Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou brought 14 new faces into the government yesterday, merging two ministries into what the Greek press has dubbed a 'Super Ministry', and re-establishing the Trade ministry as a separate ministry under a new minister, Nikos Akritidis.
Akis Tsohatzopoulos, secretary of the ruling party, returns to the government at the head of the new Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Ministry, the result of the merger of the ministry to the premier's office and the interior ministry.
The new government will be sworn in at noon today in the presence of President Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The changes include the transfer of the Social Security Secretariat from the Health Ministry to the Labor Ministry under a new minister, Stephanos Tzoumakas.
Key ministers, including those of the foreign, economy, finance and defense ministries, were left untouched by the reshuffle.
Outgoing ministers include Alternate Foreign Minister George Mangakis, Alternate Industry Minister Christos Rokofyllos and Agriculture Minister George Moraitis.
Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos received the transport portfolio while his undersecretary at the Press Ministry Telemahos Hytiris will take over as minister.
Justice Minister Anastasios Peponis was named to the industry, energy and technology portfolio, replacing Costas Simitis, whose resignation on Monday served as a spur to the reshuffle.
Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Vassilis Manginas called yesterday's changes to the government "not a reshuffle but a registration of balances and compromises in a PASOK in a state of advanced decay, in a PASOK in a state of dissolution." Mr. Manginas said nothing could save the government, adding that only one thing could save the country: the government quitting power immediately.
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said the timing of the reshuffle was chosen to conceal the country's "unprecedented national humiliation", referring to the agreement reached between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FY ROM) at the UN on Wednesday.
He said the new ministers were selected to cover feuding in the ruling party but the people watched and made their own choices.
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) spokesman Makis Kopsidis said "the reshuffle is unimportant. PASOK's unpopular policy will continue. There should be no illusions about this."
The Coalition of the Left and Progress spoke of a reshuffle of necessity by a problematic government on a path of failed policy. It said the demand for a radical change in policy and the shaping of new correlations of social and political progress acquired new timeliness.
Referring to the government reshuffle, General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Protopapas underlined that GSEE judged the government by its stance and policy and not by its faces. He added that he thought the transfer of the Social Security Department to the aegis of the Labor Ministry was correct.
Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister:
Apostolos (Akis) Tsohatzopoulos Alternate Minister: George Daskalakis Alternate Minister: Haralambos (Haris) Kastanidis
Defense Minister: Gerassimos Arsenis Undersecretary: Nikos Kouris Undersecretary: Emmanuel Beteniotis
Foreign Minister: Karolos Papoulias Alternate Foreign Minister: George Romeos Undersecretary: Grigoris Niotis
National Economy Minister: Yiannos Papantoniou Alternate Minister: George Anomeritis Undersecretary: Ioannis Anthopoulos
Finance Minister: Alekos Papadopoulos Undersecretary: Dimitris Georgakopoulos Undersecretary: Nikos Kyriazidis
Agriculture Minister: Theodoros Stathis Undersecretary: Alexandros Akrivakis Undersecretary: Alexandros Damianidis
Labor and Social Security Minister: Stephanos Tzoumakas Undersecretary: George Adamopoulos Undersecretary: Kosmas Sfyriou
Health and Welfare Minister: Dimitrios Kremastinos Undersecretary: Manolis Skoulakis Undersecretary: Nikos Farmakis
Justice Minister: Ioannis Pottakis
Education and Religious Affairs Minister: George Papandreou Alternate Minister: Phillipos Petsalnikos Undersecretary: Maria Arseni
Culture Minister: Athanassios (Thanos) Mikroutsikos Undersecretary: Stavros Benos Undersecretary for Sport: George Lianis
Tourism Minister: Nikos Sifounakis
Merchant Marine Minister: George Katsifaras
Public Order Minister: Sifis Valyrakis
Macedonia-Thrace Minister: Costas Triarides
Aegean Minister: Antonis Kotsakas
Environment Town Planning and Public Works Minister:
Costas Laliotis Alternate Minister: Costas Geitonas Undersecretary: Elizabeth Papazoi Undersecretary: Ioannis Tsaklidis
Industry, Energy and Technology Minister: Anastasios Peponis Undersecretary: Dinos Vrettos
Commerce Minister: Nikos Akritidis Undersecretary: Mihalis Chrysohoides
Transport and Communications Minister: Evangelos Venizelos Alternate Minister: Kimon Koulouris Undersecretary: Christos Kokkinovassilis Undersecretary: Dimitris Sarris
Press and Media Minister: Telemahos Hytiris Undersecretary: Nikos Athanassakis
Minister of State at the Prime Minister's Office: Antonis Livanis
The government said yesterday it was fully satisfied with the Greek-FYROM interim accord signed in New York on Wednesday.
Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the accord was a "historic" agreement establishing a framework for the normalization of relations between the two countries while Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said the agreement served Greek interests and gave it greater possibilities for action in the broader Balkan region.
"The Greek government is absolutely satisfied. Positions which it formulated from the outset, positions which it firmly stuck to, were accepted," Mr. Venizelos said.
The US, Cyprus, France, Britain, Russia, Germany and the Council of Europe welcomed the signing of the accord as a sign of better things to come in the search for a comprehensive peace in the Balkans.
Mr. Venizelos said that the accord was binding under international law "which is now the guarantor, rather than the good will of the other side".
Under the agreement, Mr. Venizelos said, "the other side undertakes the obligation to change its flag which bears the Star of Vergina and never again use national symbols linked to Greece's cultural and historical heritage".
He added that Skopje also undertook the obligation to change its constitution in order "to appease all Greek opposition to the constitution's preamble and articles 3 and 49."
"It also recognizes such interpretation (of the Constitution), binding under international law, which will avert all possible misunderstandings, both now and in the future. The undertaking of an international commitment concerning the content and interpretation, and consequently the legal value of certain constitutional provisions, is a much stronger commitment than the amendment of those provisions which theoretically could in the future be replaced by a subsequent amendment, by the restatement of previous formulations etc.," Mr. Venizelos said.
Turning to the name issue, Mr. Venizelos said that for the first time, Skopje recognized that the issue was an "international dispute", open to negotiation which would be discussed within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 817.
The agreement, he continued, allowed for the normalization of relations and Greece's economic presence in the region "which has many favorable repercussions".
Within 30 days, Mr. Venizelos said, Skopje will have changed its flag and "its commitment on the Constitution will have come into force" and the Greek side will have lifted its economic sanctions.
The agreement has been signed, submitted to the UN and "is effective within the scope of international law," Mr. Venizelos said, stressing that it was not a "draft agreement".
Mr. Venizelos replied to opposition criticism over the wording of the accord, saying that the names of the two countries were not referred to in the agreement "precisely because there is a difference over the name" and for reasons of "diplomatic practice".
Stressing that Greece would not back down from its position on the name, Mr. Venizelos clarified that the interim agreement would not be annulled if the two sides failed to reach agreement on the name.
"Commitments have been made," Mr. Venizelos said, adding that liaison offices would be opened in both Athens and Skopje.
Speaking to Greek reporters before departing for Athens late Wednesday night, Foreign Minister Papoulias said the agreement reached with Skopje was "a very good" one, "serving Greek interests," and giving Greece greater possibilities for action in the broader Balkan region.
Referring to the role of the United States in the conclusion of the agreement, he said its active mediation had helped Greek aims and curbed (FYROM President Kiro) Gligorov's intransigence, who had finally realized his country was being led to isolation without good relations with Greece.
He added that Greece would be "in an advantageous position" to win a second battle, when the issue of the name came up for negotiation within 30 days of the application of the 'interim' agreement. UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali was very seriously concerned with this second round of negotiations, which would be "tough", he said.
The Greek delegation will be led by Greece's permanent representative at the United Nations, ambassador Christos Zacharakis, who had successfully conducted the first round that ended in the interim agreement.
In statements upon arriving in Athens, Mr. Papoulias said it would be to Greece's benefit to establish a liaison office in Skopje, as this is provided in the accord.
He said that experts from both sides will come together in the coming 30 days to assess the best practical measures for the implementation of the agreement.
Mr. Papoulias also disclosed to the press that a group of Greek entrepreneurs were ready to invest in Skopje.
Meanwhile in Skopje, FYROM President Kiro Gligorov welcomed "the realistic behavior shown by Greece in signing the agreement."
