Address of H.E. Ilinka Mitreva, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Macedonia
before the Ambassadors of the NATO-member-countries in the Republic of Macedonia
Skopje, November 8, 2002
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me express my appreciation of the opportunity to meet you all today, as representatives of the NATO-member-countries in the Republic of Macedonia, at the very beginning of taking the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs.
I believe that you have already been well assured, by the Prime Minister Crvenkovski and the whole new Government of the Republic of Macedonia, either through your contacts or the public addresses and statements, and not least through its very first steps, of the new philosophy of governance.
This team is firmly devoted to work, and to work together by engaging all possible means and potentials to a resolute action aimed at re-establishing the Republic of Macedonia as a peaceful, secure, stable, unitary, democratic, and prospering country, fully integrated and contributing member of the Euro-Atlantic community.
We are aware that this is an extremely difficult and complex task. But we took this responsibility and we stand before the people of the Republic of Macedonia to fulfill it in the shortest possible time. We got their confidence on the last elections, and we must not fail.
Once we had been elected to undertake that task, we got the support of your Governments, as well as from the whole international community. We do respect that, and we will nurture the constructive spirit as a part of our future cooperation both with the governments and in the international organizations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The partnership of your countries, and the support of the Alliance itself, will be of decisive importance in the forthcoming years.
This region has still a way to go towards full stabilization, through the fight against terrorism, corruption, illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons, drugs, human beings and other forms of organized crime. We believe these challenges are to be faced first and foremost through organized regional approach, including the commitment of the Alliance.
Having in mind the reality of our security environment, Macedonia walks successfully on the difficult road of democratization and prosperity. One must not underestimate the significant steps this country has courageously made in overcoming some setbacks and divisions, which were engendered by the last year’s conflict.
The Framework Agreement, the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Macedonia, and the NATO Membership Action Plan remain the roadmaps for Macedonia's continued progress on the path towards full integration in the Euro-Atlantic family.
At this point I would like to stress that the dedication of the Government for the soonest possible integration in NATO is being built on the lasting commitment of all the main political forces in the country as well as the majority of citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, for full membership in the Alliance, during all of the past years of its independence. And let me add that this lasting and firm commitment has been a powerful force in encouraging some of the much needed political, democratic, economic and military reforms.
The most urgent tasks and goals contained in the Government Program are: complete re-establishing of peace in the country; re-establishing security on every part of the territory of the Republic of Macedonia; re-establishing the rule of law; full respect of the Constitution and the legal system as a whole; return of the forcefully displaced persons in their homes and rebuilding their houses; re-establishing the confidence among the citizens of different ethnic origin and elimination of the feeling of discrimination, fear and distrust.
All of these goals are not only compatible with the full implementation of the Framework Agreement; They are the implementation of this crucial document for my country, in the aspects which are of greatest importance in this political moment.
The security situation in the Republic of Macedonia - in spite of the obvious improvement with the process of implementation of the Ohrid Agreement, and the fair and democratic Parliamentary elections -- is not completely stabilized. The Government's determination to take over the responsibility for the security of its own country is a priority of utmost importance and urgency.
Nevertheless, there is still a need for a temporary international military assistance in accomplishing this multi-layer effect task. The improvement of the security environment of Macedonia means fostering the economic and political stability, as well as contributing to the improvement of the regional security environment.
One of the most important layers of this task is the urgent reform of the overall Security Sector, with the priority of the security forces, as well as completing the reforms of the military forces (This subject I will leave for my colleague Buckovski).
In this regard, the preliminary Annual National Program for preparation of the Republic of Macedonia for NATO membership for 2002-2003, will contain the basic guidelines for the political, economic and security reforms to be undertaken in accordance with the Government Program.
Our experts, who have been working continuously on the MAP implementation, have developed the first draft-version of the Annual National Program for 2002-2003, and it was sent in Brussels few weeks ago, for preliminary consultations with NATO. On the basis of these suggestions and comments, next week we will send the preliminary version of the Annual National Program in Brussels. In the course of the following month, along with the operationalization of the Working Program of the Government, the experts will develop the final version of the Annual National Program with more detailed and specific time-frames for the priority tasks, and allocated budgetary support.
Looking forward to the Prague Summit, and the further and even stronger commitments of the Alliance towards its enlargement, we believe that our new Annual National Program, will have even more focused pragmatic and elaborated substance.
I would also like to invite you to share with us any suggestions you may have. Your feedback has proven to be very valuable so far, and I hope it will be even more in the future.
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Macedonia will become a full member of the North-Atlantic Alliance. That will be a result of a decision of the member-states, on the basis of the achievements of the country in the relevant reforms. That battle has to be won in Macedonia, but it has to be recognized by each and every country in the Alliance.
I call upon you to monitor the progress of the country, to provide advice where appropriate, and to stay firm on the implementation of the “open door policy” in the forthcoming years.
Thank you.