Press Statement 29 October 2001

Press Statement Meeting of the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) met at Ambassadorial level on Monday, 29 October 2001. Following a briefing on the meeting of Military Representatives under the auspices of the PJC held on 25 September 2001, Ambassadors discussed the evolving peace process in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) and the need for progress on the parliamentary debate to enhance the security and stability in the country. They exchanged views on NATO-Russia cooperation in the international security presence in Kosovo (KFOR) and reiterated their full commitment to building there a democratic, multiethnic society. Ambassadors continued consultations on nuclear weapons issues, including an initial exchange on NATO's proposal on Confidence and Security Building Measures in the nuclear field. They reviewed the pragmatic results of the NATO-Russia experts' meeting, held in Brussels on 24 October. Ambassadors decided that NATO-Russia consultations on these issues will continue. Ambassadors discussed issues related to disarmament and arms control, including general discussion on CFE and Open Skies, based on the constructive NATO-Russia experts' meeting of conventional arms control experts held on 25 October in Brussels. Ambassadors also addressed other issues of common interest related to security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region. They reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism as a global threat. As a follow-up to the first ad-hoc senior level NATO-Russia consultation on combating terrorism in Brussels on 2 October, Ambassadors took positive stock of efforts already in hand to intensify NATO-Russia cooperation and discussed possibilities for further progress in this field. Ambassadors also exchanged views on new perspectives for the NATO-Russia partnership in the broader context of stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The PJC at Ambassadorial level will meet again on 27 November 2001. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.