In a televised statement, Mr. Gligorov said that "Greek-Macedonian" relations had prospects which were in the interests of the two peoples, peace and relations of good neighborliness and cooperation among all the Balkan peoples.
Time, he said, will show that this (agreement) may constitute a decisive step for the future of the Balkans.
In Washington, US President Bill Clinton expressed satisfaction at the agreement, saying that "it will contribute to the stability in the region and assist peace efforts in the Balkans."
Following the signing of the agreement late Wednesday night, President Clinton announced that the initiation of diplomatic relations between Washington and Skopje.
In Bonn, Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said the agreement between Athens and Skopje "set a brilliant example for the neighboring countries," expressing hope that "this important step will encourage the politicians in Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia to choose the road without return to peace."
Mr. Kinkel added that Skopje now needs the support of the international community "in order to face the tough economic and social situation." This was also in Greece's interest, he said, as nobody stood to gain anything if social deprivation and economic stagnation caused an explosion in the tensions between the various nationalities in FYROM, which have so far been kept under control.
In Strasbourg, Miguel Angel Martinez, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, expressed satisfaction at Greece's "political responsibility."
Later this month, the Assembly will convene to discuss Skopje's application for accession to the Council of Europe.
In France, Foreign Ministry spokesman Yves Doutriaux hailed the agreement saying that it opened the way to additional aid for Skopje.
A Russian foreign ministry press release said the accord was a convincing example of the possibility for a political solution of problems and a contribution to efforts for stabilization in the Balkans.
In London, the Foreign Office said the accord set the basis for stable relations between the two countries and will have a beneficial effect on peace efforts in the Balkans.
"London welcomes the news of progress in negotiations between Greece and FYROM. We congratulate both countries on their positive approach which allowed this agreement. We applaud, also, the efforts made by United Nations special envoy Cyrus Vance," the announcement said.
In Nicosia, the Cyprus government welcomed yesterday the accord and noted that this agreement upgrades the role of Greece in the Balkans.
Speaking before yesterday's meeting of the Council of Ministers at the presidential palace, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides described the agreement reached as an "important step forward".
The minister noted that Greece had tried very hard to find understanding on his positions and "it is natural any success by the Greek government to be greeted by us."
Asked if the accord will have positive repercussions on the Cyprus problem, Mr. Michaelides said any effective attempt by Greece to tackle some of the problems it is facing, "means that it gives the country more room to focus its attention to other issues."
"Moreover, when the issues Greece is facing in the Balkans are solved, then Greece will have infinitely more positive influence in the Balkan peninsula and thus its role is being upgraded," he added.
In Athens, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert termed the accord "unacceptable", telling reporters that the 'small package' had been agreed, "totally leaving aside" the name issue for future negotiations "which do not even have a termination date".
He predicted an "endless discussion" would begin on the question of the name "which will in the end lead nowhere because Greece has lost all the arguments with which it could pressure the Skopje government, through the UN, to realize the need for not using the name of 'Macedonia'".
Mr. Evert claimed that "Greece is abandoning the name 'Macedonia' to the Skopjans" and called on the government to make public the text of the agreement signed and its annexes, as well as any letters which had prospectively been exchanged on the matter.
He also called for Parliament to be convened next week "so that the Greek people may be informed" on the content of the accord.
Mr. Evert said that he was not aware of the details of the accord, but added that "it is so unacceptable that the term 'Greece' is not even mentioned, but 'the two sides' is used instead in order to equate our country with a state that claims the name of 'Macedonia'".
The ND leader said his party remained firm on the decision taken by the council of political leaders under then-president Constantine Karamanlis in 1992 and the necessity of discussing the "large package".
Mr. Evert criticized the government's handling of the issue, saying that "after abandoning the dialogue at the UN, our country was isolated for two years, and wandered endlessly, while the foreign policy on the Skopje issue digressed".
"After two years, the PASOK government itself returned to the UN to negotiate, only this time it left aside the most fundamental element of the dispute, which is the name," Mr. Evert added.
Former prime minister and ND honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis also criticized the government over the signing of the accord saying that "there is no assurance that the neighboring state will change its name."
Mr. Mitsotakis blamed the government and those who assisted it to assume office for developments in the issue.
"...We have granted everything that Mr. Gligorov desired, including Skopje recognition by Greece, without gaining assurances that Skopje will change its name," Mr. Mitsotakis said in a statement.
