| Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC July 15, 2004 Macedonian Territorial Organisation AgreementWe commend Macedonia on reaching one of the key milestones in the implementation of the Framework Agreement of 2001, by concluding an agreement regarding the laws on Territorial Organisation and the City of Skopje. This agreement strengthens local democracy at the municipal level while fully respecting the spirit and the letter of the Ohrid Agreement.
We believe this agreement, which was reached after long and intensive discussions between the coalition partners, demonstrates the governing coalition's commitment to developing a unified multi-ethnic society, to holding local elections as scheduled in October and to promoting its long-term goal of European integration. We congratulate Macedonia on taking this important step and bringing this agreement before parliament for consideration. We encourage Macedonia's political and civic organizations to ensure that the country continues to make progress on other essential reforms, including laws on the use of languages and symbols, in a consensual and democratic manner. # # # 2004/775
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