Brussels, 01/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - During the ceremony marking the transfer of authority between the NATO operation "Allied Harmony" to the EU-led "Concordia" operation in Skopje on 31 March, Javier Solana declared that, "This is a good day for all of us: for the EU, for NATO and most importantly, for the people of your country." He asserted that the Alliance should be proud of what it had achieved, adding that it was a good day for the EU because President Trajkovski and the government had demonstrated their confidence in the commitment of the European Union to help their country achieve genuine and lasting peace and stability. The High Representative for CFSP explained that it was a good day for Lord Robertson and himself, underlining that for their two organisations, "the key message today is not 'EU in and NATO out' - but that by working together, we are both stronger, here and wherever else such cooperation may be in demand". Mr Solana concluded that "It's a good day for your country" because it marks, "the start of a new phase in our relations, a phase where cooperation with the EU extends to all fields: political, economic and in security matters". (On the subject of Concordia, see EUROPE 29 March p 6).
The Commander in Chief of the operations is the German Admiral Rainer Feist (the SACEUR deputy), the Commander on the ground is French General Pierre Maral and the Special EU Representative is Alexis Brouhns. The force will consist of 27 countries, with around 350 soldiers stationed in the country and operating in mobile liaison teams, backed up by heavy field liaison teams that will use wheeled armoured vehicles and helicopters where necessary. The EU will have access to certain NATO capability and will continue to closely cooperate with the Northern Alliance, which maintains a role in the country. The EU's military presence will allow for greater dialogue with Skopje and help the country to develop its own standards in keeping with European practices.
Romano Prodi stresses the importance of this country in the current crisis,
ahead of European integration
In a declaration about the mission, the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi pointed out that, "the long process of European integration has taken another step forward". Mr Prodi regretted that this important step, "may be overshadowed by the gravest crisis that has affected inter-European and transatlantic relation and the United Nations since the Second World War" but stressed that at the same time the importance of this first military operation entirely, "undertaken under the umbrella of European security should not be undervalued". In addressing Concordia personnel, Mr Prodi explained that, "It was a sign that Europe is still pushing ahead in spite of everything, this Europe that people yearn for both within the EU and outside and that is still lacking. He also stressed that their mission was to "safeguard peace and stability in the Balkans and to restore people's tranquillity and confidence in the future there" and concluded that he did not see, "a better way to use our military force".