NATO Headquarters 9 Dec. 2004

Address by Dr. Ilinka Mitreva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1) EAPC Foreign Affairs Ministers News 08/12/2004 - NATO NATO Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels Events Programme of the Foreign Ministers meeting at NATO HQ on 8 and 9 December 2004 Secretary General, Dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my distinct pleasure and honour to have the opportunity to share with you my thoughts and observations on the issue of the Balkans in 2005 and beyond. I was very glad to see this topic on our agenda, because it is a confirmation that the Balkans remains in the focus of the Alliance. It is actually very well timed, because for me, there is no doubt that the next yaar will be immensely important for the future of the Region. But, I have a very difficult, almost impossible task, to compress all that I have to say on this issue, in the 3 minutes that you, dear Secretary General, have so generously permitted for my address. Therefore, I will try to be as brief as possible. I will start by underlining the new spirit of togetherness, cooperation, and most of all, solidarity in the Region that now distinguishes it from the old stereotype. A spirit of solidarity embodied in our mutual, unreserved support for the aspirations of each and every country in the Region that seek membership in the Euro-Atlantic family of democracies. I am certain that I have the concurrence of my dear colleagues, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Albania and Croatia, Dr. Islami and Dr. Zuzul, when I say that the Charter of Partnership among Macedonia, Albania, Croatia and the US, is one of the main driving forces of this spirit of solidarity and cooperation in the Region. We chose to utilize our Partnership as a significant forum for mutual cooperation, as an impetus for domestic reforms, and as an umbrella for intensifying regional cooperation and promoting peace and stability in our region. We offered our support, assistance and experience to Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus demonstrating, in the best possible way, our inclusiveness, our togetherness and our solidarity - indeed the principles that the Alliance was built upon. Fully aware that the roadmap for our NATO integration'isvvia the Membership Action Plan, we decided to cooperate regionally in order to speed up our NATO and EU membership. The support of the members of the Alliance for our early membership, was and still is such a strong motivation for accelerated implementation of wide-ranging reforms in our countries. On our path to membership, we have changed ourse;.ves and we are changing the region. The Republic of Macedonia, individually and jointly, with the other Charter of Partnership countries, contributes to international security by participating in NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, as well as in the international coalition forces in Iraq, thus expanding our cooperation even beyond the borders of our Region. Furthermore, in accordance with the Alliance policy on partnership contribution to the security and stability at sub-regional level, at our latest meeting we decided to offer our regional cooperation experience to our friends in Caucasus and Central Asia. Dear Colleagues, As I said in the beginning, the next year will be immensely important for the future of the Region. We are conscious that potential challenges to the security and stability of the Balkans still exist, such as: the status of Kosovo, the future of Serbia and Montenegro, further stabilization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the threats of international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass-destruction, corruption and organized crime, and illicit trafficking. Of course, the most sensitive issue in the Balkans is Kosovo. The March events were a warning that the situation there is still vulnerable. The Republic of Macedonia supports the implementation of UN resolution 1244, as well as the "standards before status" policy of the International Community that should provide stability, rule of law, democratic institutions, economic development and a true multi-ethnic society. We support the dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina, with international community participation, and will welcome a solution that will not represent a risk for the security and the political and economic processes in the region. We are aware that the countries from the region cannot directly influence the resolution of this issue, but we can be of assistance to the International Community in the efforts to find an adequate solution for the future of Kosovo. In that regard, let me stress that we consider of particular importance the necessity for demarcation of the borderline between the Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro, in the part towards Kosovo, before the definition of the final status of Kosovo. My dear colleagues, Having reached the comprehensive strategic understanding of where this Region should be going, I also think that there is a need for a joint coordinated strategy between the Euro-Atlantic structures and the Region! I believe that such a strategy should include combined measures, primarily, but not exclusively, for two key interlocking areas: security and economic prosperity. I am referring to securing Euro-Atlantic assistance for: - The improvement of the components of security (coordinated response to the challenges of organised crime, corruption, border security, illicit trafficking and international terrorism) - Intensifying reforms in the security and defence sector, especially in the non-member countries of PfP/EAPC - Strengthening regional cooperation. The Ohrid border process and the implementation of the Adriatic Charter, as well as the SEECP, SEDM/SEEBRIG, NATO's SEEI, proved to be very successful mechanisms for improving the trust and cooperation among the countries in the region. In parallel, stronger support for the economic development of the region, including financial support, is needed as an essential precondition for stabilisation of the social environment. One fact has to be crystal-clear for everyone. Economic development is fundamental to the solution of most of the problems in the Balkans. The ED can, and should - much more vigorously than so far - be instrumental in encouraging such development. The Alliance and the Union indeed hold the key to the long-term stability and economic prosperity of the Balkans. Their combined leverage and commitment, confirmed by their successful cooperation in supporting the stability and reform processes in the Balkans, has proven 1.0 be invaluable. Therefore, the reinforcement of the credibility and visibility of the Euro-Atlantic future of the Balkans is of utmost significance. Ladies and Gentlemen, Being certain that the Secretary General is already checking his watch and thinking how to interrupt me, allow me to conclude by saying that the Balkans we all want to see is - a Balkans of multi-ethnic and democratic societies, a Balkans of open, but well controlled borders, and a Balkans fully integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures. An early invitation for Macedonia, Albania and Croatia to join the Alliance will be major step toward the accomplishment of such a goal. I am confident that this goal is realistic and achievable, and I urge you to streamline our individual and joint efforts in 2005 in that direction. Thank you. 1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.