16 May 2001

Lord Robertson visits Albania NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, travelled to Tirana on 16-17 May to meet with President Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Ilir Meta, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and Defence Minister Ismail Lleshi. They held discussions on the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1), during which Lord Robertson welcomed the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Meta to work for moderation and a constructive political dialogue among the leaders of the ethnic Albanian community in that country. They also underscored the importance of Albania's improved relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its efforts to conduct defence reform. After these meetings, Lord Robertson gave a speech at the Albanian Atlantic Association in which he stated that "NATO's relations with Albania have both widened and deepened significantly in recent years", namely through cooperation in the Balkans and Albania's active participation in the Partnership for Peace programme, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Membership Action Plan. During his visit, Lord Robertson also met with the Parliamentary Commissions for Foreign Affairs and Defence. Parliamentary elections are to be held in Albania on 24 June 2001. Additional information: Speech by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson at the Albanian Atlantic Association, Tirana, Albania - 17 May 2001 Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.