Address of H.E. Boris Trajkovski before

the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

 

 Strasbourg, 27^th June 2002

 

 

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished Friends,

 

It is my pleasure and honour to address today the Parliamentary Assembly and to share with you the fact that the conflict we have faced a year ago in the Republic of Macedonia is overcome. The process of stabilisation is progressing successfully, though there are still forces that are making attempts to reverse this process. However, we are strongly committed to build our future, even more vigorously, upon the principles we have always cherished – the principles of democracy, protection of human rights and the rule of law.

 

These are the corner stones of the Council of Europe, an organisation that is to be praised for the reaffirmation and promotion of the great pan-European values, devoted to the processes of integration and democratisation. The Council of Europe, being a genuine promoter of the European idea and vehement supporter of the expansion of the European integration, proved to be indispensable over-reaching organization. Those efforts are visible through the promotion of the idea of “Europe without dividing lines”, for peace, justice and stability.

 

The Republic of Macedonia stands ready to engage in the activities for the development of the new European institutional structures, including those organised or supported by the Council of Europe.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Since the last time I have addressed this Assembly, at least two major events have changed the reality we live in. Both the armed conflict in the Republic of Macedonia and the September 11^th terrorist attacks influenced the understanding of the correlation between the internal and external threats to our security and stability and between our internal capacities and the need for external support for dealing with those threats.

 

The armed conflict in Macedonia has threatened the values of democracy and inter-ethnic coexistence. Those threats were defeated jointly – by the commitment of the country to strive for peace and interethnic stability and with the valuable support and assistance of the international community, including the Council of Europe.

 

Though the scale and the quantity of support might vary, the countries of the world recognize the fact that they need each other in order to fight the challenges. Countries, regardless whether they are from the same continent or region, but share the same democratic values and commitments and see their future as common one, have more than a moral obligation to help those in need.  The response to terrorism as a new challenge has to be consistent, without compromise, while fully respecting and protecting human rights and rule of law.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

We welcome the support of the Council of Europe to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia and its constructive approach to overcoming the crisis.

 

Moreover, the Council of Europe has had an active role in the process of implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, through experts who invested their knowledge and skills in drafting the constitutional amendments and the accompanying legislation that derived from the Framework Agreement, most notably, the Law on Local Self –Government.

 

In this regard, I would like to express the appreciation of the people of Macedonia for all the efforts that this organisation is making and to reiterate my belief that the joint cooperation will continue in all aspects including the implementation of the Framework Agreement.

 

The reconstruction of the houses of the internally displaced persons is one of the most important elements of confidence building and it is of utmost importance for it to be achieved before the coming winter. I would like to ask all of you as representatives of your countries, but also as members of this Assembly, to request a twofold support for the reconstruction of the basic infrastructure and the homes of Macedonian citizens, through your national institutions and through support in the Parliamentary Assembly, by allocation of appropriate funds in timely and proper manner. Let me avail of this opportunity also to thank the Council of Europe Development Bank for its timely response to alleviate the consequences of the crisis through donation of 1 million euros for purchasing the basic supplies for the IDPs and a loan of 5 million euros for social housing.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia has made a great progress by adopting the amendments of the Constitution and the 15 most important laws on the implementation of the Framework Agreement. With the expected adoption of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, the undertakings of the current composition of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, with regard to the Ohrid Agreement, will be successfully completed. The remaining obligations will be considered by the new Assembly.

 

It is of crucial importance to deploy all our efforts that the forthcoming elections in Macedonia be organized in accordance with the international legal standards and criteria’s in a democratic manner and spirit. Newly elected representatives should have the political authority to implement the rest of the provisions of the Framework Agreement. I am confident that first the domestic institutions and civil society representatives as well as the presence of the international community are strong guarantee for fair and democratic elections. Since the members of this Parliamentary Assembly will be monitoring the elections, I would like to express my firm belief that after September elections Macedonia will be reaffirmed as a democratic state with ever-rising standards and democracy.

