SG/SM/8130
25 February 2002

UN SPOKESMAN REITERATES RESPECT FOR DEMARCATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA, FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

NEW YORK, 21 February (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The United Nations has received questions regarding the demarcation agreement of 23 February 2001 between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which affects the territory of Kosovo. The United Nations takes the view that the territory of Kosovo referred to in Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) is that defined as of the date of the resolution and that any change in the extent of the territory being administered by the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) requires approval by the Security Council. In a presidential statement on 7 March 2001 (S/PRST/2001/7) the Security Council emphasized that the demarcation agreement must be respected by all. Accordingly, the United Nations respects it.

* *** *