INSIDE: INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, H.E.

ANTONIO MILOSOSKI

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independent Macedonian diplomacy, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, visited the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 June.

50
EDITION 2011

EDITORIAL

DIPLOMATIC NEWS

EXPERIENCE OF VISA LIBERALIZATION IMPLEMENTATION PROMOTES COOPERATION IN ALL AREAS OF SOCIETY

In the process of integration of the Republic of Macedonia into the European Union, the visa liberalization is one of the crucial benefits and is of very practical importance for all our citizens and for the process of further harmonization of the Macedonia society with the EU. This benefit has a particularly positive effect on the younger generation being the mainstay of Macedonias growth into a future member state of the European Union. As a chief of the national team working on the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU, I have to stress that the lifting of visas was a result of the hard work of the Macedonian administration and the immense support that our country received in the course of the dialogue from all institutions of the Union and its member states. By meeting all conditions of the Visa Liberalization Roadmap and receiving the highest grades for that process from the European Commission and the member states, Macedonia showed that it is ready and has the capacity to meet the remaining responsibilities and reforms on its way to full-fledged membership of the EU. The experience of the implementation of the visa liberalization, since its coming into effect in December 2009 to the present day, confirms that it made communication between people easier, improved business opportunities, boosted sharing of ideas and promoted cooperation in all areas of society. Our overall assessment is that it is being carried out without any major obstacles and that a great many Macedonian citizens took the opportunity of visa free travel. However, the increased number of asylum applications from Macedonian citizens raised concern with the Government as a result of which relevant institutions reinforced activities to stall the visa liberalization misuse. We enhanced local informative campaigns and control of borders, travel agencies, transporters and individuals suspected of encouraging or organizing the asylum seekers travels. In addition, a legal procedure has been launched for holding accountable those who abuse the visa liberalization and for suspending temporarily the passports of the fake asylum seekers. We expect the new measures to put a stop to this undesired trend. The energy and effort we invested in the visa liberalization process and in dealing with the surge of asylum seekers are confirmation of our unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges on our way to the EU. With the positive results of our institutions work we expect to keep the visa liberalization as one of the most significant EU-integration benefits for all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

PM GRUEVSKI MEETS EU ENLARGEMENT COMMISSIONER FLE

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski met EU Enlargement Commissioner tefan Fle in Brussels on 23 June and informed him about the agenda of reforms being carried out with the aim of meeting the Copenhagen membership criteria. As regards the name dispute, he laid out details of the process of seeking out a solution to this open issue in the relations with Greece and expressed strong will and dedication to finding a solution and unblocking the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia. Commissioner Fle praised the well organized elections and also raised the issue of the reforms, especially those in the judiciary and administration, as well as the fight against corruption. He emphasized that the end of 2011 was a good moment for EU expansion toward the Western Balkans. On the sidelines of the sitting of the European Council in Brussels, Prime Minister Gruevski had a meeting with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, at which both officials said they were willing to solve the name issue. Prime Minister Gruevski, accompanied by Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki, attended also the Summit of the European Peoples Party.

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TUVALU ESTABLISHED

On 29 June, the Republic of Macedonia and Tuvalu established diplomatic relations at the level of ambassadors. Tuvalu is the 132nd country that officially recognized the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name.

MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN

No. 50 (June - July 2011)
Founded by the MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS of the Republic of Macedonia. Dame Gruev 6, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia / www.mfa.gov.mk [email protected] Previous editors: Pajo Avirovik, October 2006-April 2008; Zvonimir Popovik, May 2008-January 2010

Editor: Vladimir Efremovski

Editorial Board: Agneza Rusi; Lina Ognenova; Zuko Rizvanski; Shaban Jashari; Aleksandar Trajkoski; Eli Bojadjieska Ristovski; Edvard Mitevski; Maciej Kaczorowski; Elena Georgievska; Mircela Dzuvalekovska Casule Photo: Dragan Todorovski

Published monthly by: MACEDONIAN INFORMATION CENTRE Director: Dragan Antonov Chief Translator: Aleksandra Ilievska Address: Naum Naumovski Borce 73, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia www.micnews.com.mk

