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Updated: 06-May-2002 NATO Press Releases

Press
Statement

6 May 2002

Press Statement

Meeting of the
NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council

The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) met at Ambassadorial level on Monday, 6 May 2002.

Following a briefing on the meeting of Military Representatives under the auspices of the PJC, held on 18 April 2002, Ambassadors exchanged views on the situation in the Balkans. They noted the consolidation of the peace process in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1), recognising the efforts of the international community and calling upon all parties to respect their commitments. They welcomed the participation of the ethnic Serb minority in Kosovo's provisional institutions of self-government, while stressing the need for continued vigilance against violence and political extremism. They noted with satisfaction continued cooperation between NATO and Russian forces in KFOR and SFOR and reaffirmed their common commitment to stability and security in the region.

Ambassadors also took stock of the common efforts of NATO and Russia in combating terrorism, and commended the progress achieved to date in this area. They reiterated their determination to continue to intensify these efforts. They noted the joint report on the NATO-Russia Conference on the Role of the Military in Combating Terrorism, held in Rome on 4 February.

Ambassadors addressed preparations for the PJC meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers, to be held on 14 May in Reykjavik. In this context, they devoted special attention to preparations for the 28 May NATO-Russia Summit in Rome, which will play a prominent role in PJC Ministerial discussion.

Ambassadors also discussed issues of defence reform, including the results of the first session of the NATO-Russia Staff Talks on Defence Reform and the 15 April working meeting of the NATO Economic Committee with Deputy Defence Minister Lyubov Kudelina.

  1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.

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