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Macedonia Donor's Conference to Open in March VOA News 28 Jan 2002 20:48 UTC 
A long-delayed international donors' conference to consider desperately needed economic aid for Macedonia will open in Brussels March 12.
European Union External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten announced the date in the Belgian capital following last week's adoption by Macedonian lawmakers of a bill expanding the rights of local governments.
The legislation gives local officials more say in such areas as budgets, public services, culture, education and health.
Macedonia is one of the poorest countries in Europe and urgently needs the international aid to rebuild its devastated economy.
The measure was a key part of the peace accord in August that ended seven months of ethnic violence. But several nationalist groups within the Macedonian majority delayed its adoption, fearing that the measure would eventually lead to division of the country.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters.
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