Abdulkadar MEMEDI State Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia

MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN No. 50 2011

PRESIDENT IVANOV PAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRIA

Within the framework of his official visit to Austria, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov met his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer in Vienna on 20 June. The two presidents discussed the bilateral relations, the possibilities for closer economic cooperation and the integration of the Republic of Macedonia into the EU and NATO. According to Austrian President Fischer, in order to set Macedonia a date for opening membership negotiations with the EU a resolution of the name issue should not be waited for. The problem can be solved at the end of the negotiations too. They should begin and the two processes should unfold in parallel, which would encourage finding a solution, President Fischer said at the joint press conference of the two heads of state. Macedonian President Ivanov agreed that the name issue should not be a prerequisite for joining the EU and that Macedonias European integration and resolution of the name issue could be taking place simultaneously. President Ivanov stressed that Austria was included in a lot of segments of the Macedonian society, following the three E (Europe, Economy and Energy) strategy, that the country was helping Macedonias European integration and economic progress and was also involved in its energy sector. Ivanov met also with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, the President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Christoph Leitl, and visited also the Macedonian cultural community and the Church of St Naum of Ohrid in Vienna.

PRIME MINISTER GRUEVSKI IN PRAGUE

Macedonia Takes Chairmanship of Decade of Roma Inclusion
In the attendance of Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his Czech counterpart Petr Neas, on 27 June the Republic of Macedonia officially took from the Czech Republic the Chairmanship of the Decade of Roma Inclusion, a project of the World Bank accepted by 12 countries, aiming to improve the living conditions of the Roma community by 2015 and contribute to its integration. I am pleased that Macedonia is going to chair the Decade of Roma Inclusion in the next year. We are a country that has made very important steps in the improvement of the social status of the Roma people, including also the fact that Macedonia is the first country in which a member of the Roma community has been assigned a minister, in addition to the fact that the Roma community has a Member of Parliament, a municipality and a mayor. We have a program under which important investments have been made in the quarters populated with Roma people, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. He stressed that the Republic of Macedonia was working also on improving the Roma peoples education, employment and health, areas of major importance for them. The handing of the Chairmanship of the Decade of Roma Inclusion was realized within the framework of the Meeting of the 20th International Steering Committee attended by representatives of the European Commission and the World Bank, as well as the President of the Open Society Foundation, George Soros. In a separate meeting with Prime Minister Gruevski, George Soros offered support for the Republic of Macedonia for easier and faster access to European Union funds for issues relating to the social inclusion of the Roma people in society and, in general, the realization of the activities of the Decade of Roma Inclusion. At a separate meeting between Prime Ministers Gruevski and Neas, satisfaction was expressed with the excellent relations and

close cooperation between the two countries, with an emphasis on the economic cooperation and the rising interest of Czech businessmen in making investments in the Republic of Macedonia. A special impetus in the economic cooperation is expected to be the realization of the return visit of the Czech Prime Minister to the Republic of Macedonia together with representatives of the Czech business community later this year.

EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS HELD IN MACEDONIA

According to the official results released by the State Election Commission, in the early parliamentary elections in the Republic of Macedonia held on 5 June, the coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE won 56, the coalition led by SDSM 42, BDI 15, PDSH 8 and PDK 2 parliamentary seats. The voter turnout in all six constituencies was 63.48 percent, as 1,156,085 citizens of the Republic of Macedonia eligible to vote went to the polls. The Chief of the long-term monitoring mission of the OSCE/ODIHR, Julian Peel Yates, said voters and members of election bodies at all levels, from the municipal election committees to the State Election Commission, deserved credit for the mostly peaceful and well conducted election process. He also emphasized the positive cooperation of the international team of observers with the authorities at all levels. In a joint statement after the elections, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner tefan Fle assessed the elections as transparent and well-organized, congratulating the citizens, the political parties and the authorities for their contribution to the election process. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Thomas Countryman congratulated the Macedonian authorities on the well-organized elections as well, saying that the success of these elections in the Republic of Macedonia was unprecedented.
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INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, H.E. ANTONIO MILOSOSKI

