Address
by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Boris Trajkovski
Your Excellencies,
It has been said, "History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely
once they have exhausted all other alternatives."
In Southeastern
Europe, we have witnessed conflicts that have ravaged our land, cities
and homes. We have witnessed the tragedies of our neighbors, friends
and countrymen. We have witnessed the endless march of refugees. We
have witnessed the hardship of material poverty. Thus, we have exhausted
all other alternatives and we must now behave wisely.
Today, we
have in front of us issues related to the definition of a joint vision
for the development of our region. Each country of South East Europe
should look to the future with new visions and ideas. Each country should
leave to the past all of the traumas and frustrations and leave to the
dustbin of history the wars and disputes which have rocked our region.
Each country should face the challenges of cooperation. This is the
only way for our region to overcome isolation which has often characterized
the region.
Recent events
have paved the way for cooperation and democratic reforms. This is no
time to follow the seductive path of gradualism, so we must act quickly
and decisively. Now is the time to make a real commitment to democracy,
regional stability and prosperity. Now is the time to oppose ethnic
nationalism. Now is the time to rebuild our economies after 50 years
of failed economic policies. Now is the time to build a better world
for the sake of our children. Now is the time to do justice and to serve
our citizens. Never have conditions been more favorable than today for
these actions. We must not let this opportunity slip by.
Peace and
prosperity requires dialogue, patience, humility and mutual respect.
Furthermore, peace and prosperity must be based on mutual interest.
The Republic of Macedonia is determined to promote peace and prosperity
in the region by supporting international and regional initiatives aimed
to promote stability and by building good relations with our neighbors.
Your Excellencies,
We welcome
the presence of the newly elected President of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia, and I would like to congratulate him for his victory.
I would also like to extend to him and to the people of the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia, support in their strong determination to build
a truly democratic society. At the same time, I would like to emphasize
our strong support in the democratic process in the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia. I am truly convinced that these events will lead to the
overall stabilization of the region, closer cooperation between all
states and ultimately, peace and stability.
Your Excellencies,
The Republic
of Macedonia supports the activities of the international community
directed towards achieving lasting peace and development of democracy.
We give strong support to the efforts for stabilization of the situation
in Kosovo. We are particularly interested because of the repercussions
for regional security.
The Republic
of Macedonia believes that only by respecting UN Security Council Resolution
1244 it is possible to achieve long-term stabilization and in this way
to finally relax the region. This includes strengthening of the process
for the reestablishment of peace and stability, respect of the inviolability
of borders, safeguarding the multiethnic character of states, secure
and free return of the refugees and for the economic reconstruction
and stabilization of Kosovo.
The Republic
of Macedonia supports the Dayton Peace Agreement believing that the
existing difficulties will be overcome with the assistance of the whole
international community. It is of particular importance that we commit
ourselves to giving support to all those who are truly involved in strengthening
peace, in the reconstruction and in the return of the refugees to their
homes.
My country
encourages efforts for the creation of a democratic, multi-ethnic society,
where the rights of the citizens regardless of their ethnic, religious
and cultural origin will be fully and equally respected. At the same
time, it is necessary to stop the inter-ethnic violence and to create
the necessary conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons,
regardless of their ethnic belonging, as bases for the construction
of a democratic civil society.
Your Excellencies,
The Republic
of Macedonia actively supports and participates in the Stability Pact
exactly because it promotes development of democracy and economic prosperity
through regional cooperation. Our states can contribute to peace and
prosperity of all of continental Europe. Much like last century's Marshall
Plan, the needs are tremendous and the risks of doing nothing far outweigh
the risks of being bold and generous.
During the
last year and throughout this year, the South East European Cooperation
Process has closely cooperated with the Stability Pact. We are ready
to further coordinate and cooperate with the Stability Pact's activities
whose goal is the building of a common approach that brings democracy,
stability and economic prosperity to the region.
Prime Minister
Ljubco Georgievski will address the issue of the Stability Pact and
Macedonia's involvement in greater detail shortly.
Your Excellencies,
My vision
for Southeastern Europe is to see this region as a part of the whole
of Europe through cooperation, coordination and in friendship.
