Aid is agreed for former Yugoslavia

EU foreign ministers yesterday committed the European Union to supporting a programme of "regional reconstruction in the former Yugoslavia.

The ministers made clear that new agreements reached between the EU and individual countries in the region would be carefully co ordinated and framed to encourage co operation between the formerly warring states.

The ministers also agreed to maintain the EU embargo on arms, munitions, and military equipment for former Yugoslavia for the duration of the international peacekeeping operation.

Over lunch, the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, briefed colleagues on the situation in Northern Ireland and thanked the Commission President, Mr Jacques Santer, for his strong support for the continuation of the EU's aid package.

The meeting gave new political impetus to the drive to ensure that a pledging conference for former Yugoslavia happens in April.

Mr Spring said the priority was also to ensure that the full 1,700 contingent of international police is deployed as soon as possible. Ireland is due to send 30 gardai and the force is to be commanded by an Irish chief commissioner.

The ministers heard with regret of the resignation of the EU administrator of Mostar, Mr Hans Koschnik.

Following a lengthy debate on the crisis between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean, the ministers' statement said that the issue was one not only of concern to Greece but also to the EU. It called on Turkey to resolve its difficulties with Greece through the International Court of Justice.

The formulation was taken by Greek sources as a lukewarm expression of solidarity which went further than the ministers originally intended. It was not sufficient, however, to get the Greek Government to lift its veto on a £300 million aid package for Turkey linked to the customs union agreement sealed last June.