Press Release: Patten welcomes agreement in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, promises European Commission aid

EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten welcomed the Framework Agreement signed on 13 August 2001 by political leaders in Skopje. He went on to say that the European Commission intends to organise, together with the World Bank, a Donors' Meeting for Macedonia. This will take place as soon as the envisaged constitutional amendments have been adopted by the Assembly, due by the end of September 2001.

As soon as security conditions permit, the European Commission will also arrange for a rapid assessment of the damage inflicted by the conflict, and contribute to immediate efforts to repair and rebuild damaged homes. European Commission officials are also preparing an aid package worth €30 million, from the 'CARDS' assistance programme for the Balkans. This money is in addition to the €42 million already earmarked for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under the CARDS programme for 2001. It will cover support for reconstruction, local infrastructure improvements, and support for measures envisaged in the Framework Agreement, such as local government reform. In addition, the Commission may also disburse up to €50 million of macro-financial assistance, once FYROM's agreement with the IMF is back on track.

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