MACEDONIA AND ITS INSTITUTIONS ARE FULLY CAPABLE OF ATTAINING FOREIGN POLICY GOALS AND PRIORITIES

Over the past five years at diverse forums, whether at the UN, the OSCE or the Council of Europe, we showed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also be a pro-active stakeholder in these international institutions.
Mr. Milososki, nearly five years ago, in October 2006 to be more specific, in the interview published in the first issue of this Bulletin, on behalf of the editorial board, I asked you about your first impressions of the Ministry on Dame Gruev 6 Street. We talked about new energy, new ideas, motivation, creativity, etc. Now, in the fiftieth jubilee issue of the Macedonian Diplomatic Bulletin, I am asking you again about your impressions, but this time round from the point of view of a foreign minister with the longest term of office in the diplomatic tradition of independent Macedonia. Is there anything in particular that, in your view, marks the period during which you served as foreign minister? First of all, I was honored to stand at the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia for five years. For me, it is a unique and very good experience through which I built on my political maturity. During my term at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would single out the election of the Macedonian candidate, Mr. Kerim, as President of the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations. I believe that Macedonia, as member of the United Nations, has thus proved it is highly respected by other member states. Then there is the Macedonian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe, an organization whose members are 47 countries of the pan-European continent. There is also the visa liberalization for the Macedonian citizens that was long-awaited and represented one of the priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Landmark events are also the recognition of the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia by a number of countries in the past five years and in this regard I would single out the recognition by Canada. I cannot avoid mentioning also the NATO Summit in Bucharest, as an event that left a trace in the modern Macedonian history, and also the Macedonian-Greek talks concerning the problem that the Republic of Greece has with Macedonias constitutional name, as a bilateral, contentious issue imposed by official Athens, which, over the past 20 years including the past five years, has had a notable intensity. In the end, I would also mention the growth of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs both in terms of the expansion of its diplomatic network and its staff, as well as in terms of the new building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which we expect to become an ornament not only of the Macedonian diplomacy but also of the city of Skopje by the end of this year. In the five years behind you many significant things occurred that marked your foreign policy activities as well as those of the country in general. What events do you consider most important achievements in the foreign policy of the Republic of Macedonia in the past five years and what are the priorities in which you believe your successor would invest most energy? I already mentioned the most important events but let me say again that in my opinion the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe was one of the most significant achievements in view of both the diplomatic activities and the representation of Macedonia before all other European countries; the positive reports from the European Commission in 2009 and 2010 for which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our diplomatic network can rightfully claim part of the credit; as well as the visa liberalization which was evidence that the Republic of Macedonia has the capacity to perform tasks and meet criteria being part of the European standards and that when those achievements are not hindered by an EU member state it is obvious that our country and our institutions are fully capable of attaining the objectives and priorities of our foreign policy.

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Interview conducted on 17 July by Dragan Antonov

