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| Last update: 14-Apr-2005 11:18 | NATO Update |
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Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1 addresses NATO Council
Visiting NATO HQ on 13 April, the Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1, Vlado Buckovski, expressed his determination to address the irregularities in the recent municipal elections in the country. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is one of three countries aspiring for NATO membership and part of the Alliance’s Membership Action Plan. Mr. Buckovski briefed NATO’s North Atlantic Council on the defence and political reform process in his country, including the reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption. Reviewing progress The Prime Minister expressed his determination to address the irregularities in the March and April municipal elections. Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) found significant irregularities in certain areas of the country, with authorities failing to guarantee equal suffrage or secrecy of the ballot. He also discussed with NATO Ambassadors the situation in the region, and especially in Kosovo. In May this year, a review by the international community of Kosovo’s compliance with key international standards will determine the future of talks on the province’s final status. “The progress the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1 is making … is considerable, and we commend and applaud [Mr. Buckovski] and his government for that,” said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at a joint press point with the Prime Minister. The Secretary General said NATO countries were concerned with the election irregularities, but said he was confident that Mr. Buckovski’s government would work to ensure that these would not be repeated and that those responsible would be brought to justice. This was Mr. Buckovski’s second visit to NATO Headquarters this year, following one in February.
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