ZAGREB, March 26 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic confirmed in Zagreb on Monday that he would soon travel to Macedonia on a mission of good will, which would not be "classic mediation" in the conflict between Albanian
extremists and Macedonian forces. "The initiative came from several sides," Mesic told reporters after meeting Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, expressing readiness to "soon" visit Macedonia in order to call for the cessation of hostilities. Mesic said he had not talked about his intention with Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, but Trajkovski, he stressed, agreed that he visit Macedonia on a mission of non-classic mediation. Meidani, who today arrived in Croatia for a two-day return visit, said Mesic could play a "positive role as mediator" because he enjoyed the trust of both Albanians and Macedonians. The President's Office confirmed last week that at no time
ZAGREB, March 26 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic
confirmed in Zagreb on Monday that he would soon travel to Macedonia
on a mission of good will, which would not be "classic mediation" in
the conflict between Albanian extremists and Macedonian forces.
"The initiative came from several sides," Mesic told reporters
after meeting Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, expressing
readiness to "soon" visit Macedonia in order to call for the
cessation of hostilities.
Mesic said he had not talked about his intention with Macedonian
President Boris Trajkovski, but Trajkovski, he stressed, agreed
that he visit Macedonia on a mission of non-classic mediation.
Meidani, who today arrived in Croatia for a two-day return visit,
said Mesic could play a "positive role as mediator" because he
enjoyed the trust of both Albanians and Macedonians.
The President's Office confirmed last week that at no time was the
possibility of Mesic's classic mediation in the Macedonia crisis
discussed, but only "the possibility of a mission of 'good will'
which would relay a clear message to everyone that problems cannot
be solved by force, but through institutions of the system".
Explaining the meaning of a good will mission, Mesic said he would
forward an appeal for problems to be solved without the use of
weapons, through dialogue and the system, and for deadlines to be
set for solutions to open issues "which, unfortunately, exist".
Underlining he did not want to become involved with all open issues
between Albanians and Macedonians, President Mesic stressed that
the problem of the University in Tetovo and the participation of
Albanians in all social spheres must be resolved first.
Meidani agreed with Mesic that the conflict in Macedonia should be
solved through dialogue, but also stressed that the Macedonian side
must cease with the attacks.
In answer to a reporters' question, Meidani stressed the concept of
a 'Great Albania', but also, as he put it, a 'Greater Kosovo' as of
recent, were not the products of the Albanians. That is not how
politicians in Albania think, he said, adding these were products
of minds of other offices.
On the bilateral plan, the two heads of state confirmed good
political relations without any open issues, and the same strategic
interests -- primarily entry into European associations.
They also pointed out the need for improving economic cooperation
between the two countries.
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