The Association of European Journalists (AEJ) plans a visit to Macedonia for its members, October 7-11. The trip is scheduled in advance of parliamentary elections October 18. The goal is to seek solutions to Balkan tensions.

The schedule of events includes visits and interviews with Macedonian politicians and U.N. officials as well as a party rally. Journalists who are interested in economic matters may meet with heads of major companies, the Chamber of Commerce and the agency for privatization. It is possible to travel throughout Macedonia; any part of the country can reached by car in less than three hours.

Participants have the option of a visit to the Yugoslav province of Kosovo. The border is 20 km (about 12 miles) from Skopje, and Pristina is 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) away. A Yugoslav visa must be obtained in advance. It will not be available from the Yugoslav embassy in Skopje. Participants should obtain their visas independently.

Goran Mihajlovski, president of the AEJ Macedonian section, is handling arrangements. He can be reached at (389-91) 112-695. More information about the visit is available at: http://www.aej.org/planner/index.html

AEJ was founded in 1961. It has more than 1,500 members throughout Europe. The group offers access to sources of information about Europe, fosters understanding among countries and promotes the ethics of reporting in the European Union. It organizes seminars and other events with EU institutions, national governments, the private sector and independent organizations.