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UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK): 02 Dec 1999

Reconstruction and development
Kouchner meets Macedonia's top officials on strengthening economic cooperation between Kosovo and Macedonia: Head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Bernard Kouchner this morning held talks with Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Mr. Ljubco Georgievski on re-establishing and strengthening economic ties between Kosovo and Macedonia. The talks in Skopje, also attended by Macedonia's Ministers of Interior and Urban Planning, focussed on the possibility of enlarging the highway around the border crossing between the two countries and finalizing work on the opening of a second border crossing near Tetovo. Both sides agreed to meet more regularly and frequently to exchange information and deal with any problems that may arise.

At a working luncheon, Dr Kouchner explored with Deputy Foreign Minister and President-designate Boris Trajkovski ways to encourage private investments for the whole region. Mr. Trajkovski also raised the issue of the remaining 21,000 Kosovo refugees in Macedonia and their possible repatriation next year. He offered his country's cooperation in the reconstruction of Kosovo.

Talking to the press, Dr Kouchner praised Macedonia as a model of tolerance and multi-ethnic harmony, which should be followed in Kosovo.