Kosovo: exceptional Community financial assistance

The committee adopted a report (under the urgent procedure) by Elmar BROK (EPP/ED, D) seeking to release exceptional Community financial assistance for Kosovo. The report said that the provision of external budgetary support, fairly shared among donors, was essential to help cover the financing needs of UNMIK. It authorised the provision of exceptional financial assistance not exceeding EUR 35m, subject to compliance with the commitments given by other donors. It stipulated that the funds in question could only be made available to UNMIK or the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and could under no circumstances benefit the self-appointed Kosovo "government", which was not recognised by the international community. Mr BROK sharply criticised the Council, which, by dragging out the adoption of a legal basis over two months, had forced Parliament to use the urgent procedure. He said the people of Kosovo should not suffer as a result of the Council's inertia, and welcomed the fact that Parliament was demonstrating its ability to take swift action.