As regards the question of where I would expect my successor to invest most energy, the European integration will by all means remain to be a challenge requiring a lot of effort, energy, and coordination with other institutions at home and abroad. Second, I trust that the regional cooperation should stay one of the pivotal components of the activities of the Macedonian MFA, considering Macedonias biggest commercial, political, security, cultural, educational and diplomatic potential rests in the distance from our immediate and more remote neighbors. I trust that the active multilateralism deserves dedication on the part of the Ministry, the minister and all our political stakeholders that play a role in the foreign policy and in this regard I expect the commenced candidacy of the Republic of Macedonia for membership of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in 2013-2016 to be crowned with successes in 2013. And finally, as far as my expectations are concerned, I would take this opportunity to say I hope that over the course of the next four years Macedonia would succeed politically, financially and diplomatically in opening embassies in Brasilia and Tokyo, which will by all means boost the potential of the Macedonian diplomatic network globally. In 2010 Macedonia chaired the Committee of Ministers of the CoE. How do you see your experience of being Chairman of this Committee and what are Macedonias benefits from the Chairmanship? The experience of being the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe was very good for me as minister of foreign affairs from both political and diplomatic viewpoint. But the feeling of chairing a Pan-European organization with 47 member states was more than that. It was amazing for it coincided with the 15th anniversary of Macedonias membership of the Council of Europe and I believe that with the Chairmanship of this organization we made that quality switch by growing from a country using the support and services and occasionally the supervision from the Council of Europe into a member country producing contents and timetable for work bearing in mind the priorities of the Council of Europe. The team of some 10 Macedonian diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Macedonias Mission to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, which defined and promoted the Macedonian Chairmanship and its priorities with excellence and in close coordination with the previous Swiss and succeeding Turkish Chairmanship, should be congratulated most for the successful chairing of the Committee. One of the greatest benefits from this Chairmanship was Macedonias increased visibility on the European stage, as well as the multiple conferences and guests that the Republic of Macedonia hosted, thus taking the chance of promoting itself before a great many European politicians as a country, as a culture and as part of the European mosaic of peoples and countries. Over the past five years Macedonia cooperated closely with its neighboring countries and the countries of Southeast Europe in general. The country was also very active in the regional initiatives, the sharing of opinions and the concluding of agreements at a regional level. What is your opinion of the contribution of the regional cooperation locally, as well as in the process of Macedonias integration into NATO and the European Union? The Republic of Macedonia continues to be one of the regional actors that make with their conduct measurable and notable contribution to closer cooperation in the region of Southeast Europe. That was and, I am sure, will remain one of the priorities of Macedonias foreign policy. Regional cooperation is good for the countries, their trade, mutual trust, and image before the rest of the international community and in general serves as an added value to our serious effort in taking Macedonia closer to the European Union and in taking our deserved place in the North-Atlantic Alliance. I believe that more stress should be laid on the infrastructure projects in our cooperation. The meetings of the heads of state of Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro are a good example of how these concrete needs and priorities receive the highest political attention by the leaderships of the countries in the region. In addition, I hold that the infrastructure priorities should continue being part of the promotion of the
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bilateral relations also with the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Bulgaria and neighboring Greece. Over the period to come, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the other institutions of the Republic of Macedonia should focus on the South-East European Cooperation Process. This regional organization gets to play an increasingly more significant role in regional projects and regional cooperation and it is very important for the Republic of Macedonia to be well prepared for the chairmanship of this regional organization from July 2012 to July 2013. In this case too, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have to bear the heaviest burden yet I believe in the capability and readiness of the Macedonian diplomatic network to prove once again its deftness and play a key role during Macedonias chairmanship. Mr. Minister, you are the founder of this Bulletin and of the foreign policy journal Crossroads. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you introduced public diplomacy officially for the first time. What are your

expectations of its future growth and enhancement as an important segment of diplomacy? I trust it is good for the smaller countries and those having modest foreign policy resources to nurture the concept of public diplomacy too. In other words, the priorities and goals of a country can be put across before the home and international public not just through the means of the classical diplomatic communication but also through magazines, journals, interviews, lectures at renowned universities, think-tanks, etc, in which an accent is put on the countrys accomplishments, needs, expectations, logic and arguments in the right light and with a positive tone. In my view, this Bulletin, as well as the foreign policy journal Crossroads, is the beginning of that process, a novelty that keeps going with the support of the MFA team. I also expect the project known as the Macedonia Collection to be completed this autumn. It will cover an array of aspects of the development of the Macedonian state

in the past two decades and, as is the case with many other things, having good public diplomacy is not only about having a good idea, enthusiasm and dedicated people but is also about having money. Hence, it would be much better if in the years to come the budget allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the public diplomacy, were bigger so we can produce better effects. At the end of this interview, I would ask you to make an overview of the situation in the Macedonian diplomacy in 2011 and draw a comparison with 2006 when you took the office of foreign minister. In comparison with 2006, I believe that in 2011 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is bigger, more mature and more hard-working. It has a broader diplomatic network. The decisions for opening Macedonian embassies in New Delhi, Tel Aviv, Prague, Oslo and Tallinn proved good and beneficial for the Republic of Macedonia and the national interests. I also believe that the establishment of the Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of For-