My vision
for Southeastern Europe is based on the principles of justice, prosperity,
democracy and a market economy. Most of the problems in our region stem
from actual or perceived injustices, where those injustices are a part
of a mythical past or in fact are real injustices still present today.
People will
build a just society, if they are properly educated. If our citizens
can provide for their families, they will be able to abide justice.
However, life spent in endless poverty or dependency on the government
cannot help to bring justice to all our people. As we have seen, desperation
breeds despotism.
Justice
must also be foremost in our territorial sovereignty. We cannot re-draw
borders and boundaries, making smaller units of ever purer ethnic states.
We cannot survive as a region if ethnicity becomes the sole defining
justification for statehood.
Essentially,
the ideals of justice, prosperity and democracy come down to ensuring
basic human dignity. This dignity does not arise from government bureaucracies
or institutions of our states. Human dignity is God-given and a part
of our nature that all too often has been abused or ignored.
I have given
you my vision for Southeastern Europe. Now, allow me to lay out the
challenges which I believe face us and how, through cooperation, we
can meet these challenges.
First, our
people must change their habits, mentalities and thought processes.
Old ways of thinking must change and new ways adopted. We must start
to develop a strong civil society that is the basis for economic and
democratic growth. A strong civil society acts as a watchdog against
government tyranny. We must create that social space between the family
and the state where people leam how to organize to meet their own needs.
Second,
in the economic field, we hope to increase regional economic cooperation
through foreign investment. Foreign investors know that small markets
offer little return on investment. However, by enlarging market opportunities
through regional cooperation, including the elimination of obstacles
that prohibit the flow of goods and services between borders, conditions
for expending intra-regional trading will be created, which will have
positive impact on the national economies and increase the standard
of living. In this regard, the Republic of Macedonia is seeking support
for the Corridor 8 project, which is of crucial importance not only
for Macedonia and South Eastern Europe, but Europe, Asia and the Middle
East.
Third, in
the political arena, we may have our differences and disagreements.
But we should focus on those areas where we do agree. Most notably,
this includes making our reform processes similar and in the direction
of European Union standards. This also includes the building of lasting
national institutions.
Fourth,
in the judicial area, we can achieve real results by cooperating on
a regional level, especially in the fight against organized crime, and
the improvement of customs and border procedures.
Finally,
we know that, all too well, security and stability have been themes
of great importance to all of us throughout the past decade. Collectively,
we are members of either NATO or the PfP. Those of us in the PfP actively
seek NATO membership. Regardless, we must all refocus our collective
efforts to improve security and thus provide stability. This can be
achieved through greater efforts at conflict prevention and crisis management.
Your Excellencies,
We will
still face problems in the region. We should not deny that fact nor
bury our heads in the sand hoping that those problems will go away.
Instead, we should confront them, calmly and collectively, and solve
them in cooperation and in friendship.
If we are
to further utilize the Stability Pact and other initiatives aimed to
promote stability, if we are united in the goal of bringing prosperity
and peace to the people we serve, if we are to fight the good fight
and create just and fair societies for all our citizens, then we must
remember this: "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
I believe
that South Eastern Europe will never be stable or prosperous until every
country embraces democratic values and market reforms. Either we progress
together or not at all. Either we cooperate and move forward or we stay
mired in the status quo.
As we prepare
for the meeting in Zagreb next month where we will meet with our counterparts
in the European Union, let me lay out this challenge. Let us bring to
the table, as a region, a real commitment to regional cooperation and
friendship. Let us provide our counterparts with a regional plan for
action. Let us bring to the table fresh, new and innovative ideas. Let
us prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we, as a region, are prepared
to work with each other in achieving real progress and reform. Let us
go back to our cities and our citizens and lead them in achieving real
progress and reform.
In closing
I would once again like to thank you for agreeing to attend and participate
in this summit. As I stated at the beginning of my remarks, these are
truly historic times. We must seize the day in achieving our goals and
our dreams. While we can count on our friends in the European Union
and in the United States, ultimately, it is up to us, as leaders, and
up to our citizens, to work toward regional peace, stability, security
and economic prosperity for our children, our grand children and all
future generations.
Thank you.
