Press Release (2001)073 21 May 2001

Statement by the NATO Spokesman The NATO Secretary General and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) have signed an agreement on the status of KFOR troops in the country. The agreement provides a legal basis for solving practical daily issues on the presence of KFOR troops in the territory of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on assignment and in transit, to support KFOR operations in Kosovo. It covers the status of all KFOR forces in the country, from NATO countries as well as from non-NATO contributing nations. Secretary General Lord Robertson said: "I believe the agreement is a sign of the excellent cooperation between NATO and the government authorities in Skopje. It will help to improve the overall good relations between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and all the KFOR contributing nations". Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name

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