The European Union voiced strong support today for the government of Macedonia in its fight against ethnic Albanian rebels but urged Skopje to pursue efforts to resolve the crisis through negotiation.
"The EU will stand by the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia in this critical moment in its history," Swedish Prime Minister Mr Goeran Persson, the summit host, said at a news conference.
"It must be clear that extremism has no place in 21st century Europe," Mr Persson said, adding that the EU welcomed steps already taken "to promote a broad political dialogue between elected representatives" on both sides.
AFP