Welcoming remarks

by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¹, Antonio Milošoski
at the Ministerial Dinner at the EAPC Security Forum

Dear colleagues, dear guests, dear friends,

I am really delighted being Host Minister of such an important event here in Macedonia.

And first of all I wish to warmly welcome all of you, especially those who are coming here for the first time.

Ohrid has always been a place where past and future meet together.  And it is a place that has to do really a lot with the Macedonian history but also with our modern political life.

Ohrid has also been a place in our more recent history where the framework agreement, the milestone of the Macedonian modern democracy, was signed as a universal testimony that open issues in a country can and should be resolved through the democratic systems of institution.

First, I would like to say a few words about the region and about the Kosovo issue.  An issue that has been the focus of our attention and engagement for longer periods.  We have still not solved the puzzle of complete and full integration of the region in the Euro-Atlantic structures.  The gap in this puzzle is the resolution of the final status of this issue.

The proposal by Mister Ahtisaari has been tabled.  The negotiations formal and informal once again on their dynamics.  And I would agree with what Mister Secretary General has said, we should avoid unnecessary delays in finding a final solution.

I would expect that whatever the final outcome, the solution of the final status of Kosovo will be adopted in the context of the interest of the whole region, reducing furthermore stability and cooperation among the neighbours.

Speaking about the future of the region, the other side of the equation is of course the region’s prompt integration into NATO sectors.  We were indeed glad and satisfied with the message from last year’s Riga Summit of NATO which opened a new stage in the region’s integration in the Euro-Atlantic institutions.  And the open possibility to invite to membership the three map countries and the inclusions of three new countries under the programme Partnership for Peace.

I believe that in this setting and tomorrow at the morning panel discussion group too will be interesting debates on this issue, hoping that constructive ideas will be presented aiming at overcoming open issues in the region, including the status quo in Kosovo situation which is not part of the solution.

Therefore I should underline that all of us here prefer a status than status quo which is not a solution.

In the context of the comprehensive approach, the topic of Afghanistan seemed to be unavoidable.  Many human lives have been sacrificed.  Efforts and funds invested through the ISAF Mission to put an end to the suffering of the people of Afghanistan.

As the Foreign Minister of Macedonia, I am proud that I can speak about this issue from a perspective of our modest but for us very important contribution to the endeavours of more progressive forces worldwide.  Yet military victory does not suffice.  The challenges ahead of us, institution building, development and winning the hearts and minds of the Afghani people are the greatest challenge for us.  That will ensure functional civilian-military cooperation on one hand and coordination of relevant international organizations on the other hand.

We can witness the swift changes of the concept of the security challenges worldwide.  We often call them asymmetric or modern time challenges.  Yet many of them have no common features except that they are all our modern time challenges. 

Energy security is one of the most vulnerable issues which is also most susceptible to political manipulations.  Whether economic energy monopolies will have a decisive impact on the world of politics and whether this can be controlled most likely depends on the positions we will assume on this issue.  How to prevent abuse of economic dependence for political purposes.  How to prevent the transforming of energy dominance into a political one.

Many issues have been raised in Zagreb a few days ago but still many answers are to be given.

Dear colleagues, I hope that this second Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council will give us an opportunity for a fruitful discussion.  And I think that I will mention the key words that should be present in our discussions and in our common work.  It is the word we, it is the word our and it is the word responsibility. 

Because when we speak about Kosovo, when we speak about Afghanistan and other issues, we are those who should offer possibilities for a good solution.  We are those who care about the responsibility.  And our nations are those who should fulfil the commitments in order to achieve what we all aim, that is Europe in peace and united.  But also to spread democracy beyond Europe and beyond the border of NATO Allies.

Thank you very much. 

And once again, welcome in Ohrid and welcome in Macedonia.