19 Mar. 2001

Armed attacks on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) strongly condemned Press Point Left to right: NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson with Dr. S. Kerim. The Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1), Dr. Srgjan Kerim, held a special meeting with NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, on 19 March to discuss joint measures against the armed attacks of ethnic Albanian extremists within the territory of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1). At a joint press conference ( .MP3/3.927Kb), both Lord Robertson and Dr. Kerim strongly condemned the action of the ethnic Albanian extremists and reiterated their determination to put an end to the fighting. Lord Robertson firmly stated that the violence perpetrated by the extremists to destabilise this democratic country must stop and emphasised NATO's commitment to tighten the control of the border and put additional troops into place. Dr. Kerim added that close and co-ordinated action was being taken to put an end to the current situation and to stop violence from being used as a means of achieving goals in the Balkans. The Foreign Minister, as well as Lord Robertson, also met with the EU General Affairs Council of Ministers in the afternoon and the North Atlantic Council -NATO's top decision-making body- held a special meeting to examine current developments. This was Dr Kerim's second visit to NATO HQ since the outbreak of violence on his country's territory. The first visit took place on 9 March (see NATO Update - 9 March). Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.