Brussels, 06/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - Macedonians and ethnic Albanian Macedonians reached agreement Sunday evening on the organisation of local police forces. With the agreement reached on Wednesday on the status of Albanian, the two main points of discord have now been resolved, at the negotiating table at least. "The parties are to meet (Monday) to finalise the framework agreement. I am very happy that the main documents, on the police and the status of the Albanian language should have been concluded", declared the EU's High Representative for Cfsp, Javier Solana, who went to Ohrid (Macedonia) on Sunday specifically to take part in the talks alongside President Trajkovski, the main Macedonian and Albanian parties and the European and American envoys Francois Leotard and James Pardew. Speaking to the press, Solana stressed the "constructive attitude" of the Albanian and Macedonian sides and the "good work of the facilitators".
According to the Macedonian agency MIA, the agreement relates to the appointment of regional police chiefs, who will be chosen by local councils on the basis of a list of three people proposed by the Home Affairs Minister. Negotiators are also said to have decided on increased participation of Albanians in the police force. The Albanian parties, however, are said not to have secured the creation of a local police force.
As we were going to press on Monday, talks were still underway.