SOLANA AND ROBERTSON HAIL MACEDONIA CEASEFIRE

ZAGREB, July 5 (Hina) - NATO Secretary General George Robertson and European Union High Representatives for security and foreign policy Javier Solana on Thursday hailed a decision on open-ended ceasefire, passed by military and police forces in Macedonia and Albanian extremists. "We strongly welcome the open-ended ceasefires declared by the military and police authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and by the armed ethnic Albanian extremists operating in the north of the county", read a statement issued by NATO in Brussels. "As we have repeatedly stated, there can be no military solution to the present conflict. Only a political solution can provide lasting peace and stability in the country and in the wider region", Robertson sand Solana said The statement also read the two officials called upon all parties to respect fully these ceasefire declarations and act in line with utmost discipline and restraint in avoiding incidents that could lead to a return to violence. "We urge all political parties to use this opportunity afforded by these ceasefires to make significant progress in the ongoing political dialogue," the statement read. (hina) it