G8 STATEMENT ON REGIONAL ISSUES

Genova, July 21 2001

G8 Foreign Ministers met in Roma on 18-19 July. Their Conclusions, which have already been made public, receive our full support.

They have brought to our attention the situation in the Middle East, Africa, FYROM and the Korean Peninsula.

On the Middle East we have issued a separate Statement. On Africa we will address the issue separately. On FYROM and the Korean Peninsula we have agreed on the following conclusions:

FYROM / FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

1. We regard peace and stability in FYROM as a crucial objective. We strongly urge all parties in FYROM to display maximum responsibility in order to contribute to the rapid success of the ongoing political dialogue. We support the FYROM government and its commitment to preserve the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the country. We condemn any use of violence in pursuit of political aims. We welcome the parties' commitment to a cessation of hostilities and invite them to respect it rigorously and indefinitely. We call on all armed groups to disarm and disband voluntarily. Only peaceful political solutions can assure a democratic and truly multi-ethnic future for all citizens of FYROM. We encourage the adoption and implementation of those constitutional and legislative measures in FYROM that ensure the participation of all citizens in the political life of the country and the highest respect for the identity and rights of all communities according to the principles of non-discrimination and equal treatment. The efforts of the representatives of the international community in FYROM to facilitate the political dialogue among the parties are necessary and should continue. We support the idea of convening a donors conference following the establishment of a durable peace and a successful conclusion of a political agreement between the parties.

KOREAN PENINSULA

2. Efforts to reduce tension and establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula should be encouraged. We reiterate our support for the ROK's policy of engagement and the continuation of the reconciliation process between the ROK and the DPRK started last year.
   
   We look forward to an early Second Inter-Korean Summit and the resumption of ministerial contacts.
3. We reaffirm our support for the implementation of the Agreed Framework, including KEDO. We expect the DPRK to implement its announced moratorium on missile launches and a constructive response to international concerns over security, non-proliferation, humanitarian and human rights issues that is essential to the reduction of tensions in the region and to further integration of the DPRK into the international community.

Source: Italia, Ministero degli Affari Esteri

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