16 July 2003

NATO support to EU operation extended Background NATO-EU relations News 17/03/2003 NATO-EU cooperation taken to a new level Key links European Union The North Atlantic Council agreed today to extend the availability of NATO assets to the European Union’s Operation Concordia in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1 until 15 December 2003. Under landmark agreements agreed earlier this year NATO can support EU-led crisis management operations in which the Alliance as a whole is not engaged militarily. This includes making NATO military assets available for such operations. These agreements paved the way for the historic handover on 31 March of NATO's mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1 to the European Union. This is the EU’s first peacekeeping mission, and the first in which NATO assets have been made available to the EU. The commander of the mission, German Admiral Rainer Feist is also the Deputy NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Today’s decision is anticipating a likely decision by the European Union to extend Operation Concordia until the end of this year. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.