Mitreva-Powell meeting in Washington

Macedonian Information Agency (Dec 12, 2002, 3:00:43 AM (GMT+01:00)) (MIA)  SKOPJE, Macedonia - Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva, who is paying a few-day official visit to the United States, met Tuesday with US State Secretary Colin Powell, Radio Voice of America in Macedonian language reported.

Mitreva briefed her host on priorities of the new Macedonian Government, such as maintenance of peace and stability, implementation of the Framework Agreement, reestablishment of the rule of law and combat against corruption and organized crime.

"Economic reforms and the country's integration with the Euro-Atlantic institutions are the Government's strategic goals, " Mitreva said, extending her gratitude to the US support of Macedonia's integration with NATO at the Prague Summit.

Washington welcomed the decision of Macedonia to give "special impetus to the regional cooperation, as well as the manner for its institutionalizing.

"The new Macedonian Government is strongly committed to continue with the reforms. The large budget deficit the government has inherited requires flexibility in reducing of the debt as we do not wish additional social tensions," Mitreva said.

After the meeting, Mitreva and Powell singed an agreement on perseverance of certain cultural resources.

Tomorrow, Mitreva is scheduled to meet with Deputy National Security Adviser Steven Hadley.

Yesterday, Mitreva met with World Bank Director for Macedonia Christian Portman and Chief of the International Monetary Fund Mission for the country Franek Rozwadowski.

She also delivered a speech at the Institute for Peace about the new government policy.

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