Montenegro accord ‘too vague’

Date: 23/05/02

THE accord on relations between Serbia and Montenegro brokered by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is 'too vague', according to a conflict-prevention think-tank.

In a new analysis of the 14 March agreement, the International Crisis Group (ICG) argues that Solana's approach to the negotiations was flawed as the 'EU clearly prescribed what the outcome of talks should be.'

The ICG's preferred result was that the last two federal units in the old Yugoslavia should be reintegrated, while Solana had warned that 'further fragmentation' could damage moves to bring the Balkans and the EU closer.

The agreement that emerged after lengthy discussions fulfilled the EU's goals of preventing a referendum on Montenegrin independence but 'left many questions open as to how the new union would work in practice,' says the ICG paper.

Under the accord, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is replaced by a new union called Serbia and Montenegro. It will have a common parliament, president and army.

However, there is 'considerable ambiguity' in the economic field, states the ICG, with the document skipping over important details such as what currency the two states should use.

Solana's spokeswoman Cristina Gallach said the 14 March agreement was designed to encourage further dialogue between Belgrade and Podgorica.

The precise details on how a single market between the states can evolve and what constitutional arrangements will apply to them have to be worked out, she added, and EU officials are 'working very hard' to encourage this process.

'The 14 March agreement was a framework agreement,' she added. 'By definition, it could not be precise down to the very last point and comma.'

The accord on relations between Serbia and Montenegro brokered by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in March 2002 is 'too vague', according to the International Crisis Group (ICG).