PUTIN INSTRUCTS IVANOV TO VISIT MACEDONIA AND YUGOSLAVIA SOON








STOCKHOLM, MARCH 9, 2001 /FROM RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENTS ANNA BOBINA AND LYUDMILA BOZHKO/ -- Instructed by president Vladimir Putin, Igor Ivanov, Russian foreign minister, is in plan to visit Macedonia and Yugoslavia soon. According to a RIA Novosti correspondent, this fact was disclosed by Minister Ivanov who appeared at the Friday press conference in Stockholm.


	Plans call to discuss the moves with Yugoslav and Macedonian leaders, projected for stabilising the regional situation by the international community, said the minister.


	The coming visit will also cover issues of bilateral cooperation.


	In Ivanov's words, he met with the EU three to exchange opinions on the Balkan crisis, especially the situation in the valley of Presevo and on the Yugoslav-Macedonian border.


	The sides discussed possible measures to ease tensions in the region and stressed the importance of close cooperation between all international institutions involved in the settlement of the Balkan crisis.