Ireland versus Yugoslavia Minister Urges UEFA to Reconsider its Position
Speaking at the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels today, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. David Andrews, T.D., said that the planned international match scheduled to take place next Saturday was a sensitive issue for the EU.
The Minister recalled that at its meeting on 26th April, the EU agreed to encourage international sporting organisations not to organise such events. However UEFA did not heed this appeal.
Since then, there has been a deterioration of the situation in Kosovo. There has also been the indictment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the FRY of President Milosevic for war crimes.
The Minister urged the council in light of the above circumstances to again urge sporting organisations, especially UEFA, to reconsider it's decision in relation to the proposed match in Dublin.
At the ministers request, the Coucil agreed that the following statement should issue:
"Recalling its conclusions of 26th April on sporting contacts with the FRY and taking into account developments since then, the Council expressed it's disapointment that some major sporting events are still taking place. It calls on international sporting organisations in Europe, notably UEFA, to reconsider decisions which would permit such sporting fixtures."
In conclusion, the Minister once again urged UEFA to reconsider its position in relation to the Yugoslav game.
