Joint press point

with NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¹, Branko Crvenkovski

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER (NATO Secretary General):  It is a pleasure to greet the President, once again, at NATO this morning.  He's a regular visitor to the headquarters and given the ambitions and the Membership Action Plan, the stated situation of his country, that is no surprise. 

I started... Let me start here by thanking the president once again for the flawless organization of the Ohrid EAPC Security Forum.  I think as far as organization was concerned and the substance that was a really successful event. 

Of course, we discussed the state of play in the run-up to the Bucharest Summit.  I think, if we look at the reform process, we see that still some important elements should have attention.

It is important that the State Juridiciary Council will be set up.  That process must be completed.  It is important that decentralization goes on, equitable representation, defense reform.  I think commendable steps have been taken.  The Allies of course will scrutinize the reform process, will assist and help where it is possible and where it is necessary.

What is important... and the president and I discussed of course this as well... what is important, of crucial importance, is that nations who aspire to become NATO members must have what I would qualify a mature political culture.  And what we saw in Parliament in Skopje last week is not a sign and a signal of a mature political culture.  And I think the president and I do agree that this should not be repeated.

I'm happy with the fact that a committee of inquiry has now been formed which has a strict deadline for reporting.  So let us hope that indeed this serious incident was just the exception and that a mature political culture is within the rein of the possible, which I think it is.  And I think many people are working on this.  But let's no underestimate what this might mean.

Finally, I think it is important to note that in the different operations and missions we see a lot of support.  I have noticed more than once, Mister President, in Kabul, the efforts of your soldiers as far as close protection is concerned.  I think you do a commendable job as you do in facilitating the work of KFOR in Kosovo. 

In other words, you are not only a consumer, but also a producer of security.  And I think that is one of the very important elements in your ambitions to aspire NATO membership. 

Last remark, final remark: the reform process goes on, should go on.  We are entering a crucial period.  I tell you nothing new.  We're entering a crucial political period in the run-up to the Bucharest Summit.  NATO will help.  NATO will assist wherever it can.  Mister President, feel yourself  welcomed as usual at NATO.

BRANKO CRVENKOVSKI (President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia):  (INTERPRETATION THROUGHOUT)  Today's meeting between myself and Secretary General Scheffer was an opportunity to make an overview of the general relations between NATO and our country.

I informed the Secretary General regarding the... certain achievements in areas in the past period, such as the defence reforms which are assessed at a very high level, the economic reform, the improvement of the business climate and direct investments. 

Of course, I also told Secretary General about our commitment to resume our participation in the missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lebanon.  I would also like to inform you of the Kabul visit of our soldiers in Kabul next week. 

Regarding the political criteria, certains remarks have been presented.  I also tried to tell the Secretary General that we will do everything in our power through political commitment to resolve this issue.  All crucial political parties condemned last week's incident in the Parliament.  And we will soon... we hope that soon everybody will bear criminal and political responsibility.  And I want to emphasize once again that Macedonia has the political commitment and everything needed to acquire the invitation of NATO membership, next year, in Bucharest. 

MODERATOR:  Questions please.

Q:  Secretary General, Jacob (INAUDIBLE), Belgrade.  I would like to ask you, yesterday, Prime Minister Voljislav Koštunica, prime minister of Serbia, told to the press that NATO is particularly interested that Kosovo became an independent State.  So I want to ask you:  "Which are interests, your interests that Kosovo became independent State?"  And can you explain us what Ahtisaari proposal give to the NATO in the means of the powers that you don't have already according to the resolution 1244?  Thank you.

DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Well, let me answer you that NATO as you know supports the Troika process.  And during the Troika process, I'll be very restrained in making public comments. 

Let me just say that if you use...  you used the word "power" in the same sentence as NATO and Kosovo.  It has nothing to do with "power".  It has to do with creating a climate of security and stability in Kosovo as we speak so that everybody, minority and majority alike, is adequately protected and can go about his life.  That is what is at stake for NATO. 

And on the political side, it's the allies in support and full support.  I attended the contact group in New York last week, in full support for the Troika process.  And I do personally think that any remark which migh harm the process of the Troika at this moment is not helpful.  If that remark comes from whatever capital be it NATO Headquarters, be it other capitals.  So I'll be restrained in my comments on this issue.  NATO has a clear responsibility; KFOR has a clear responsibility, takes that very seriously indeed.  And that's all there is.

Q:  Mister Scheffer, (INAUDIBLE) from Greece, for (inaudible), for the membership of Macedonia, how you comment that, more serious pressure?  And secondly, there are speculations that invitation from Macedonia and other two countries will be with a condition, some called it "regatta process" or whatever.  I know it's speculations.

DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  In my long career, I have learned that I never speculate and I never react to speculations from wherever they may come.  So let's qualify them... let me qualify them, with you, "speculations".  On the main issue, you know that NATO has.. and is not seeking direct involvement, that is not NATO's business, that is not NATO's affair. 

At the same time, of course, I can express the hope as I've done many times before that there will be a solution for the name issue.  But that is in the hands of Mr. Nemitz  on behalf of the United Nations.  And this is all that I should say about the name issue. 

Q:  (INAUDIBLE)  from Bloomberg.  Mr.  Secretary-General on the Parliament incident, what additional step would you like to see Macedonia take between now and Bucharest to establish the mature political culture that you call for?  And Mr. President, did you today outline any concrete measures that you're going to take?

DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Let the President answer first.

CRVENKOVSKI:  (INTERPRETATION THROUGHOUT)  I inform the Secretary General that an inquiry committee has been established today in the Macedonian Parliament in order to make an overview of the incidents last week.  That committee will have a seven day deadline in order to complete its inquiry and submit the report.  The responsibility will be both criminal and political.  The ones that took part in the physical incidents will bear criminal responsibilities and for some them this has already been initiated.  And of course, there will be political responsibility for those who indirectly or directly contribute to this incident.  The most important thing is that all political parties being ruled... all of our crucial political parties show commitment this to be resolved and remain just in the past. 

DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Let me follow the president when he qualifies this as an incident.  Of course, an unfortunate incident, but an incident... and an incident means that it will not... it should not be repeated.  I think the president and I fully...are in full agreement here.  And let me repeat I have good hopes that the committee of inquiry, which has a very strict deadline, as the president was saying a moment ago, of seven days will do what it is supposed to do, and that we shall not see such incidents repeated. 

MODERATOR:  We have time for a last question.  No? Yes.

Q:  How big is the damage for membership of Macedonia in NATO after this incident?

DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  I said about this what I said this.  And I made my introductory remarks about the importance of a mature political culture.  And let me not say any more about this.