General Assembly Session 55 meeting 48

The President

I should like to invite the General Assembly to consider the positive recommendation by the Security Council on the application for admission to membership in the United Nations of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The Security Council has recommended the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to membership in the United Nations, as stated in document A/55/535. In this connection, a draft resolution has been submitted, in document A/55/L.23.

I should now like to consult the Assembly with a view to considering immediately draft resolution A/55/L.23. In this connection, since document A/55/L.23 has only been circulated this morning, it would be necessary to waive the relevant provision of rule 78 of the rules of procedure, which reads as follows:

"As a general rule, no proposal shall be discussed or put to the vote at any meeting of the General Assembly unless copies of it have been circulated to all delegations not later than the day preceding the meeting."

Unless I hear any objection, I shall take it that the General Assembly agrees to consider draft resolution A/55/L.23.

The President

I give the floor to the representative of France to introduce draft resolution A/55/L.23.

Mr. Levitte (France)

On behalf of the European Union and the Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union -- Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia -- and Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, as well as the European Free Trade Association countries members of the European Economic Area -- Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway -- which align themselves with this declaration, and on behalf of all the 70 sponsors, I have the honour to introduce the draft resolution proposing the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations.

On 24 September 2000, the Yugoslav people chose democracy. Their choice, made in especially difficult circumstances, earned them the international community's unanimous admiration. That choice will have positive effects for the entire region. In seeking the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations, President Kostunica confirmed his resolve to break with the dead-end policy in which the Milosevic regime had enmeshed itself. He confirmed his country's complete adherence to the principles and values of our Charter.

President Kostunica is making here today the steps we all expected. A hiatus of eight years is about to end. With legitimate pride, the Yugoslav people will take its rightful place in the concert of nations. This evening, the first words of our Charter, "We the peoples of the United Nations", will have even greater meaning. Tonight also means an important step towards reconciliation, stability and peace in a region that has been marked by so many trials.

The countries of the European Union have been resolutely involved in today's historic event. They made that commitment because President Kostunica and the Yugoslav people took every risk so that democracy and respect for law could triumph and because the Yugoslav people, in bringing our shared values to life, has cleared the way to its family -- the European Union.

By adopting this draft resolution by consensus, the General Assembly would be sending a unanimous message of friendship and hope to the Yugoslav people and its new leaders. It would be sending a brotherly greeting and the warmest wishes for complete success from all the States in the Assembly.

To the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia we say welcome to the United Nations.

The President

Before proceeding to take action on the draft resolution, I should like to announce that since its publication, the following countries have become sponsors of draft resolution A/55/L.23: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guinea, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mauritius, Monaco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Seychelles, the Sudan, Togo, Turkey, Uruguay and Yemen.

May I take it that the General Assembly accepts the recommendation of the Security Council and adopts draft resolution A/55/L.23 by acclamation?

The President

I therefore declare the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia admitted to membership in the United Nations.

I request the Chief of Protocol to escort the delegation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to its place in the General Assembly Hall.

The President

It is a great pleasure on this historic occasion to welcome, on behalf of the General Assembly, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a Member of the United Nations.

At the Millennium Summit we reaffirmed our commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter. The admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the family of nations is of great significance, as it strengthens the universality of the United Nations and thus enhances its legitimacy and effectiveness.

Equally, I am confident that it strengthens the efforts by the international community to bring stability to South-East Europe, efforts in which the United Nations plays the leading role in many ways.

The path leading to this moment has been long and troublesome. But today we should look into the future and welcome the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a promising new beginning. Today also signals the strength of the United Nations itself and its decisions.

Less than a month ago, the whole world congratulated the newly elected President Kostunica and the people of his country on their success in ensuring a peaceful victory for democracy. We all held in high regard the people whose democratically expressed will prevailed over many obstacles. Their voices have been heard around the world, and the movement towards democracy has gained new strength.

Moreover, this change gave realistic hope for the solution of the remaining problems in the region of South-East Europe based on the principles of peace, democracy, rule of law and human rights.

The admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations signifies a new era in cooperation between the new Member State and the other Members of the United Nations, including its neighbours and other successor States of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The resolutions of the General Assembly on the strengthening of cooperation in the region of South-East Europe will gain additional momentum. This will also give new vigour to a number of regional initiatives. Here we welcome the recent admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe. We can also envisage a new era in the fulfilment of many other goals of the United Nations Charter, including respect for human rights and this will contribute to the strengthening of regional stability and international peace and security.

The United Nations and its Member States should be prepared to strengthen their support to the region and to the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in addressing the many remaining problems that need to be solved.

Today, we must look to the future, while at the same time remembering that freedom carries with it responsibilities, including those relating to the pursuit of justice. Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia is of paramount importance for all the countries concerned, including the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Finally, I wish the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia peace, prosperity and every success for the future.

I call on the representative of the United States of America, the host country.

Mr. Holbrooke (United States)

As you said a moment ago, Mr. President, this is indeed an historic day for the United Nations and for the Balkans, for all Europeans and, indeed, for all of the world. We welcome Yugoslavia as the newest Member. We welcome Professor Svilanovic as he takes his seat in this great Hall and leads his nation into the United Nations as a full democracy committed to the rule of law. Yugoslavia has accepted the obligations of membership laid out in the United Nations Charter. It has entered the United Nations family on an equal basis with the other Republics of the former socialist Republic of Yugoslavia. An eight-year quarrel in this great institution is over. What was this quarrel about? It is gone without residue or a trace, as is the flag that has flown so wrongly over First Avenue for the last eight years.

We congratulate President Kostunica on his leadership in bringing peaceful and democratic change to Yugoslavia. We congratulate his colleagues in the brave democracy movement that brought the will of the people to power in Belgrade. When I met with President Kostunica last week in Skopje, I was deeply moved by his historic accomplishment and the bravery he and his supporters, including Professor Svilanovic, exhibited. We applaud him also for his public commitment to United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) concerning Kosovo and to the full implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords. Today, a sterile debate comes to an end. The flag of a nation that long ago ceased to exist will no longer fly at United Nations Headquarters here and elsewhere in the world.

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's admission to the United Nations is an historic moment. It opens up possibilities for the future for Yugoslavia, for the region, for all of Europe. When I travelled to the Balkans last week, I was struck by how often the conversation drifted back to events in the past, particularly 1912. It seemed no one wanted to speak yet about the earthquake of September 2000. But, my friends, this is a new century and President Kostunica's leadership creates an opportunity to look to the future, a future denied to the brave people of Yugoslavia for so long. Of course, there are still vestiges of the past, which Yugoslavia will want to address. Many political prisoners have been imprisoned by the former regime, including nearly 1,000 Kosovo Albanians still being held. All of these prisoners should be released and all of the missing on both sides should be accounted for. As part of its pledge to respect its obligations under the Charter, I hope that Yugoslavia will understand that it should cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and I was encouraged greatly on this issue by my talks with President Kostunica.

We all know that talks between Serbia and Montenegro are vitally important and are at a delicate stage. Both sides have expressed their disapproval of the illegal constitutional changes made by the previous regime in July this year. We welcome this and we welcome the fact that preliminary talks under the rule of law and in a spirit of conciliation have begun. I can say on behalf of my Government, and I am sure on behalf of everyone here, that the international community will accept any decision that is reached mutually and in accordance with democratic procedures.

In closing, let me reiterate on this happy and, as the President of the General Assembly has said, historic day, that my country is firmly committed to working with Yugoslavia and the United Nations, in the spirit of the historic friendship between us and between Americans and the Serbian people of many decades, to address the problems remaining in the Balkans and the global challenge of the future. On a personal note, this is a day that means a great deal to me and my colleagues in the United States Government, and we are proud to join the rest of the world community in welcoming Yugoslavia to its rightful place in the world Organization.

The President

I call on the representative of Mauritania, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States.

Mr. Ould Deddach (Mauritania)

Before I make my statement, I wish, on behalf of African delegations, to extend our condolences to the sister delegations of Angola and Singapore in connection with the tragic plane accidents that claimed so many lives, and ask them to convey our condolences to the families of the victims.

