OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes adoption of new constitution by Macedonian Parliament

BUCHAREST, 16 November 2001 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, has welcomed the decision taken last night by the Macedonian Parliament to adopt a new constitution, which gives greater rights to the Albanian minority in the country.

"This long-awaited decision is a courageous step by the Macedonian parliament, and lays the foundation stone for a prosperous, multi-ethnic, tolerant, democratic and peaceful society in the country", Mr. Geoana said.

The new Macedonian constitution, approved by a large majority of 94 against 14 votes, enshrines 15 amendments that give the Albanian minority in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia greater rights. This includes the recognition of Albanian as an official language and increased access for ethnic Albanians to public-sector jobs, such as in the police force.

The new constitution is part of the peace accord signed at Ohrid on 13 August which ended seven months of violence between the ethnic Albanian armed groups and Macedonian government forces, earlier this year.