"Greece is therefore entering the last stage of negotiations, hopelessly weakened and facing the great danger that Skopje will not in the end change its name but impose the term 'Republic of Macedonia'," he added.
ND party spokesman Vassilis Manginas also criticized the government for signing the agreement, saying that Skopje was not bound to review the articles of its constitution that express irredentist designs against Greece's northern province of Macedonia.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) described the New York agreement as "piecemeal and inconclusive," adding that "it does not guarantee the actual settlement of differences..."
The Coalition of the Left and Progress said the agreement paved the way for the normalization of relations between Greece and FYROM, adding that if Greece does not press for a composite name, the name 'Macedonia' will prevail.
The Coalition further asked for the convening of a Foreign Policy Council with the participation of political leaders, as well as the Parliament to review the 1992 political leaders' decision in relation to the issue.
In Skopje yesterday, contrary to the explicit stipulation of Article 5 of the Greece-FYROM 'interim' agreement, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski claimed in statements to a television channel that "the agreement dispels all rumors and we achieve our permanent aim for the maintenance of the name, given that there will not be any negotiations for the name, nor was the issue of the name a subject of this agreement".
It may be noted that Article 5 of the interim accord explicitly stipulates that "the Parts agree to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, pursuant to the application of Security Council Resolution 845 ( 1993), with the aim of arriving at an agreement concerning the dispute referred to in Resolution 817 (1993)
Greece and FYROM exchanged letters through UN mediator Cyrus Vance in pursuit of the application of the 'interim' agreement signed in New York on Wednesday.
One letter submitted by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias refers to Article 1, paragraph 1 of the accord, and says that Greece recognizes the other party "within its internationally recognized borders, with the provisional name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, pending settlement of the difference that has arisen over the name of the State".
In a second letter, referring to Article 7, paragraph 2, Greece confirms that the symbol referred to therein "is the Sun or Star of Vergina, in all its historical forms".
In two letters, FYROM Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, confirms receipt of Mr. Papoulias' letters, while in a third, he says his government does not consider itself bound by any instrument that has not been signed on its behalf.
Finally, in a letter sent to both sides, Mr. Vance says that all the exchanged above letters will be registered with the UN Secretariat according to established procedures.
The full text of the accord is reprinted on pages 9-12 of today's Bulletin.
During a ceremony at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington yesterday on the occasion of the signing of the Greece-FYROM accord, President Bill Clinton congratulated the two countries and said their decision t o work out long-standing differences was "an enormous step forward in our attempts to find a comprehensive peace in the Balkans".
Replying to whether he hoped for a similar meeting between Greece and Turkey, the American president said: "If the problems between Greece and Turkey could be also resolved, that would lead to even greater happiness, not only in the United States but throughout the world. And I hope and pray that day will come as well".
Questioned on the US position on the issue of the name, he said: "That they have work out themselves".
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert called for early elections yesterday, saying "the country has many problems and no government and nothing can be tackled without a government".
Speaking social partner representatives in Thessaloniki, Mr. Evert said the government was "dangerous above all. Non-existent governments are the most dangerous governments when a country is in need of immediate solutions".
"Elections are the sole service they can offer to the country", he said, adding that "I fear they might disappear at some difficult moment without even having the time to resign".
Mr. Evert said there were solutions to the country's problems and that "a capable government is required... to promote them. And we are fully prepared to assume this mission and bring hope to the country once again".
"The country needs actions and first of all honorable, reliable and effective political leadership", he said. Mr. Evert appeared pessimistic over the future of the economy, saying "the trade deficit has taken on uncontrollable dimensions" and that "the worsening of competitiveness is certified by losses in all sectors".
Referring to growth, Mr. Evert said "if we start developing at a 4 per cent rate as of today and the Europeans at 2 per cent we will need 25 years to reach 80 per cent of their income. The rate of growth anticipated in government planning is kept much lower and does not lead to convergence with Europe".
Mr. Evert presented nine proposals contained in his party's economic programme anticipating an improvement in competitiveness, an increase in investments, the utilization of Community funds, the transfer of funds to the private sector, an increase in exports, tourism and shipping, support for development incentives and the capital market, restriction of state intervention and support for the training of human potential.
