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Updated: 05-Mar-2002 Week of 3-9 Dec. 2001

3 Dec. 2001
SHAPE Christmas ceremony

An unbroken tradition since 1967, the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), took place on 3 December 2001. It serves as an important opportunity for the SHAPE community to express its sincere gratitude to the people of Malmedy, in the Ardennes, for their generous gift of fir trees each year. The ceremony was co-presided by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Joseph W. Ralston, and Mr. Robert Denis, member of the House of Representatives and Mayor of Malmedy.

5 Dec. 2001
New Polish Prime Minister at NATO HQ

Mr Leszek Miller, appointed Prime Minister of Poland following parliamentary elections in September 2001, came on his first visit to NATO HQ on 5 December, to meet with Lord Robertson.

5 Dec. 2001
Covic discusses situation in Southern Serbia and Kosovo with NAC

The Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Nebojsa Covic, came to NATO HQ on 5 December to discuss the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in particular, in Southern Serbia and in the province of Kosovo following the recent legislative elections. He met with Lord Robertson and briefed the North Atlantic Council (NAC) on developments in his country.

5 Dec. 2001
President Trajkovski requests extension of NATO operation

President Trajkovski of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) has officially requested a three-month extension of NATO's Operation Amber Fox, which was due to finish at the end of the year.

6 Dec. 2001
Foreign Ministers' meeting preview

NATO's 19 Foreign Ministers are to meet, 6-7 December, to examine issues on the Alliance's current agenda, including NATO's response to terrorism since the attacks of 11 September 2001, steps toward enhancing NATO-Russia relations, the situation in the Balkans, as well as enlargement, missile defence and NATO-EU relations.

6-7 Dec. 2001
NATO's meeting of Foreign Ministers: the launch of a "new relationship" with Russia

"Today we commit ourselves to forge a new relationship between NATO Allies and Russia…We have decided to give impetus and substance to our partnership, with the goal of creating a new council bringing together NATO member states and Russia to identify and pursue opportunities for joint action at 20". This was one of the main conclusions that emerged from the meeting of the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council at the level of Foreign Ministers on 7 December. Ways of developing "effective mechanisms for consultation, cooperation, joint decision, and coordinated/joint action" will be pursued, with the aim of achieving results by May 2002 when NATO holds its next meeting of Foreign Ministers in Reykjavik.

7 Dec. 2001
Operation Amber Fox extended

NATO has agreed to authorise the extension of Operation Amber Fox in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) until 26 March 2002. This decision came on 7 December after an official request had been made by President Trajkovski to prolong the operation beyond its present three-month mandate. Operation Amber Fox started on 27 September and was due to end on 26 December 2001. It is being extended a further three months.

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