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