Earlier, Mr. Evert, participated in a seminar organized by ND on development in Macedonia and Thrace.
Former ND minister and current secretary of the party's Parliamentary Group, Stavros Dimas, criticized the government for "tragic delays in infrastructure works", adding that Greece was a mere spectator to developments in the Balkans.
Mr. Dimas also proposed the establishment of organizations to promote inter-Balkan cooperation in both the economic and political fields.
President of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece Christos Protopapas yesterday said the focus of the trade union movement was the survival of the Skaramangas Shipyards and the protection of jobs.
He made the statement in view of Monday's meeting in Brussels at which National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will present Greece's final solution to the issue of the Skaramangas Shipyards' privatization, and as ministerial meetings on the issue continued yesterday.
The European Commission has granted Greece a one-week extension to the deadline for the privatization of the Skaramangas shipyards.
The solution should fall in line with Community legislation and should be submitted together with two letters of guarantee.
In the event that a solution has not been found by Monday, or the solution is not in line with EU law, the Commission will automatically implement a July 26 decision that the shipyards, the biggest in the Mediterranean, must return 44 billion drachmas o f state subsidies and interest of approximately 38 billion drachmas.
If Greece does not comply with the measures, the Commission will refer it to the European Court.
Mr. Protopapas urged the government to accept, even at the last moment, the position of the trade unions according to which the public sector will own 51 per cent of the shares and the remaining 49 per cent will belong to the shipyard's employees. "Otherwise, reactions will be intense," he said.
Meanwhile, the president of the Skaramangas workers' union yesterday announced that the government would hold a meeting with the union's representatives in the following days to discuss the government's proposed solution.
Mr. Protopapas also expressed regret at incidents earlier in the day in which President of the House Apostolos Kaklamanis was jeered by a group of Skaramangas workers rallying outside Parliament.
In later statements, Mr. Kaklamanis said he was aware of the stressful conditions for the workers in the Skaramangas shipyards and expressed the hope that a solution to the problem will soon be found.
Minister Karolos Papoulias, representing the Party of the First Part (the "Party of the First Part") and Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, representing the Party of the Second Part (the "Party of the Second Part"), hereby DECLARE AND AGREE as follows:
INTERIM ACCORD
Recalling the principle of the inviolability of frontiers and the territorial integrity of States incorporated in the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, signed in Helsinki,
Bearing in mind the provisions of the United Nations Charter and in particular, those referring to the obligation of States to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,
Guided by the spirit and principles of democracy and fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights and dignity, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a new Europe and pertinent acts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
Considering their mutual interest in the maintenance of international peace and security, especially in their region,
Desiring to confirm the existing frontier between them as an enduring international border,
Recalling their obligation not to intervene, on any pretext or in any form, in the internal affairs of the other,
Desiring to develop their mutual relations and to lay firm foundations for a climate of peaceful relations and understanding,
Realizing that economic cooperation is an important element for the development of mutual relations on a stable and firm basis, as well as desiring to develop and promote future cooperation.
Desiring to reach certain interim agreements that will provide a basis for negotiating a permanent Accord,
Have agreed as follows:
A. FRIENDLY RELATIONS AND CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES
Article 1
1. Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, the Party of the First Part recognizes the Party of the Second Part as an independent sovereign state, under the provisional designation set forth in a letter of the Party of the First Part of the date of this Interim Accord, and the Parties shall at an early date establish diplomatic relations at an agreed level with the ultimate goal of relations at ambassadorial level.
2. The Party of the First Part shall as promptly as possible establish a liaison office in Skopje, the capital of the Party of the Second Part, and the Party of the Second Part shall as promptly as possible establish a liaison office in Athens, the capital of the Party of the First Part.
Article 2
The Parties hereby confirm their common existing frontier as an enduring and inviolable international border.
Article 3
Each Party undertakes to respect the sovereignty, the territorial integrity and the political independence of the other Party. Neither Party shall support the action of a third party directed against the sovereignty, the territorial integrity or the political independence of the other Party.
Article 4
The Parties shall refrain, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, from the threat or use of force, including the threat or use of force designed to violate their existing frontier, and they agree that neither of them will assert or support claims to any part of the territory of the other Party or claims for a change of their existing frontier.
