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MEDIA ADVISORY

The European Commission and the World Bank will hold a Donors' meeting for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 12 March 2002 in Brussels.

The meeting will be held at senior official level, and will be co-chaired by the European Commission and the World Bank. It is intended to address the needs for macro-financial assistance; rehabilitation and reconstruction in areas affected by the conflict, and support for costs arising from the Framework Agreement, signed in August 2001, to promote peace and stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Donors will be invited to pledge financing required to meet these needs.

The media is invited to the following events:

Monday 11th March

11.30: Joint European Commission/World Bank Background Briefing
Mr. Reinhard Priebe, DG External Relations, Director Western Balkans
Mr. Christiaan Poortman, World Bank, Country Director and Regional co-ordinator for South-East Europe
Venue: European Commission, Press Room, Breydel building, Ave d'Auderghem, 45

Tuesday 12th March

9.30-10.20: Opening remarks by
H.E. Chris Patten, Commissioner for External Relations
Mr. Ljubco Georgievski, Prime Minister, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Mr. Christiaan Poortman, World Bank and Mr. Reinhard Priebe, DG External Relations, Co-chairs
Venue: European Commission, Charlemagne Conference Centre, Room S3, Rue de La Loi, 170

18.00: Joint EC/World Bank Press Conference
Prime Minister, Mr. Ljubco Georgievski; Mr. Nikola Gruevski, Minister of Finance; EC/WB Co-Chairs: Messrs. Priebe and Poortman
Venue: European Commission, Charlemagne Conference Centre, Room S3, Rue de La Loi, 170

N.B. Members of the Media, who are not accredited to the Commission, and who wish to attend any of the media events, need to apply for temporary accreditation. Please send your request no later than Friday 8 March 2002 with a photocopy of your press card to DG Press. Fax: +32.2.2967912 or +32.2.2963067.

To attend the Donor's meeting opening remarks and the press conference ALL media need to register and to collect special passes on Tuesday 12th March from the press desk in the Charlemagne lobby at 08h45. Access will be granted to the opening remarks, after which all journalists are requested to leave the building. Journalists will be allowed to re-enter into the Charlemagne building from 17.30, for the Press Conference to be held at 18.00.

Agenda and further information on the meeting can be found on the Joint EC/WB website:
http://www.seerecon.org/mdm