 

The forthcoming parliamentary elections are third in the row in our democracy. At this moment the main issue of concern is still the situation in the former crisis regions where the principle of the rule of law yet remains to be fully established.  

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

If I am to summarise the prospect of my country in mid-term perspective, I see it as a “Stable and Prosperous Macedonia as part of the European Union and North Atlantic Alliance”.

 

Vision statements are easy to pronounce but difficult to achieve and in order to become reality they requires motivation and of course - strong efforts to accomplish. The inspiration we gain are the reality the people of Macedonia live in, the motivation are the arrangements Macedonia has concluded with the European Union and NATO and the achievement of visions depends on the citizens of my country, who must take their destiny and that of future generations in their own hands.

 

The Republic of Macedonia, while thankful for the humanitarian and financial assistance has received, still needs boost for its development and prosperity. The political solutions to the political and social problems are not the ultimate goal. They are reasonable undertakings only when being bases to improve the wellbeing. The leaders have the main responsibility for it and for achieving prosperity.

 

Unfortunately the present reality in today’s Europe shows that unemployed people, predominantly young, are easier to be seduced by extremist and militant ideas, and are more supportive of the violent solutions. One of the ways to combat extremist ideas is to have appropriate education and employment opportunities which will contribute towards higher self-esteem and greater awareness that the fear from the other is no more than an excuse for the fear of uncertainty.

 

My vision as a president is to lead the Republic of Macedonia through democracy in prosperity, building a society based on individuals, not ethnic groups; citizens and not majorities and minorities. The country has to build democracy based on individual and not collective rights and responsibilities. I would like to see Macedonia as a country where every individual can achieve her or his God-given potential through hard work and merit, a country in which all citizens, regardless of their background can fulfil their expectations.

 

However, though everyone is aware of the significance of the implementation of the Framework Agreement, it should be clearly spelled out that nobody has the right to misperceive its aim. We have to acknowledge there are serious attempts to interpret extensively and absurdly its content, threatening the very meaning of the spirit of the agreement. This could drag us into new tensions and destabilization that could be fatal to the future of our state.

 

Democracy is expensive, and it can not be supported with donations and foreign assistance. Macedonia needs a booming economy that can pay for the implementations of the expensive compromises that in the political terms makes Macedonia better place for living. It is proved that civil rights cannot be fully enjoyed without equal enjoyment of economic and social rights.

 

I firmly believe that the creation of better tomorrow is an achievable vision for Macedonia, and therefore we must undertake all efforts for that goal.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

As I mentioned before, the main vision of Macedonia is to become a full-fledge member of European Union and NATO.

 

The process of becoming a full member of the Union has been accelerated last year, with the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the ratification of which is successfully progressing. In this regard I would like to call once again upon the remaining EU countries to proceed with the ratification. This Agreement, defines the main goals that Macedonia should focus on, in order to join the European family of nations. This is a joint project and should be implemented for mutual benefit.

 

Macedonia’s interest for joining NATO is not an issue of political prestige but a question of promoting stability and security for the whole region. I strongly believe as well as the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, that the Alliance is recognizing in addition to the security interest also the moral responsibility to accept Macedonia as a full member in the structures of NATO.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The stability of every part of Europe is a precondition to the stability of Europe as a whole. We need the regional cooperation which should eliminate the stereotypes, mistrust and conflicts, and promote good neighbourly relations, strengthening of the democracy on all levels, including the local one as well as cross-border cooperation. In this context, allow me to recall the recently adopted Vilnius Declaration on Regional Cooperation and Consolidation of Democratic Stability in Greater Europe.

 

The role of the Council of Europe is most visible by promoting and strengthening democracy. This should be nurtured further. In this spirit and in view of fostering multicultural and inter-religious dialogue, I would like to inform you that in November this year I will host a regional forum on Dialogue among civilizations. It will be conducted in cooperation with UNESCO within UN global agenda and its action plan on this issue.

 

I am sure that we all agree that the culture of democracy is the only future of mankind, and the best of the possible ways for our prosperity.

 

Thank you for your attention.