Article 5
1. The Parties agree to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations pursuant to Security Council resolution 845 (1993) with a view to reaching agreement on the difference described in that resolution and in Security Council resolution 817 (1993).
2. Recognizing the difference between them with respect to the name of the Party of the Second Part, each Party reserves all of its rights consistent with the specific obligations undertaken in this Interim Accord. The Parties shall cooperate with a view to facilitating their mutual relations notwithstanding their respective positions as to the name of the Party of the Second Part. In this context, the Parties shall take practical measures, including dealing with the matter of documents, to carry out nor mal trade and commerce between them in a manner consistent with their respective positions in regard to the name of the Party to the Second Part. The Parties shall take practical measures so that the difference about the name of the Party to the Second Part will not obstruct or interfere with normal trade and commerce between the Party of the Second Part and third parties.
Article 6
1. The Party of the Second Part hereby solemnly declares that nothing in its Constitution, and in particular in the Preamble thereto or in Article 3 of the Constitution, can or should be interpreted as constituting or will ever constitute the basis of any claim by the Party of the Second Part or any territory not within its existing borders.
2. The Party of the Second Part hereby solemnly declares that nothing in its Constitution, and in particular in Article 49 as amended, can or should be interpreted as constituting or will ever constitute the basis for the Party of the Second Part to interfere in the internal affairs of another State in order to protect the status and rights of any persons in other States who are not citizens of the Party to the Second Part.
3. The Party of the Second Part furthermore solemnly declares that the interpretations given in paragraph 1 and 2 of this Article will not be superseded by any other interpretation of its Constitution.
Article 7
1. Each Party shall promptly take effective measures to prohibit hostile activities or propaganda by State-controlled agencies and to discourage acts by private entities likely to incite violence, hatred or hostility against each other.
2. Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, the Party of the Second Part shall cease to use in any way the symbol in all its forms displayed on its national flag prior to such entry into force.
3. If either Party believes one or more symbols constituting part of its historic or cultural patrimony is being used by the other Party, it shall bring such alleged use to the attention of the other Party, and the other Party shall take appropriate corrective action or indicate why it does not consider it necessary to do so.
Article 8
1. The Parties shall refrain from imposing any impediment to the movement of people or goods between their territories or through the territory of either Party to the territory of the other. Both Parties shall cooperate to facilitate such movements in accordance with international law and custom.
2. The Parties agree that the European Union and the United States may be requested to use their good offices with respect to developing practical measures referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 5 so as to assist the Parties in the implementation of Article 8.
B. HUMAN AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
Article 9
1. In the conduct of their affairs the Parties shall be guided by the spirit and principles of democracy, fundamental freedoms, respect for human rights and dignity, and the rule of law, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Helsinki Final Act, the document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Charter of Paris for a New Europe.
2. No provision of the instruments listed in paragraph 1 above shall be interpreted to give any right to take any action contrary to the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter, or of the Helsinki Final Act, including the principle of the territorial integrity of States.
Article 10
Convinced that the development of human relations is necessary for improving understanding and good-neighborliness of their two peoples, the Parties shall encourage contacts at all appropriate levels and shall not discourage meetings between their citizens in accordance with international law and custom.
C. INTERNATIONAL, MULTILATERAL AND REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Article 11
1. Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, The Party of the First Part agrees not to object to the application by or the membership of the Party of the Second Part in international, multilateral and regional organizations and institutions of which t he Party of the First Part is a member; however, the Party of the First Part reserves the right to object to any membership referred to above if and to the extent of the Party of the Second Part is to be referred to in such organization or institution differently than in paragraph 2 of the United Nations Security Council resolution 817 (1993).
2. The Parties agree that the ongoing economic development of the Party of the Second Part should be supported through international cooperation, as far as possible by a close relationship of the Party of the Second Part with the European Economic Area and the European Union.
D. TREATY RELATIONS
Article 12
1. Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, the Parties shall in their relations be directed by the provisions of the following bilateral agreements that had been concluded between the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Party of the First Part on 18 June 1959:
(a) The convention concerning mutual legal relations, (b) The agreement concerning the reciprocal recognition and the enforcement of judicial decisions, and
(c) The agreement concerning hydro-economic questions.
The Parties shall promptly consult with a view to entering into new agreements substantially similar to those referred to above.
