Security situation in Macedonia is far more stable after last year conflict

Macedonian Information Agency (Dec 12, 2002, 2:54:26 AM (GMT+01:00)) (MIA)  SKOPJE, Macedonia - "The security situation in Macedonia after the last year's military conflict is far more stable thanks to the prompt involvement of the international community, and most of all to NATO for managing the crisis," Macedonian Defense Minister Vlado Buckovski said Wednesday in his address at the SEE Defense Ministerial Meeting in Rome.

However, Buckovski pointed out that criminal groups were still present on Macedonian territory, which presented real threat to the full stabilization of the security situation.

He expressed hope that the existing degree of trust, accompanied with the appropriate economic progress and social development of the countries in the region would prevent the terrorist criminal groups from their intentions to destabilize the region.

"In order to eliminate the consequences of the activities of terrorist groups operating in the region, a coordinated, systematic and permanent operation is necessary by all countries in the region. On contrary, we risk this threat to spread further and deeper in the social structures, jeopardizing the democracy as an organization model and the basic human liberties and rights," Buskovski said.

Considering the possible dangers which could appear with the spreading of terrorism in the region, regional understanding, support and cooperation among the countries is one of the key factors for appropriate answer regarding the security challenges, Buckovski thinks.

According to him, the democratic and fair elections organized this September in Macedonia and the victory of the progressive, pro-western and pro-NATO oriented political forces gave additional impetus in further stabilization of the political and security situation in Macedonia and the wider region.

"Improved border control towards FR Yugoslavia, on Kosovo part of the border, as well as towards Albania will restrict the space for further existence of these groups," Buckovski explained, adding that therefore Macedonia has approved NATO's initiative for organizing conference on border security, which should take place in Ohrid in May 2003.

"Macedonia gives its own contribution in the regional cooperation, promoting new types of cooperation such as the latest initiative of President Boris Trajkovski, promoted prior to Prague Summit for joint presentation of Macedonia, Albania and Croatia in their efforts for sooner integration into NATO. The specific proposals arising from this initiative aim to promote joint regional training centers. Macedonia has proposed military camp Krivolak as one of the possible training centers," Buckovski said.

It is a fact that the accomplishments and successful results say that our obligation is to preserve and enhance the credibility of SEE Multinational Peace Brigade, Buckovski said.

"Macedonia has sent two officers within ISAF mission as part of the Turkish contingent, and in the near future Macedonia hopes to participate with entire subdivision in one of the contingents present in Afghanistan," Buckovski said.

Today, Ministers of Defence of South East European countries have signed a fourth protocol on agreement of regional multinational peacekeeping force, MIA reports.

The participants at the meeting discussed the international security and condemned all types of the terrorism. They reiterated their efforts in participating in the international fight against terrorism.

Decisions for NATO enlargement recently passed at NATO Prague Summit have been welcomed as well as the Alliance's intention for accession of other country-aspirants, including the SEE countries.

Discussions of the meeting have been focused on exchange of opinions on issues, which refer to challenges of the regional security in SEE and fight against terrorism.

At the margins of the conference, Buckovski had several bilateral meetings.

Italy will donate 30 armored vehicles M-113 to the Macedonian Army (ARM). This was agreed at the meeting between Macedonian and Italian Defense Ministers Vlado Buckovski and Antonio Martino held on Wednesday.

Martino confirmed that engineering equipment would be donated to ARM as well as Euro one million for infrastructure projects in the country.

He accepted Busckovski's initiative to organize joint military exercise of Macedonian, Italian and Albanian soldiers as part of the partnership in the Southeast European multinational peace brigade (SEEBRIG).

The ministers also discussed the forthcoming NATO mission to Macedonia "Allied Harmony."

Martino supported Macedonia's efforts for integration into NATO, and Buckovski thanked for the successfully organized ministerial meeting and for the partnership between the two countries.

Buckovski also met with State Secretary in the Slovenian Defense Ministry Janko Dezelak. At the meeting, the two officials agreed to intensify the cooperation through exchange of experience, particularly in the field of modernization of army forces, advance planning of the defense budget in compliance with NATO standards and personnel management.

"Slovenia is ready to cooperate and assist to Macedonian in the field of defense," Dezelak said. On behalf of Slovenian Defense Minister, Dezelak accepted the invitation to visit the country next year.

Turkish Minister for National Defense Vexdi Gonu positively assessed the progress in Macedonia, the implementation of Framework Agreement and stabilization of security situation in the country.

He also welcomed the initiative of the Macedonian Defense Ministry for enhancing the cooperation in the framework of "2+2" project, in which Turkey and Greece should assist to Macedonia and Albania in their preparations for gaining NATO membership.

The officials also agreed to continue the military-technical cooperation between Turkey and Macedonia and the training of the Macedonian officers.

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