Brussels, 09/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - Macedonian Foreign Minister Sergian Kerim received the political backing he wanted from the European Union. After his meeting, Friday morning, with the EU's Political and Security Committee (Cops), the minister welcomed the declaration adopted by the Swedish Presidency of the EU. This declaration, he said, provides "clear support for actions undertaken by the Macedonian Government in a difficult situation where extremist groups (…) are trying to take the ethnic Albanian population hostage". "We clearly want to separate the extremists from the majority of the Albanian population in our country", he said, recalling that the Macedonian Government, which comprises the Albanian Democratic Party, "acts with a single voice".
In the declaration adopted following the meeting, the Swedish Presidency of the EU stresses that the "European Union considers the stability of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia of fundamental importance for the future development of the whole region, and reiterates its strong condemnation of the recent episodes of ethnic Albanian extremist attacks in the area, which endanger the stability and security of the country and the region. The EU's Political and Security committee (Cops) supports the government's policy of maintaining the appropriate level of restraint, in preserving the political stability of the country and in fostering harmony and cooperation among all ethnic groups of the population. In this context, the EU welcomes the increased contacts between KFOR, UNMIK and Fyrom to address the volatile situation in the border area. It welcomes the actions already undertaken, especially by KFOR. It calls upon all neighbouring countries and international organisations active in the area to examine what support they could provide. It underlines the importance of the role played by KFOR, the EU and its Monitoring Mission (EUMM), as well as the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, especially in the monitoring along the borders of Fyrom. Recalling the importance of integrated border management, the EU stands ready to support efforts by the countries of the region. In the context of improving inter-ethnic relations, the EU is contributing substantially to the Southeast Europe University in Tetovo. The EU reiterates its call on all political forces in Fyrom as well as in Kosovo to distance themselves from and isolate the forces behind the recent attacks and to shoulder their responsibility for peace and stability in the region. It confirms its strong attachment to the principle of inviolability of internationally recognised borders in the region, and to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Fyrom."
Sergian Kerim, who also met NATO representatives, placed emphasis on the his request for increased KFOR involvement at Fyrom's borders. "Only intervention by KFOR on the other side of the border, with the full cooperation of our security forces, can resolve the situation on the ground", he declared. "the case-by-case approach cannot work, there needs to be global surveillance of the borders", he added, stipulating that he expected KFOR to act along these lines. On Thursday, NATO authorised Serb forces to gradually return to the ground safety zone that surrounds Kosovo's borders. According to NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, KFOR has taken "robust measures" to "prevent armed individuals crossing the border" with Macedonia.