At the 639th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies from 7 to 9 September 1998, the Committee of Ministers replied to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1368 (1998) on the latest developments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the situation in Kosovo and Recommendation 1376 (1998) on the crisis in Kosovo and the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, recalling that the situation in Kosovo continued to figure very prominently on their agenda and detailing the efforts that were being undertaken in particular following the four-point plan by the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers.
With regards to point 6 of Recommendation 1384 of the Parliamentary Assembly asking the Committee of Ministers to organise an international conference on the future status of Kosovo, the Committee of Ministers favours a more active participation of the Council of Europe in the search for a solution for Kosovo. It welcomes, in particular, the work undertaken by the
Venice Commission, in co-operation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, in drafting an “outline of main elements” for an agreement on Kosovo which is known to the relevant international for a dealing with the issue.
The holding of an international conference on the future status of Kosovo could be discussed at a later stage, as appropriate, as a means of promoting conflict-resolution in the region, which in turn would have positive effects in south-east Europe as a whole. In the context of such a conference, the Council of Europe should play an enhanced role. Its organisation would need to be carried out in close co-operation with the relevant international bodies, interested parties and countries of the region, taking account of the latest developments.
As far as the requests (point 7.i of Recommendation 1385) addressed to the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are concerned, work is in progress on a list drawn up by the Secretariat upon instructions from the Committee of Ministers containing measures to be adopted by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia concerning the situation in the country and in Kosovo in particular, in the light of the principles of the Council of Europe and taking into consideration the relevant recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly and of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.
Concerning the guarantee of the safety and humanitarian needs of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons, the Committee of Ministers will communicate to its member states the recommendations contained in points 7.iv and 7.v.
As far as the appeals contained in points 7.ii and 7.iii of Recommendation 1385 (1998) are concerned, the Committee of Ministers calls on the parties to the conflict to ensure that the work of the humanitarian organisations can be carried out without obstacles and that the safety and protection of returnees are guaranteed.