OSCE "stands ready to assist in implementation of a peace agreement", says Chairman-in-Office in Skopje

SKOPJE, 27 July 2001 (OSCE) - The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, visited Skopje yesterday, together with NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson and European Union Foreign Policy High Representative Javier Solana, in an effort to consolidate the recently agreed cease-fire and to reenergize the political dialogue between the parties. Mr. Geoana welcomed this display of unity of these three main European security organizations. "Our visit is timely and useful", he said in a press conference at the end of the talks held in Skopje.

The troika met the Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Ljubcio Georgievski, ministers of defense, interior and foreign affairs, and leaders of the four political parties. They have encouraged all parties to show restraint and prevent violence and inflammatory rhetoric to spread out.

Welcoming the progress achieved until now in the negotiation progress, Mr. Geoana expressed the hope that the few pending issues will be settled as soon as possible. "The OSCE, in close co-ordination with the EU and NATO, also stands ready to assist you in the implementation of a peace agreement", he stated.

"The OSCE has an important role to play after the implementation of a peace agreement. We would be ready to offer appropriate confidence-building measures for a sustainable solution of the conflict", Mr. Geoana added.

The Chairman-in-Office also expressed deep concern about the recent outburst of violence, which resulted in brutal attacks against OSCE premises and vehicles on the ground. He strongly condemned these actions and paid tribute to the OSCE Monitoring Mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. "Our staff and our monitors are risking their lives for a better Macedonia. We are proud of their dedication and courage", he said.

Minister Geoana also condemned any extremist actions and ethnic cleansing, and reaffirmed his strong support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

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For further information, please contact Josue Anselmo, OSCE Spokesperson, mobile (+43) 664 325 3698, or the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180, or e-mail: info@osce.org