Skopje: OSCE looking for long-term solutions

SKOPJE, 18 June 2001 (OSCE) - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE), Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, visited Skopje today, in what he called "one of the most important weeks for this country," in which "we encourage a compromise to be found."

The Chairman-in-Office met with State President Boris Trajkovski, President of Parliament Stojan Andov, Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Muharem Halili as well as leaders of political parties. The talks focussed around the search for practical ways to support the plan of President Trajkovski to overcome the crisis. In this search, the OSCE will continue to co-operate closely with NATO and European Union.

"We are not only trying to find short-term remedies, but also to apply long-term instruments of rehabilitation," Mr. Geoana said. These would include economic and social measures with help from international donors, through the Stability Pact Regional Conference in the autumn in Bucharest; moves towards a real inter-ethnic balance while maintaining the territorial integrity of the country; genuine elections as a unifiying factor; fighting organised crime and corruption.

Based on previous experience, the OSCE would propose and be ready to participate in the implementation of a series of measures, among which are confidence building measures; return of displaced persons and refugees; multi-ethnic police training, a continued engagement of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities; assistance with the upcoming census and elections, and decentralisation.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office reiterated the need for a rapid solution to the current crisis and the commitment of the International Community to further assist the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on its path towards interethnic understanding and stability.

For more information, contact Mr. Harald Schenker, Minorities and Media Adviser, OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, Makosped Building, Marshal Tito 19-2, 1000 Skopje, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, tel: + 389 91 111 143; fax: + 389 91 111 267; e-mail: oscemsk@unet.com.mk