22 May 2002

NATO's Military Committee in the Balkans The Deputy Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, Vice Admiral Fages of the US Navy, and Military Representatives from NATO member countries flew to the Balkans, 22-23 May. During their visit, they met with NATO peacekeeping personnel from Task Force Fox, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) and spent some time with KFOR, NATO's peacekeeping force in Kosovo. The purpose of this visit was to see, at first-hand, the myriad of responsibilities and challenging tasks being carried out by NATO and Partner countries in the region and to offer support and encouragement on behalf of the Military Committee, NATO's highest military authority. The Military Committee recommends measures considered necessary for the common defence of the Euro-Atlantic area and provides guidance to NATO's two strategic commanders. It last travelled to the Balkans on 14-15 March 2002, when it visited the NATO-led peacekeeping force, SFOR, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additional information: KFOR Press Release: COMKFOR meets the Military Committee - 23 May 2002 Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.