SKOPJE: ROBERTSON AND SOLANA CALL FOR DIALOGUE

SKOPJE, May 7 (Hina) - The European Union and NATO in Skopje on Monday called for achieving broad political consensus in order to put an end to violence in Macedonia and start dialogue on the crisis solving. A broad coalition and the united front against violence must be supported, NATO Secretary General George Robertson said at a joint press conference with European Union High Representative Javier Solana after talks with Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski. Robertson told reporters Macedonian politicians should choose dialogue over a confrontation. The international community will not allow that democratic institutions in Macedonia be jeopardised by gangs of criminals, whose stronghold is in the mountains in northern Macedonia, Robertson said. Solana said he was here to hold talks with all leaders in the country and help them to achieve necessary consensus for facing the current issues and avoid the radicalisation of the country and society. (hina) it sb