Yugoslav and ethnic Albanian representatives who agreed a ceasefire for southern Serbia on Monday should hold face-to-face peace negotiations within a week, NATO Secretary-General Mr George Robertson said.
He urged all people in crisis zones in southern Serbia, Kosovo and northern Macedonia to stay calm as the Yugoslav army and police prepared to enter a tense part of the NATO-ordained buffer zone exploited by ethnic Albanian guerrillas.
In a statement welcoming the ceasefire, Mr Robertson emphasised the commitment of the signatories to the ceasefire to enter into direct dialogue within one week .
He called for renunciation of violence and full support for efforts to find a peaceful long-term solution to disputes.
NATO wants to help Yugoslavia regain control of territory seized by ethnic Albanian guerrillas who have exploited its no-go order to Serbian forces after alliance troops entered Kosovo in June, 1999, and whose attacks on Serb forces threaten a new Balkans conflict.
"I urge all parties, within southern Serbia, Kosovo and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to remain calm and to lend their understanding and support to these efforts," Mr Robertson's statement said.
"NATO will continue firmly and fairly to do all it call...to bring lasting peace, security, stability and prosperity to the Balkans region," he added.