I welcome the conduct of the presidential and municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which, according to the OSCE, were generally positive, peaceful and well administered. These elections demonstrate that, as a country working towards NATO membership, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has made real progress in meeting the high democratic standards of the Alliance.

At their Summit in Strasbourg and Kehl last weekend NATO Heads of State and Government reiterated their agreement to extend an invitation to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as soon as a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue has been reached within the framework of the UN, and urged intensified efforts towards that goal. I am pleased that the incoming President, Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, has announced that he will make resolution of the name issue his first task.

[1] Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia by its Constitutional name.

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