Recognition of New States Annex I: Declaration on the ‘Guidelines on the Recognition of New States in Eastern Europe and in he Soret Union (16 December 1999) 0 In compliance with the European Council's request, Ministers bave assessed developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union with a view to elaborating an approach regarding relations with new sates, In this connection they have adopted the following guidelines on the formal cecognition of new states in Eastern Europe and inthe Soviet Union: “he Commonly sn Meer ee to i sachet oe ce fn Fesormeniy sd Memes Sp ci ment» eo ‘They affirm their readiness w recognize, subject to the normal standards of international ‘practice and the political realities in each case, those new States which, following the historic Changes inthe region, hve constitu themselves ona democratic basis, bave the international obligations and bave commited themselves in good fath 10 8 esclal proces and to negotzions. Therefore, they adopt commen postion on the proces of recognition ofthese new Stes which requires "respect for the provisions ofthe Chane of the United Nations and the commitments ‘ubucribed tone Final Act of Relais and in the Chater of Pars, especialy with Tegard tothe rule of law, democracy and bumta rights = usrasecs forthe rights of ethnic and national groups tnd mores in accordance with {be commiumentssubsrbad to inthe framework of the CSCE = respect forthe involabityof al ones which can onl be changed by peaceful means and by common agreemen ~ acceptance of all levant commitment with regard to disarmament and clear 0 Drollen exe te egal ay oi = Commitmentto including where recoune tostbitaon, {ifquesios concrng Sure aceron sn pone open, ‘The Community and its Member Suis will ot recognize etities which ae the result of sggresion. They would take acount ofthe effects ofrecognison on neighbouring Sats: ‘Tae commitment o these principles opens the way to recognition by the Community andits “Member Stes and tothe esubishneat of diplomatic reason. 1 could be iid own i apeemean. 4 EJIL (1993) 72-91