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An extraordinary joint meeting of Foreign and Defence Ministers
of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) was held on 18 June at NATO
HQ in Brussels. Ministers welcomed the ongoing withdrawal of Yugoslav
security forces and the speedy deployment of KFOR.
On 19 June, the NAC approved the arrangements for Russian participation
in KFOR negotiated between the US and Russian authorities in Helsinki.
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NATO Refugee Centre at Brazda. (Belga Photo)
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Following SACEUR's confirmation that all Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(FRY) and Serb security forces had withdrawn from Kosovo in conformity
with the Military Technical Agreement, NATO Secretary General, Dr
Javier Solana, decided on 20 June to terminate Phases I and II of
the Phased Air Campaign as well as the Limited Air Response. On
the same day, the NAC noted an Undertaking on Demilitarisation and
Transformation by the UCK.
In the meantime KFOR continues its deployment into Kosovo and is
now working alongside the United Nations Interim Administration
Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). KFOR's primary role is to provide a secure
environment for the rebuilding of Kosovo. However, in the early
stages, until civil authorities or international agencies can take
over, immediate support will be necessary for assistance with emergency
humanitarian aid, public security, civil administration and essential
infrastructure repairs.
Additional information:
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NATO Speeches:
Canadian Joint Press
Conference by Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defense
Justice and Louise Arbour, Chief Prosecutor ICTY
- High
resolution photos of the Extraordinary Meeting of the North
Atlantic Council in Joint Foreign & Defence Ministers Session
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