Athens, 10 September 2001 (RFE/RL) -- France and Greece agreed today that a multinational force should remain in Macedonia after NATO finishes collecting weapons from ethnic Albanian militants. But leaders from both countries say foreign troops should operate under a United Nations Security Council mandate.
Lionel Jospin of France and Costas Simitis of Greece made the remarks after meeting in Athens today.
EU foreign ministers yesterday called for a NATO-led security force to remain in Macedonia after the alliance's weapon collecting operation ends on 26 September. But the German proposal says the force also should include non-NATO members like Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, and Finland.
Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski says there is no need for NATO to stay. But Trajkovski has asked for a new international monitoring mission that includes the United States and Russia.
Lionel Jospin of France and Costas Simitis of Greece made the remarks after meeting in Athens today.
EU foreign ministers yesterday called for a NATO-led security force to remain in Macedonia after the alliance's weapon collecting operation ends on 26 September. But the German proposal says the force also should include non-NATO members like Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, and Finland.
Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski says there is no need for NATO to stay. But Trajkovski has asked for a new international monitoring mission that includes the United States and Russia.