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SHAPE Christmas
ceremony
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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.
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New Polish
Prime Minister at NATO HQ
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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.
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Covic discusses
situation in Southern Serbia and Kosovo with NAC
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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.
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President
Trajkovski requests extension of NATO operation
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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.
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Foreign Ministers'
meeting preview
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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.
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NATO's meeting
of Foreign Ministers: the launch of a "new relationship"
with Russia
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"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.
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Operation
Amber Fox extended
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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.
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Turkey
recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional
name.
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