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HIGH LEVEL TALKS IN SKOPJE, FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

On 25th November, the Kosovo Force Commander, (COMKFOR) Major-General Salvatore FARINA, attended a day of high-level talks and briefings in SKOPJE, the capital of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

COMKFOR's agenda included comprehensive meetings with a number of State officials, including HE Talat XHAFERI, Minister of Defense, HE Gordana JANKULOVSKA, Minister of Interior and Lt General Gorančo KOTESKI, Chief of the General Staff. He also paid a courtesy visit to the Italian Ambassador, HE Ernesto BELLELLI.

Discussions were mainly held about the security situation in the region with specific reference to North Kosovo in view of the ongoing political process, and the importance of regional cooperation on security issues.

The role of KFOR in relation to Kosovo Security Forces, Kosovo Border Police and KFOR activities, were also outlined during the talks.

In this context, COMKFOR underlined the importance of maintaining and developing the cooperation between KFOR and FYROM's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces in order to enhance the security situation in the region. He also conveyed his thanks for the great support which is provided to KFOR by SKOPJE authorities.

COM KFOR previously visited the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 06th November to announce Phase 3 of the ‘Roads & Bridges Project', which is a 35 million euro NATO funded project, incorporating the reconstruction of 60 bridges, which were used by KFOR convoy's during the KOSOVO crisis.

The high level talks were conducted in line with the Military Technical Agreement (MTA), known as the Kumanovo Treaty, and were the third high level meeting undertaken by COM KFOR having visited Belgrade and Tirana previously.

One new development was announced during the talks with the Minister of Interior; was the introduction of joint patrols between KFOR International Military Police and Law Enforcement Authorities in SKOPJE to enforce state traffic regulations.