Independent and Voluntarist, because the World needs Europe's voice".
- "It's no more possible for Euro-Zone to continue without an Economic Government" at the Highest Level of Heads of State/Government, who provide "Democratic Legitimity" and can take important decisions, he announced, strongly supported by EU Parliament's Economic Committee which just voted to boost the "Institutional" aspects of "EuroGroup".
Plasticity offered by the current absence of a special Treaty on EuroZone's Institutions "made it easy to adapt the organization of the 1st Summit with imagination, to efficiently meet urgent needs", he observed, on the occasion of Brittish Prime Minister's exceptionnal presence at the greatest part of EuroGroup's Paris Summit.
- "In EuroZone we have the same Bank, the same Money, and, thus, a same duty for Unity" : "By bringing together EuroGroup's 15 members States we suceeded to find a solution and prepare a Giant Plan of 1.800 Billion euros", Sarkozy reminded of Paris' 1st Historic EuroZone's Summit.
Afterwards, Brussels' EU Council followed the move, and USA's Paulson II Plan was inspired from that. "Europe must promote the idea of Global Economy's Refoundation", he stressed.
- "I was frankly astonished when I found, at the EU, a rigid system, where any New Idea was seen from the outset as a sacrilege, while, on the contrary, Europe needs Innovation !", he described.
F.ex. ,"'When we first spoke about the "Union for the Mediterranean", it was misunderstood as something extraordinary.. When later we had the Russia -Georgia crisis, it seemed against EU's custom to act "in the middle of August", instead of staying a passive spectator ! And when, in front of the Financial ciris, we gathered the 1st EuroZone Summit of the "15", some thought of it as a lese-majesté", he denounced.
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On Geo-Political Principles :
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- But, by moving resolutely, "EU obtained the ...withdrawal of Occupation Troops in 2 Months !", reminded Sarkozy, observing that Russia "fulfilled its commitments", in the Georgian crisis, where a "disroportionate reaction" from Moscow followed a "totally inappropriate action" from Tbilisi's troops. "It would be crazy to reply by military means : EU should not become accomplice of another Cold War, imposed by lack of cool heads".. as he said.
In future, "the creation of a common European Economic Area with EU and Russia, would also obtain a raprochment on our Human Rights and Democratic Values", added Sarkozy, in a statement which should logically be applied, a fortiori, to controversial EU "candidate" Turkey..
Particularly when, the same week that EU Parliament voted 2009 EU Funds for Turkey's controversial EU bid, ECHR took a series of judgements condemning Turkey for grave Violations of Human Rights, such as : Torture, death of a political prisoner in unclear circumstances followed by failure to conduct a proper Investigation, "enforced Disappearance" of a youngster aged 17, Killing of a sepherd with Tank Shells, persecuting Journalists for articles on "Missing" People, even a former President of Human Rights' Association, (etc)
- "We (EU) can defend our ideas on respect of Sovereignity and territorial Integrity, on Human Rights and other differences ... without confrontation", Sarkozy stressed, on the occasion of Russian/Georgian conflict, reminding that : "we were only 2 steps from catastroph", when a Peace agreement brokered in Moscow prevented, at the last minute, Russian troops' advance towards Tbilisi.
An EU Parliament Resolution adopted Wednesday in Strasbourg on the occasion of Russia - Georgia conflict, outlines a set of Principle which apply elsewhere too, (particularly when EU Rapporteur for Russia and Turkey is one and same person ; Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijtanen !)
Clearly rejecting any "military solution to the conflicts", MEPs "condemn ..all those who resorted to force and violence". They denounce a "disproportionate military action", "as well as (an) unilateral decision to recognise the independence" of brekaway regions, "calling.. to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the concerned country, "and the inviolability of its borders recognised by all EU Member States". They warn that "EU must review its policy towards" a 3rd Country, "should .(it)...not comply with its commitments", and "stress that the withdrawal of.... troops from the areas ....is an essential additional step".
EU Parliament "calls for the safe and quick return of refugees, (accepted by Russian President Medvedev) accompanied by the deployment of EU observers on the ground", and "regrets ...that ..EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is not allowed to enter the ...breakaway regions". Moreover, "It's important to ensure that persons and NGOs ..engaged in defending human and civil rights can operate". "Until ...all remaining issues (are) resolved..., and notably the continuing ...Military presence", "relations with the EU ..cannot be fully normalised", MEPS warned.
As nobody likes to be accused to practice "Double Standards", this should be regarded as "Principles" applicable to any Third Country at EU's Neighborhood.. No ?
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On Economy :
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- "When Financial crisis shook US and EU's Banks, without result from the 1st (American) Paulsen plan, it was the common reply of the 1st EuroZone's Summit, involving some 1800 Billion euros, which started a positive move in the markets, soon strengthened by the follow-up of the US Paulson 2 Plan, noted Sarkozy.
- "Europe should not be only on the defensive, but, if necessary, know also how to take an offensive", he said, brushing away hesitationsto act on Economy: - "I'm for a refondation of Capitaliism, but against Speculators, who betray its values" : "Lack of Rules was profitable to speculators, Not to businessmen !" We must make sure to prevent any such crisis in future". "We, the rest of the World, cannot continue to bear the deficits of the 1st World power without saying anything !", the French President said, applauded by EU Parliament. All this needs "a New Global Governance", on which EU Parliament must debate. That's why "we proposed together with USA, several Summits from mid-November", to which G-8, enlarged to China, India a.o. countries, should participate. UNO's SG; Ban Ki Moon, the IMF, etc.
Financial crisis lowered shares' prices even for healthy companies, sometimes to 1/3 of their initial price, so that strangers might buy EU industries for only a portion of their real value, and Europeans may wake up one day with their main industries sold out to foreigners !
That's one of the reasons for which EU should debate about creating "Golden Shares" for States to jointly take Strategic participations to help European Industries until the end of the Crisis, particularly against distording competition, he suggested, pointing at USA's 35 billion $ plan for American Car Industry."We shall struggle for Europe to be able to build Airplanes, Ships, Trains, Cars, because we need a strong Industry", he concluded.
"F.ex. as we did back in 2004, when as Finance Minister, we bought Alsthom's shares for 800.000 euros, and, after restructuring, we sold them for 2 Millions : Help a company and make money is not so bad"...
As for the UK, "when Ireland announced that it would guarantee only Irish Banks, London City emptied from liquidities in 24 hours : It's the EU which helped to restore the situation, Not the UK alone !", reminded Sarkozy to nationalist British MEP Nigel Farage.
On the contrary, in a last-minute attempt for the EU to catch-up with its Institutional delay "before the European Elections" of June 2009, MEPs simply voted a call for a "set of proposals" to be made for the "Irish public opinion" at the end of the year...
- "As long as Lisbon Treaty is not ratified by all 27 EU Member States, there is an unanimous decision to stop Enlargement, reminded Wednesday in Strasbourg the French Minister for EU affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet..
Added to an indirect but clear warning that, without Lisbon Treaty, all 27 EU Member Countries may not have a Commissioner in the 2009 resuffle, MEPS in the Constitutional/Foreign affairs Committees applauded hoping that this might motivate their Irish friends..
