EU: The circumstances of the death of Slobodan Milosevic must be fully investigated, a senior member of the European Parliament said yesterday. The chairman of the conservative EPP-EDD group, Hans-Gert Poettering, told journalists he hoped the passing of the former Yugoslav president would not lead to instability in the region.
"I hope that the circumstances of the death of this criminal Milosevic will be thoroughly investigated," he said. "I also hope that this regrettable death won't lead to instability, particularly in Serbia."
He noted that there did not seem to be a strong emotional reaction to the event in Serbia.
The Belgian MEP and president of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, Annemie Neyts, said she did not think the death of Milosevic would have as much effect on public opinion as indicated when some member states were said to be having "second thoughts" about admitting more Balkan states to EU membership.
Having just returned from a visit to Kosovo, she was "more convinced than ever" that the prospect of EU membership was the best way to ensure gradually increasing stability in the region. The Balkan states should be presented with a "feasible time path" of 10 years to EU membership rather than the current "wobbling" by member states on the issue.
In a separate development, MEPs yesterday adopted a declaration against racism in football. Dutch MEP Emine Bozkurt said the declaration was now an official resolution signed by 423 members. "Racism is a crime," she said. "I call on everyone to kick racism out of football."