Federal Republic of Yugoslavia admitted to UN membership
1 November - The flag of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was hoisted today at United Nations Headquarters in New York after the General Assembly unanimously decided to grant the country's request for membership in the world body.
Speaking at the flag-raising ceremony, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called the event a "milestone in the long and difficult passage of the Balkans towards becoming a truly free and democratic region." He noted that the future of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was "profoundly tied" to the freedom, prosperity and human rights of its neighbours. "I hope that this moment, and this day, will mark the beginning of a period where the peoples of the Balkans themselves finally join forces to rebuild their own lives by building a common future," he said.
The Assembly acted on the recommendation of the Security Council, which yesterday endorsed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's request for admission. In submitting his request, the new Yugoslav President, Vojislav Kostunica, cited "fundamental democratic changes" in his country as the impetus behind its decision to seek UN membership.
"The path leading to this moment has been long and troublesome, but today we should look to the future and welcome the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a promising new beginning," said Assembly President Harri Holkeri of Finland. At the same time, he stressed that "freedom carries with it responsibilities, including those relating to the pursuit of justice" and underscored the importance of Belgrade's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Introducing the draft resolution on behalf of the European Union and associated countries, the representative of France, Jean-David Levitte, said that the Yugoslav people had chosen the path of democracy - a choice which would have positive effects on the entire region. He added that in seeking membership, President Kostunica had broken with the former regime, confirming the values of the UN Charter. The resolution's adoption, he said, would send a "unanimous message of friendship and hope" to the Yugoslav people.
Speaking after his country's admission to the UN, the Special Envoy of President Kostunica, Goran Svilanovic, said "democratic Yugoslavia" would strive for peace, promote goodwill and uphold stability. He also pledged his country's determination to respect the noble goals and principles of the UN Charter.
The need for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to apply for UN membership stems from a September 1992 resolution adopted by the General Assembly following the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. By that text, the Assembly ruled that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, comprised of Serbia and Montenegro, could not automatically continue the membership of the former Yugoslavia. Earlier that year, three constituent parts of the former Yugoslavia - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia - became UN Member States in their own right. A fourth, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, followed suit by joining the UN in 1993.
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