I wish to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your accession to the presidency of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly. Your personal qualities and experience will ensure full success in our work. I also wish to pay a tribute and congratulate the famous son of Africa, your predecessor Theo-Ben Gurirab, for his excellent work carried out during the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly.

In my capacity as Chairman of the African Group, I wish to welcome the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its admission today to the United Nations. However, all praise should particularly go to the great people of Yugoslavia, who have found once again the path of democracy and, we hope, peace. We extend our full friendship and cooperation to them, on behalf of the people of Africa. As for the Yugoslav delegation to the United Nations, whom we welcome once again and wish success, I wish to assure it that African delegations are open to contacts aimed at establishing continuous cooperation with Yugoslavia in order to realize the noble objectives of our Organization.

Now that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will fully enjoy its status as a Member of the United Nations, we, as the African Group, hope that the Yugoslav democratic authorities will carefully uphold the obligations incumbent on them under the Charter of the United Nations by cooperating effectively with the international community to establish a climate of peace, cooperation and, we hope, prosperity in the Balkans, which it so greatly needs.

The President

I call on the representative of Kyrgyzstan, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Asian States.

Ms. Ibraimova (Kyrgyzstan)

It is a great honour and privilege for me, acting in my capacity as the Chairman of the Asian Group for the month of November 2000, to congratulate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its admission to the United Nations. We, the members of the Asian Group, would like to extend it our warmest welcome and express our support for the efforts of the new Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to rebuild the country and normalize relations with the world. We welcome the commitment of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Vojislav Kostunica, to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to fulfil all the obligations contained therein.

On behalf of the Member States of the Asian Group, I would like to express our best wishes to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on this significant event, and to wish the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia peace, prosperity, happiness and every success for the future. The Member States of the Asian Group look forward to working closely with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in strengthening international peace and security and pursuing the goals and objectives enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

The President

I give the floor to the representative of Slovenia, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States.

Mr. Petri (Slovenia)

On behalf of the Group of Eastern European States and my own country, Slovenia, I have the honour and pleasure to congratulate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its admission today to membership of the United Nations. Each new Member of the Organization strengthens the universality of the United Nations, its legitimacy and its validity in today's world. We note with particular pleasure the presence of the Special Envoy of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, who has arrived to witness this historic event for his country -- but also for us.

We would like to express our deep respect for President Kostunica personally and the democratic coalition for their commitment to political and social change in their country, their commitment to the rule of law and democratic values and their determination and courage, which brought about the democratic changes in their country.

Nobody knows better about the challenges they have to confront in the immediate future than the new democratic authorities in Belgrade. The international community should do its utmost to help the new leadership of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to cope with the catastrophic state of affairs they inherited and to strengthen the country's democratic institutions. The country's humanitarian needs should be addressed urgently, and programmes for the recovery and revitalization of the economy should be speedily established. The United Nations and its Member States should make an important contribution to the efforts of the new leadership in that regard.

We note with great satisfaction the solemn commitment of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to fulfil all the obligations contained therein. This promises to be the beginning of a new relationship between the United Nations and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for the benefit of the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, for the benefit of our Organization, and for the benefit of the peoples of the world at large. It also represents an important step towards normalization of relations in the region of south-eastern Europe. It anticipates the promise of a speedy solution of all the remaining issues and the strengthening of relations of cooperation and good-neighbourliness, with the aim of providing a better future for all the peoples of the region.

The members of the Group of Eastern European States, to which the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia geographically belongs, want to extend to it our warm welcome to the Organization and to the Group. We look forward to working closely with the representatives of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in pursuing the goals and objectives of the United Nations Charter.

The President

I give the floor to the representative of Brazil, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Mr. Baena Soares (Brazil)

It is a great honour for me to speak on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States to congratulate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its admission as a member of the United Nations. The resolution just adopted crowns a process of remarkable democratic changes experienced by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and represents a landmark occasion for its people and for the history of the Organization.

The Group of Latin American and Caribbean States notes with satisfaction Yugoslavia's solemn commitment to accept the obligations contained in the Charter of the United Nations and to fulfil them. Our Group looks forward to cooperating with the delegation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We are sure that the participation of the Yugoslav delegation in the United Nations will be of benefit not only to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, but also to the efforts of all Member States to advance the purposes and principles of the Charter, in particular the equality of Member States and the promotion of peace, justice, human rights and prosperity.

The President

I give the floor to the representative of Germany, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and other States.

Mr. Schumacher (Germany)

On behalf of the Group of Western European and other States, I would like to congratulate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its admission to the United Nations. The Group is delighted to see the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia finally take its place within the family of nations, and warmly welcomes it.

We commend President Kostunica for having acted so swiftly to end the isolation imposed on the country by his predecessor, and we note with great satisfaction his assurances that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will act in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and comply with all its international obligations.

Our Organization is meant to be universal. Today universality has been brought an important step closer towards being fully accomplished. We wish the new Member every success, and we look forward to fruitfully cooperating with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for the benefit of peace and stability in Europe and the world.

The President

I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa, who will speak on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Mr. Kumalo (South Africa)

On behalf of the members of the Non-Aligned Movement, we welcome the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a Member of the United Nations. We extend our support to the efforts of the people of Yugoslavia and their new Government as they rebuild their country and normalize relations with their neighbours and with the rest of the world. The application by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for membership of the United Nations and its solemn commitment to accept and fulfil the obligations set out in its Charter constitute a most welcome development.

We are grateful that the principle of equality among the successor States to the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been accepted by all the parties. We trust that this, along with the democratic changes taking place in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and with similar developments in the rest of the region, is a signal that at long last the people of the Balkans are ready to turn their collective attention to the challenges of reconstruction, reconciliation and sustainable peace and development.

For many years the members of the Non-Aligned Movement have been deeply distressed by the painful dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, a founding member of our movement, and by the ensuing turmoil and division among its former republics. For the people of the former Yugoslavia, the past decade has been characterized by conflict and unimaginable horror. The wider region has in turn suffered from the effects of socio-economic instability, destruction and lost opportunities.

We hope that today, in stark contrast to the past and despite the many difficult challenges remaining, the Balkans now stand at the crossroads of peace and stability. This is an opportunity that we hope will not be lost again.

The President

I call on the representative of the Russian Federation.

Mr. Ordzhonikidze (Russia)

The Russian delegation warmly congratulates the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its admission to membership of the United Nations. We welcome the solemn commitment entered into by Yugoslavia, reflected in the letter from President Kostunica, that it will uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter and fulfil all obligations set out therein.

It is important that the General Assembly is taking this decision today, on the basis of the application from the democratically elected leadership of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and on the basis of the will of the Yugoslav people. We welcome democratic Yugoslavia as a full-fledged member of the world community. It is symbolic that this should be taking place at the Millennium Assembly, during which representatives of all States at the highest level have confirmed the crucial importance of the United Nations in the world affairs of the twenty-first century.

We are convinced that Yugoslavia's membership of the United Nations is important not only for Yugoslavia itself but also for the universality and viability of the Organization as a whole. Active and full participation by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in United Nations activities will certainly enable us to make more effective use of the potential of the United Nations to promote the establishment of peace, harmony, mutual trust, stability and good-neighbourliness in South-East Europe, on the basis of generally recognized norms and principles of international law.

In Russia's view, one important factor in stabilizing the situation in the Balkans is the full and unwavering implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). For our part, we shall cooperate closely with Yugoslavia in the United Nations and in other international organizations and multilateral forums to consolidate general peace and security.

Once again: we sincerely congratulate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The President

I call on the representative of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Mr. Calovski (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

My delegation has the honour to address the Assembly in its capacity as Chairman of the South-East European Cooperation Process, whose members are Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Turkey, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Macedonia, as well as on behalf of the Republic of Macedonia itself.

I congratulate His Excellency Mr. Goran Svilanovic, Special Envoy of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, His Excellency Mr. Vojislav Kostunica, and his delegation on the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to membership of the United Nations, and I wish them success as a Member of the Organization.

The Republic of Macedonia and the South-East European Cooperation Process welcome the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to membership of the United Nations. This event is of special importance. It signals a new democratic period for our region and for future relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It also constitutes an important development towards the integration of our entire region into developed Europe.

The membership of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the United Nations will have a positive influence on the speedy resolution of the succession of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on the basis of the equality of all five successor States and on the resolution of the demarcation of the borderline between our two countries.

Yesterday, on a proposal by the Republic of Macedonia, the First Committee adopted a draft resolution (A/C.1/55/L.47/Rev.1) by which the General Assembly would for the first time welcome the democratic changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and their positive effects on the peace, stability and development of South-Eastern Europe. The same was done at a meeting of the leaders of South-East European countries held in the capital of my country, Skopje, on 25 October 2000, which was attended by President Kostunica.

With that in mind, and on this special and historic occasion, we wish the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia all the best for successful participation in the work of the Organization.

The President

I call on the representative of Albania.

Mr. Nesho (Albania)

I should like to welcome the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations. The Serbian people and the new democratic leadership have expressed the will to join the family of the United Nations and to respect the basic principles of the United Nations Charter.

This admission is the result of understanding and accepting the new historic realities in the Balkans on the part of the democratic leadership in Serbia, which includes recognizing the right of the people to freedom and self-determination, creating a free, democratic society that respects human rights and dismantling a nationalistic policy that caused the Balkans so much bloodshed and suffering for more than 10 years.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank, in particular, the international community, the United Nations and the regional and international organizations, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), for their great and excellent contribution to South-Eastern Europe in maintaining peace and stability in the region and integrating the troubled Balkans into a united Europe.

We share the view that this membership is an expression of the confidence of the international community in the Serbian people and of its outstanding support for them through the provision of unconditional assistance to enable them to share in the prosperity of the European countries and create conditions for their integration with the other Balkan countries, based on a common philosophy and respect for the principles of the modern world.

Albania believes that the new spirit of cooperation among nations, clearly expressed at the Millennium Summit, will be supported by all the Balkan countries, including the newly admitted Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This will create conditions for solid cooperation through the Stability Pact, enhance peace in the region, overcome past divisions and old hostilities among the Balkan nations and encourage them to look forward to their future.

We hope that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its new leadership will be able to move away from the dictatorial legacy of the Milosevic regime, release the Kosovar political prisoners as a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation, work for peace and stability in South-Eastern Europe and respect the universal right of the people to self-government and self-determination. Albania hopes that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will fully cooperate with the international community to respect Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and accept the new reality in Kosovo.

The President

I call on the representative of Croatia.

Mr. imonovi (Croatia)

There are turning points in the history of countries and regions, after which nothing remains the same. In the hope that President Kostunica's application for membership in the United Nations reflects such a turning point for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and for the whole of South-East Europe, we welcome the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations as its newest Member.

We congratulate the head of the delegation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Svilanovic. By applying to the United Nations, just as the other four successor States did previously, the new authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have confirmed that they accept the principle of the equality of all the States that emerged after the dissolution of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

This step is a good start for the new authorities, and is cause for optimism that they will depart from other failed policies of the Milosevic regime by respecting the borders and territorial integrity of neighbouring States, protecting human and minority rights, consistent with international standards, and cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, as well as by respecting the legal equality of the five successor States in negotiations on all succession issues. By doing so, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will make a valuable contribution to good-neighbourly relations, peace and lasting stability in South-East Europe.

Today, people in Croatia are observing All Saints' Day; it is a time for remembering loved ones who have died. Nobody can bring back the victims of the hostilities in South-East Europe. However, it is our legal, political and moral duty to cooperate in prosecuting war crimes, resolving the issue of missing persons and preventing a repetition of the tragedy. It is by accepting responsibility for the events of the past that we can lay sound foundations for the future. There are prospects for a brighter future in South-East Europe -- a future of political stability and democratic and economic development. By accepting the principle of equality, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has opted to cooperate with its neighbours in order to achieve these noble ends. In this spirit, Croatia joined in sponsoring this resolution and looks forward to future cooperation with the new authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The President

I call on the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr. Sacirbey (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

We would like to join all the other speakers in welcoming the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the family of the United Nations. Much has already been said about the new responsibilities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in joining this institution and about the goodwill that has been expressed today. With the reconfirmation of these responsibilities and the resurgent feelings of goodwill also come new opportunities. The greater our commitment to our mutual responsibilities, the closer and more realizable the opportunities will be. I believe that our future is full of these as yet unrealized opportunities, and in this context we also welcome the vision and words of the Permanent Representative of France, Ambassador Levitte, with regard to our common destiny -- membership in the European Union. We welcome Mr. Svilanovic and his entire delegation.

The President

I now have the pleasure to invite the Special Envoy of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Goran Svilanovic, to address the Assembly.

Mr. Svilanovic (Yugoslavia)

I wish to convey the greetings of Mr. Vojislav Kostunica, the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and those of its Government and people.

This is a very special moment for me, which I would like to share with all present. The Assembly has decided unanimously to admit my country. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is now a fully-fledged Member of this world Organization, which makes it possible for it to take its rightful place in the family of nations.

The President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Kostunica, and I are deeply grateful to Secretary-General Kofi Annan and to the members of the Security Council, and its permanent members in particular, for their support and for their decision to recommend our country for admission into the fold of the United Nations speedily and expeditiously.

We understand the resolution just adopted as expressing recognition of, and support for, the profound democratic changes that have taken place in Yugoslavia. After 10 long years of conflict, my country is faced with many difficulties and many problems, internal and external alike. Most, but not all, of them have already been mentioned in the statements made here.

I take this opportunity to offer some assurances to the members of the Assembly, and in particular to our neighbours and their respective Governments. Yugoslavia is aware of these problems and is ready and willing to work with its neighbours and with the entire international community to overcome them. To that end, Yugoslavia will be a trustworthy neighbour and a conscientious member of the international community and will invest its best efforts to promote peace and stability in the region as well as worldwide.

This policy reflects the vital interests of the Yugoslav people and is the result of the profound democratic changes that have taken place in my country. Against tremendous odds, the people of Yugoslavia exercised their right to vote and rejected overwhelmingly authoritarianism and the repressive regime, choosing democracy instead. The people of my country demonstrated courage and perseverance in defending their vote and stood up to threats of violence and terror. They were brave and proud, and the new Government will make sure that it does not betray their expectations.

Yes, the people of my country won their battle through their own courage and resolve, but that battle would certainly have been much more difficult to win if it had not been for the helping hand extended so generously and selflessly by the international community. I thank all of our numerous friends and allies who have always believed in us and helped us in our hard, arduous and often uphill battle, every step of the way.

My presence here is also a final recognition of the victory of the people of my country -- the victory of ordinary Yugoslav men and women -- in their struggle for a better future.

To break free from the past, political change alone will not suffice. Economic change, growth and development will be needed as well. In order to achieve them, the goal of the new Government will be to join economic projects of the region and to be integrated in the world economy as a whole. Just a few days ago, my country was admitted to the Stability Pact for South-east Europe, and I can say that this is just the beginning.

Democratic Yugoslavia, ruled by a Government elected by the people, is committed to the pursuit by the people of the policy of friendship and cooperation with all countries, and it will strive for peace, promote goodwill and uphold stability. In addition to promoting relations with the countries of the region, Yugoslavia will have as a priority cooperation with Europe. It will remain open and willing to maintain close relations of cooperation with all other countries of the world and with international organizations. In doing so, it will always proceed from the principles of the equality of, and respect for, all nations, large and small, and peace and prosperity. Yugoslavia will also respect the noble goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

In closing, I would like to assure the Assembly that democratic Yugoslavia, its Government and its people will never waver in their resolve to keep this promise.

The President

I should like to inform Member States that the flag of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be raised at the ceremony that will take place in front of the delegates' entrance immediately after the adjournment of this meeting. I invite all representatives to attend.