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eign Affairs is an additional segment that provides concrete support, guidelines and training for the younger diplomats of the MFA. Over the past five years at diverse forums, whether at the UN, the OSCE or the Council of Europe, we showed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also be a pro-active factor in these international institutions, nominating staff from the Republic of Macedonia and taking high-ranking offices. Although we are a small country by the size of our population or perhaps number of employees in our institutions, I think that in terms of quality of our human resources we have good diplomatic potential that should serve in the future as a base for a more ambitious MFA. Although you are going to remain in the foreign policy, still with your decision to resign as foreign minister you demonstrated a very human dimension in your conduct as a politician. What are the reactions of your counterparts and other diplomats you had a chance to meet? My decision to let go of the wheel at the MFA due to family priorities and for personal reasons is not very commonplace in our domestic political environment. I

would even say that it is not very common in certain other countries either and therefore it was a surprise to many of my counterparts, ministers of foreign affairs, with whom I had close communication. In any case, the reactions were friendly and they all showed understanding for what I did. I am happy that all those with whom I communicated closely expressed satisfaction with our cooperation, which turned into friendship with many of them. I consider this a valuable social benefit for me as well and I appreciate it greatly. Europe is small, as we are young and we believe that sooner or later our paths will cross again and we will have a chance to cooperate again. I believe this is the right moment to ask you which one of the innumerable meetings you have had over the years made the biggest impression on you? I would single out two meetings. The first is the meeting of Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski with his Canadian counterpart Harper, which I attended as well. The talks with the Canadian prime minister made a truly big impression on me for I saw in him not just a politician of

a respectable and influential country such as Canada, but also a man with principles and convictions and also a believer who draws from religion his moral strength in taking the right decisions in the interest of his country and in the taking the right approach in international relations based on the principle of justice and respect of others. The second most memorable meeting was the meeting with my Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during his visit to the Republic of Macedonia. What surprised me in a good way was his request to hold the meeting in Macedonias cultural seat, Ohrid, rather than Skopje, in order for him to experience firsthand the cradle of Slav literacy. He is a politician and a man with profound diplomatic experience and our conversation, not only about European but also global issues, made an indelible impression on me opening up new horizons in my perception of certain aspects of international relations. Thank you Mr. Minister. The editorial board of the Macedonian Diplomatic Bulletin would like to wish you success in your new office. We are sure that we will be meeting again on the pages of the Macedonian Diplomatic Bulletin.

PRESIDENT IVANOV VISITS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independent Macedonian diplomacy, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, visited the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 June. Within the framework of his visit, President Ivanov had a separate meeting with Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and delivered a lecture before the young diplomats entitled Twenty Years of Independent Macedonian Diplomacy Situation, Results and Future Challenges. In the run-up to the 20th anniversary of

Macedonias independence, he made an overview in his lecture of the results and achievements of the Macedonian diplomacy. He pointed out the challenges facing the Macedonian diplomacy, its weaknesses and flaws, addressing also the influence of the globalization and information revolution on the traditional, elitist and closed concept of diplomacy. At the meeting with Minister Milososki, President Ivanov launched an initiative for decoration of meritorious foreign ambassadors upon completion of their term in the Republic of Macedonia and initiated also making an assessment of the Macedonian diplomats accomplishments.

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SUMMIT OF REGIONAL INITIATIVES IN BUDVA

contribution to the operations of the Alliance in Afghanistan and the future activities within the framework of this forum.

MILOSOSKI AT MEETING OF EU AND WESTERN BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

At the initiative of Hungary, the country holding the Presidency of the EU, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Antonio Milososki, participated in the regular annual meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the countries of the European Union and the Western Balkans in Luxembourg on 20 June. Opinions were shared at the meeting about the ways in which the European perspective of the region could be further promoted and it was emphasized that the process of EU enlargement toward the countries of the Balkans remained a priority standing high on the Unions agenda. Thanking for the positive assessments of the conducted parliamentary elections, Minister Milososki stressed that two of the basic priorities on the European agenda of the new Macedonian Government would still be reforms, with special stress on the administration and the judiciary, and making utmost effort in the process of seeking out a solution to the name issue with the Republic of Greece.

