Mr. Fischer
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Schily
Minister of the Interior

by Fax

26 March 1999,

Re: Kosovo – Appeal for European Action for Refugees

Dear Minister Fischer, dear Minister Schily,

I am writing to you on behalf of the European Council on refugees and Exiles (ECRE), an organisation representing close to 70 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Europe concerned with refugees.

We urge the German government in its present capacity as President of the European Union, to ensure that the European Union member states do everything to make it possible for refugees from Kosovo to reach countries where they can find safety.

ECRE was extremely concerned about the temporary closure of the border by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We welcome that the border has now been reopened, but are minded that without a concerted EU effort to support the neighbouring countries many refugees will be denied protection. We therefore call on the European Union to offer support to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the other neighbouring countries, and so help ensure to keep their borders open and guarantee the reception and protection of refugees from Kosovo.

This is a matter of adhering to protection principles under the 1951 Refugee Convention but also a matter or European solidarity. Such solidarity with countries in the region should take the form of material and financial support, but also of sharing the responsibility for the reception of refugees in the countries of the European Union. We particularly call on the European Union to demonstrate solidarity with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by offering to relocate refugees to its member states.

Such action would underline Europe’s true commitment to human rights and humanitarian principles.

Yours sincerely,

Peer Baneke
General Secretary

cc: Commissioner Gradin
Commissioner van den Broek
MEP d’Ancona,
Chairperson of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs