Opening remarks

by the Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¹, Nikola Gruevski at the EAPC Security Forum

[First part of the speech in Macedonian]

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, membership in NATO is the highest foreign policy priority for the Republic of Macedonia. For more than 13 years, Macedonia has been a loyal and capable partner to the Alliance. Those have been years during which Macedonia has continuously been developing its individual capacities in accordance with the Euro-Atlantic standards, and years in which thanks to security investments, Macedonia has become a contributor to security and stability in the region and beyond.

A functional multi-ethnic democracy guarantees the full implementation of Euro-Atlantic standards in its political, economic, and security and defence institutions. While I am aware there is always room to do more and to do better, I am proud of the significant progress we have achieved in all our target areas: rule of law and strengthening of the institutions and judiciary system continues improvement of the rights of all ethnic communities; dialogue and consultations with the opposition on the national Euro-Atlantic agenda; a comprehensive fight against corruption and all forms of organized crime and certainly enhancing the economy to enable the sustainable growth of a [inaudible] and improving the lives of all our citizens. Notably we achieved a record GDP growth of seven percent in the first quarter of 2007.

We are strongly dedicated to defence reforms and have worked to have stable financing of defence activities at 2.3 percent of GDP. Additionally, we have increased investments in the modernization of the army of the Republic of Macedonia. To create more effective contributions to defence operations, we have significantly reduced the national caveats of our troops in international operations. Macedonian soldiers together with the soldiers from other member states and troop contributing nations participate in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In those highly insecure places, we work together in the common fight against global security threats and [inaudible] our own protection of global peace and security.

Closer to home, we contribute to security and stability in Europe for our participation in the EU mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Closer still to home, and perhaps more significantly, Macedonia supports security in the southern Balkans through the provision of logistical support to KFOR and other Balkan operations. At the beginning of this month, we achieved full operational capability through our host nation support and co-ordination centre. We did this ahead of schedule in excellent partnership with our NATO headquarters in Skopje. I believe this is emblematic of what Macedonia and NATO can do together and it's a clear illustration of our commitment to coming up to NATO standards.

Macedonia has successfully fostered excellent partnership and regional neighbourly relations. We consistently strive to improve on those relations because, after all, this region is our common home. Together with the partners of the Adriatic Charter, Croatia and Albania, with the valuable support of the fourth partner the United States of America, Macedonia works intensively on all activities with which the individual roles of the partners are continuously improved as their joint contribution to the security and development of the region.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, here in Macedonia we understand that an invitation to join NATO is the result of hard work and delivering results; 2007 has been a year fully utilized in preparation for our anticipated accession in the Euro-Atlantic family. Only 10 months are left until the next Alliance Summit and enlargement round. I'm convinced that at the NATO Summit in Bucharest next year the Republic of Macedonia, together with Croatia and Albania, we will receive a hard-earned and well-deserved invitation for membership in the Alliance based on performance and commitment.

This is will be a great success for the Republic of Macedonia, a great success for the Balkans, for the Alliance, and for the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. An invitation would be an additional confirmation of the core criteria of the enlargement process of the Euro-Atlantic family; membership of the countries that commit to and meet NATO standards, [inaudible] that perform consistently. I am confident that the accession of the A3 countries into the Alliance will serve as a model for other countries in the region and beyond, that share the ideas and values that NATO represents. It will also mean the expansion of the vital security zone that is in the basic interest of member states and Alliance Partners.

In conclusion I would like to emphasize that the Alliance today is more than its 26 member nations. In many of their activities, the members are supported by the Partner nations. The need for open and fruitful discussions on potentially controversial issues today can only enhance both NATO and the EAPC. I am convinced that this Security Forum is an extraordinary chance to exchange expertise and insights into those issues.

I wish you great success in your work today and thank you for your attention.