At the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the South-East European Cooperation Process, which took place in the Montenegrin resort of Saint Stefan on 29 and 30 June, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov underscored in his address that Macedonia remained committed to its goals and priorities of joining NATO and the EU. He added that Macedonia was included in all regional initiatives and was open to cooperation with the international community. Pointing out that the Balkans needed support to continue its European and Euro-Atlantic integration, President Ivanov stressed that the integration was going to contribute to stronger democracy and rule of law in Europe. The greatest power of both our region and Europe rests in their openness and unity, as closeness and divisions represent their biggest threats, President Ivanov stressed. At the meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the SouthEast European Cooperation Process, which preceded the Summit of Heads of State and Government, views were shared about promoting further the European perspective of the Region, with special emphasis on the regional cooperation. Minister Milososki stressed in his address that the policy of enlargement of the European Union represents its essential dimension. He also said that the Republic of Macedonia proved it was a credible partner of the international community, a country that contributed to the stabilization of the situation in the region of Southeast Europe, and as a functional multiethnic democracy also showed that the coexistence of its diverse ethnic groups and religions represented an added value to both the Balkan and the European family. The meeting of the Partner Commission of the member countries of the Charter of Partnership Among Macedonian, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USA, or what is also known as the Adriatic Charter, took place too, attended by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The ministers of foreign affairs of the member states of the Charter, talked about issues related to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the region, the joint

GENERAL STOJANOVSKI DECORATED

At the ceremony held at the Army House on 22 June, the Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of Macedonia, Philip Reeker, handed the Chief of the Macedonian Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Miroslav Stojanovski, the Legion of Merit. This highest military decoration of the US Defense Department is awarded to high-ranking foreign officials who made a significant contribution to the promotion of bilateral relations in the field of defense and have achieved excellence in performing their job. The ceremony was attended also by representatives of the Ministry of Defense and military attaches accredited to the Republic of Macedonia.

MACEDONIA LOSES FRIEND

Lawrence Eagleburger, a former US Secretary of State, a career diplomat, an excellent connoisseur of the situation in the Balkans and a friend of Macedonia, died on 4 June this year. Following the devastating earthquake in Skopje in 1963, our friend Larry, was quite deservedly nicknamed Lawrence of Macedonia. With his enthusiasm and dedication so typical of him, he was trying to help those who survived in the wounded city to restore their normal life, as was in fact stated on the pages of the Macedonian daily papers in their reports of his death or in recollections about Macedonias friend, diplomat Lawrence Eagleburger. Eagleburger arrived in the shattered Skopje, as Second Secretary at the US Embassy in Belgrade responsible to coordinate the US assistance that many of us still remember. Now that he is no longer with us, the news reports not only in Macedonia but also in many world papers that reported the death of the great, diplomat and friend, explained his role in Skopje in the capacity of a diplomat at the US Embassy in Belgrade known as Lawrence of Macedonia. Therefore highly expected was the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to name a street in Skopje after Lawrence Eagleburger, the diplomat and friend who was with us in the most difficult times.

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CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO THE EUROATLANTIC INTEGRATION OF THE BALKANS

the Conference included the US Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Philip Reeker, representatives of the international community, as well as leaders of political parties from Macedonia. Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov hosted a reception and stressed in his address on that occasion that with the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, Macedonia had enriched its independence and sovereignty with the striving for a stable and functional multiethnic democracy.

PRESIDENT IVANOV AT CONFERENCE IN JERUSALEM

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov participated in the international conference Facing Tomorrow 2011 held in Jerusalem for the third time under Israeli President Shimon Peress auspices on 21-23 June. The Conference focused on the situation and future of the Middle East, the fight against terrorism, the proliferation of weapons for mass destruction, media, etc. Over 200 world leaders, representatives of international organizations, businessmen, scientists and experts, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and Colombian pop star Shakira as UNICEF goodwill ambassador, attended the Conference.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia and the Aspen Institute of Berlin organized the Conference Euro-Atlantic Integration of the Balkans 2015-2020 New Transatlantic Dialogue: German and US Leaders in Dialogue with Leaders from the Western Balkans in Ohrid on 14-17 June 2011. A number of renowned figures from Germany, Austria, the USA and the Region participated in the Conference. They shared views of the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU, the trans-Atlantic cooperation, the challenges of regional and global security, as well as the contribution of the countries of the Region to the consolidation of the Balkans and its integration into Europe. The Conference was opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Antonio Milososki, and the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute of Berlin, Charles King Mallory IV. The first session moderated by the first Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Christopher Hill, was dedicated to the future role of NATO in Southeast Europe. Foreign Minister Milososki and US Ambassador Reeker addressed the conference as well. Minister Milososki raised in his address the issue of the current political and security situation in the region, stressing the enormous progress the countries of the Region made over the past 20 years, particularly in the areas of inner democratization. In comparison with the last decade of the 20th century, Minister Milososki said, today differences and open issues that still exist between some countries are being settled by way of talks and dialogue, while the neighbors progress is seen as ones own progress. Within the framework of the Conference, three more session were held focusing on the path of the Western Balkan countries toward full-fledged membership of the EU, the potential security threats in the Western Balkans and the fight against organized crime in the region.

