International concern over violence in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1)

In the wake of repeated acts of violence by ethnic Albanian extremists against forces of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1), Lord Robertson travelled to Skopje on 7 May for meetings with President Boris Trajkovski and other senior government officials and leading political figures.

Lord Robertson held these meetings together with the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, Javier Solana, who was also visiting the country at the time. They reiterated their support for the government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1), but also underlined the need for it to remain firm but restrained in its action against the extremists.

On his return from Skopje the same day, Lord Robertson met with the Prime Minister of Albania, Ilir Meta, to discuss events in the Balkans and, more particularly, to share information about the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1).

At a press conference, Lord Robertson reiterated that violence was not advancing the cause of ethnic Albanians in the region and was damaging the Albanians' reputation. Prime Minister Meta added that his government has consistently condemned the use of violence to resolve the legitimate concerns of the ethnic Albanian communities. Isolating the extremists and reassuring the ethnic Albanian communities that progress would be made, he stated, could help reduce violence. He continued by saying that Albania would encourage dialogue with its neighbours in order to accelerate the European integration of the region.

On 3 May, Lord Robertson also held discussions with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-office for the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1), Ambassador Bob Frowick, on the situation in the Balkans with the aim of continuing to co-ordinate efforts between the two institutions in the region.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, the United Nations and the European Union are among the many international organisations operating in the area. Just two weeks ago, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Kosovo, Hans Haekkerup, was at NATO HQ with a delegation of political leaders of ethnic groups from the Kosovar community.