Address
by H.E.
Srgjan Kerim,
Ph.D. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this crucial period for the enhancement of the Euro-Atlantic Security
and for building the stability in the Region of South-Eastern Europe,
we all have a chance to turn a new page and make this Region a place of
peace, stability and prosperity. This can be achieved only by taking advantage
of the variety of cultures and traditions, instead of making each of them
a goal in itself and a weapon for destruction and suffering. This is not
an easy task or a task that can be achieved in a brief period. The most
important lesson for SEE to be drawn from the past, particularly from
the last decade, is that maintenance of the balance of power does not
necessitate regional powers, but rather regional cooperation and wider
integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures.
With the victory of the democratic forces in Belgrade, we believe that
the point of no return concerning the democratic development in the Region
has been reached. The countries from the Region now have a historic task
and responsibility to secure this momentum. None of them can afford to
be indifferent as far as common values are concerned: building of democratic
institutions, respect of human rights including minority rights, as well
as sound market economy.
It was not by chance that, upon gaining its independence, the Republic
of Macedonia opted for continuous development of good relations with its
neighbors and integration in the Euro-Atlantic community of nations. The
Macedonian model has its roots in the centuries old tradition of multi-ethnic
and multi-confessional life. In the last decade, we believe, we have proved
in practice the successfulness of the model of sound inter-ethnic relations,
even in this Region. This achievement has been the basis upon which the
Republic of Macedonia became a producer of security and stability in the
Region.
The rationale behind it is the position of the Republic of Macedonia:
security and strong regional cooperation must be based upon prevention
of crisis and conflicts, rather than on crisis management. In the case
of Macedonia, the pursuance of such a policy has meant, inter alia, not
taking part in the armed conflicts in the last decade.
Thus, my country has been and remains an active supporter of the overall
efforts of the international community (in addition to NATO, the UN, EU
and the OSCE) aimed at alleviation and resolution of conflicts in the
Region, including the Kosovo crisis.
As a host to the NATO forces, the Republic of Macedonia is developing
a successful cooperation, and is determined to further enhance its cooperation
with the Alliance in the interest of the stability of the wider Region.
In this regard, we support the recent steps undertaken by KFOR and UNMIK
for the prevention and suppression of the illegal possession and trafficking
in arms, as well as the trafficking in people and narcotics, as one of
the biggest security problems and challenges in the Region.
The Republic of Macedonia has succeeded not only in up-grading its relations
with the neighboring countries to the level of good-neighborly cooperation,
but has also played an active role in setting up the Regional cooperation.
My country has given its substantial contribution to the Bucharest Charter
on Good Neighborly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in South-Eastern
Europe. The Informal Summit convened in Skopje by the Republic of Macedonia
in the capacity of Chairman-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation
Process (SEECP) paved the way for comeback of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia in the process of regional cooperation. The goal of enhancing
stability, security and prosperity of the Region is indivisible. It can
be achieved only by effective participation of all its countries.
The Republic of Macedonia welcomed the initial democratic changes in
the FRY which opened serious prospective for the Region as a whole. As
a key country for the stability in the Region, the Republic of Macedonia
is prepared to contribute to the further stabilization of the situation
in Kosovo, advocating the consistent and fall implementation of the UN
Security Council Resolution 1244, of the principles of not changing the
borders and the essential and substantial autonomy within FRY (Serbia).
The Republic of Macedonia supports the decisiveness of the Alliance
in its commitment to remain open for accession by those European states,
which can contribute to the farther realization of the principles of the
Washington Treaty and can also contribute to the stability, security and
prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic area. In this respect, the Republic of
Macedonia considers that the enlargement will contribute to the strengthening
of NATO and its capacity for a better response to the security challenges;
it will diminish the old artificial dividing lines; and will contribute
to the development of the stability and democracy in South-Eastern Europe.
The Republic of Macedonia welcomes the progress in the implementation
of the Membership Action Plan process and hopes that the results will
be one of the criteria for extending invitations in the next enlargement
round. Having its future NATO membership as one of the highest priorities,
my country is looking forward to achieving this goal at the earliest opportunity.
One of the key preconditions for the peace and stability in the Region
is the sustainable economic growth and development of the Region as a
whole. This is why Macedonia has signed free-trade agreements with almost
all countries from the Region and has launched an initiative within the
Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe for removal of trade and transport
barriers at the regional level.
The Stability Pact for SEE is indispensable as a unique process based
upon the interconnection of its three pillars: building democratic institutions;
sustainable economic development; and security.
We are aware that this is a long-term process and not an easy task but,
still, we all - NATO, EU and the countries from the Region- now have to
make endeavors for producing added value in its implementation.
The forthcoming Financial Conference for FRY, as well as the Regional
Financial Conference within the framework of the Stability Pact represent
an excellent chance in this respect.
The Zagreb Summit of EU and SAA countries was not only an encouraging
event which underlined the need for profound cooperation between the EU
and the concerned Balkan countries, but also an opportunity to embrace
in the process of European integration all those who were not included
in the Agenda 2000.
Noting with pleasure the comprehensive work done in the EAPC and PfP
reflected in the Documents in front of us, let me just mention some of
the priority security issues of the Region in respect of which the Republic
of Macedonia has initiated activities in the framework of the EAPC Action
Plan 2000-2002 and in support of the NATO SEE Initiative: the problems
of illegally owned small arms and light weapons (SALW); Environmental
issues related to cross-border crisis situations and military activities;
Responses to civil emergency situations and disasters; Defense budgeting;
etc. My country will also continue its active contribution to the joint
activities towards improving the capacities for conflict prevention.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the feedback between enhanced
Euro-Atlantic security and promotion of regional cooperation. This process
has no alternative. Let us therefore work together towards the fulfillment
of these goals. The Trans-Atlantic link is the indispensable framework
for it. This is exactly why the Republic of Macedonia considers its full
membership in NATO within the next round of enlargement to be of highest
priority. Thank you.
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