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BRUSSELS, Oct 5, 1999 -- The European Union on Monday rubber-stamped plans to exempt Kosovo and Montenegro from the oil embargo against Yugoslavia, putting into effect a decision taken by EU foreign ministers in July.
The decision, publicized in a statement, frees Kosovo and Montenegro from the oil ban imposed on Yugoslavia last year as part of a package of sanctions to punish Belgrade for Serb forces' repression in Kosovo province, now occupied by NATO-led peacekeepers.
Sales of oil and oil products to Kosovo and Montenegro - Serbia's smaller partner republic in federal Yugoslavia - will be permitted as long as shipments go to the two regions without passing through other parts of Serbia or being shipped on.
"A declaration by the U.N. Special Representative for Kosovo or by the competent authorities of Montenegro shall constitute...conclusive evidence" that the terms are not being broken, the statement said.
An EU spokesman said a separate decision would be taken by EU foreign minister next week to exempt Kosovo and Montenegro from a ban on civilian flights.