2. The Parties shall consult with each other in order to identify other agreements concluded between the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Party of the First Part that will be deemed suitable for application in their mutual relations.
3. The Parties may conclude additional bilateral agreements in areas of mutual interest.
Article 13
Having regard to the fact that the Party of the Second Part is a land-locked State, the Parties shall be guided by the applicable provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as far as practicable both in practice and when concluding agreements referred to in Article 12.
Article 14
1. The Parties shall encourage the development of friendly and good-neighborly relations between them and shall reinforce their economic cooperation in all sectors, including that of water resources management. In particular they shall promote, on a reciprocal basis, road, rail, maritime and air transport and communication links, using the best available technologies, and facilitate the transit of their goods between them and through their territories and ports. The Parties shall observe international rules and regulations with respect to transit, telecommunications, signs and codes.
2. To this end the Parties agree to enter forthwith into negotiations aimed at promptly implementing agreements of cooperation in the aforementioned areas, taking into account the obligations of the Party of the First Part deriving from its membership in the European Union and from other international instruments. Such agreements shall relate to visas, work permits, "green card" insurance, air space transit and economic cooperation.
E. ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL RELATIONS
Article 15
1. The Parties shall strengthen their economic relations in all fields.
2. The Parties shall in particular support development and cooperation in the field of capital investments, as well as industrial cooperation between enterprises. Special attention shall be paid to cooperation between small and medium-size companies and enterprises.
Article 16
1. The Parties shall develop and improve scientific and technical cooperation as well as cooperation in the field of education.
2. The Parties shall intensify their exchanges of information and of scientific and technical documentation, and shall strive to improve mutual access to scientific and research institutions, archives, libraries and similar institutions.
3. The Parties shall support initiatives by scientific institutions and by individuals aimed at improving cooperation in the sciences.
Article 17
1. The Parties shall take great care to avoid dangers to the environment and to preserve natural living conditions in the lakes and rivers shared by the two Parties.
2. The Parties shall cooperate in eliminating all forms of pollution in border areas.
3. The Parties shall strive to develop and harmonize strategies and programs for regional and international cooperation for protecting the environment.
Article 18
The Parties shall cooperate in alleviating the consequences of disasters.
Article 19
1. The Parties shall cooperate in improving and promoting business and tourist travel.
2. Consistent with the obligations of the Party of the First Part arising from its membership in the European Union and from relevant instruments of the Union, the Parties shall make joint efforts to improve and accelerate customs and border formalities, including simplification in the issuance of visas to each other's citizens, taking into account Article 5, paragraph 2, of this Interim Accord.
3. The Parties shall endeavor to improve and modernize existing border crossings as required by the flow of traffic, and construct new border crossings as necessary.
Article 20
The Parties shall cooperate in the fight against organized crime, terrorism, economic crimes, narcotics crimes, illegal trade in cultural property, offenses against civil air transport and counterfeiting.
F. FINAL CLAUSES
Article 21
1. The Parties shall settle any disputes exclusively by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
2. Any difference or dispute that arises between the Parties concerning the interpretation or implementation of this Interim Accord may be submitted by either of them to the International Court of Justice, except for the differences referred to in Article 5, paragraph 1.
Article 22
This Interim Accord is not directed against any other State or entity and it does not infringe on the rights and duties resulting from bilateral and multilateral agreements already in force that the Parties have concluded with other States or international organizations.
Article 23
1. This Interim Accord shall enter into force and become effective on the thirtieth day following the date on which it is signed by the representatives of the Parties as set forth below.
2. This Interim Accord shall remain in force until superseded by a definitive agreement, provided that after seven years either Party may withdraw from this Interim Accord by a written notice, which shall take effect 12 months after its delivery to the other Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have, through their authorized representatives, signed three copies of this Interim Accord in the English language which shall be registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations. Within two months of the date of signature, the United Nations is to prepare, in consultation with the Parties, translations into the language of the Party of the First Part and the language of the Party of the Second Part, which shall constitute part of the registration of this Accord.
Representative of the Representative of the Party of the First Part Party of the Second Part
WITNESSED, in accordance with Resolution 845 (1993) of the Security Council, by:
Cyrus Vance Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations
DONE at New York on the 12th day of September 1995