WASHINGTON, Nov 26 (Hina) - The U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has thanked Macedonia for support it gave to the United States' operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and for signing an agreement with Washington on non-extradition of
American nationals to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
WASHINGTON, Nov 26 (Hina) - The U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
has thanked Macedonia for support it gave to the United States'
operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and for signing an agreement
with Washington on non-extradition of American nationals to the
International Criminal Court (ICC). #L#
After his talks with Macedonia's Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski
in Washington on Tuesday, Powell told reporters that they had
considered strong bilateral relations between Macedonia and the
United States.
According to Powell, he and his guest had talked about the fact that
Macedonia had backed Washington when it needed assistance in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
Macedonians have ensured troops for deployment in both countries.
Crvenkovski described Macedonia as a very stable and reliable
partner and ally of the United States.
He voiced hope that after his talks with Powell, Washington would
back Macedonia's bids to join Euro-Atlantinc integration
processes.
Being faced with a possibility of civil war and conflict between
Macedonians and ethnic Albanians in 2001, Skopje, with
international forces' assistance, succeeded in solving the
conflict. The European military mission will be engaged in
Macedonia until 15 December, and after that there will be no foreign
military units in that Balkan country.
Powell praised Macedonia for a degree of political and internal
stability it had achieved.
(hina) ms