President Ivanov addressed the leaders meeting dedicated to the economic crisis, resolution of regional conflicts, social progress, climate change and responsibility of politicians in reaching key decisions. Also, he had separate meetings with the Israeli President and host of the Conference, Shimon Peres, at which mutual satisfaction was expressed with the relations between the two countries, as well as with other conference participants.

MINISTER MILOSOSKI AT CONFERENCE IN VILNIUS

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Milososki, participated in the Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 1 July. The need for strengthening democracy, promoting the rule of law and democratic values globally, as well as further strengthening of the role of the civil society and civil organizations in democratic societies in the context of the recent events in the North-African countries were reaffirmed at the Conference. The ministers adopted also the Vilnius Declaration, Community of Democracies, Empowered, Energized, Engaged, reaffirming the commitments of the member states of the Community to more efficient, dedicated and focused promotion of democratic standards, and condemning attempts at repressing progressive democratic ideas and democracy in the world.
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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TOWARD MACEDONIAS MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU AND NATO

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the International Conference Towards Macedonias Membership in the EU and NATO took place at the University of Ss Cyril and Methodius and the University of Southeast Europe on 21 and 22 June. The conferences topics included Macedonias progress after signing the Ohrid Framework Agreement to date, as well as the challenges the country faces on its path toward NATO and the EU. The officials who addressed

DIPLOMATICS CORPS SOCIAL EVENTS

DAY OF RUSSIA CELEBRATED
On the occasion of the Day of Russia, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Skopje hosted a reception at the hotel Continental on 8 June attended by .. President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, as well as heads of the diplomatic missions and members of the Diplomatic Corps, high-ranking politicians, businessmen, journalists, representatives of the Russian Diaspora, etc. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Oleg Nikolaevich Scherbak, presented at the reception the medals of Pushkin to Velimir Stojkovski, Rector of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University and Krasimira Ilievska of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Deputy Prime Minister Vasko Naumovski, representatives of the diplomatic corps and numerous eminent public figures.

2011 QUEENS BIRTHDAY PARTY CELEBRATION

On 9 June, the British Embassy in Skopje threw the Queens Birthday Party (QBP) 2011 at the National Gallery Daut Pashin Amam. In anticipation of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the United Kingdom, the venue was decorated with banners displaying a mixture of sporting motifs and landmarks from around the United Kingdom.

RECEPTION IN SKOPJE MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SLOVENIAS INDEPENDENCE

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Skopje, in cooperation with the Slovenian-Macedonian Business Club, hosted a reception on 21 une to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Slovenia. Among the guests was the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, as well as the Ministers of Defense, Culture, Education and Science, Information Technology and Public Administration, Deputy Ministers, State Secretaries, representatives of opposition parties, representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of all three Slovenian associations in Macedonia (France Preeren from Skopje, Triglav from Bitola and the Slovenian Centre from Skopje), Honorary Consul Mihajlo Mojsov, Slovenian officers and soldiers participating in KFOR, Slovenian language students from the Faculty of Philology, professors and many other Slovenians who live and work in Macedonia.

This year several themes fused together within the QBP celebration, commemorating important current and future events, such as the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012, as well as the 15th anniversary of the British Councils presence in Macedonia. Traditional British food, such as fish and chips, was being served to guests. Attendees included the President of Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, the Prime Minister, Mr. Nikola Gruevski, and the Foreign Minister, Mr. Antonio Milososki. Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, the British Community in Macedonia, the business community, the NGO sector and the media attended as well.

JUNE 6, SWEDISH NATIONAL DAY

The celebration of the National Day of the Kingdom of Sweden took place in the Residence of Ambassador Mr. Lars Wahlund in Skopje on 6 June. Ambassador Wahlund welcomed more than 200 guests from Macedonias public life, the diplomatic corps, as well as Swedes living and working in the country

CROATIAN NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATED

The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the Republic of Macedonia marked the Statehood Day and the Day of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia on 20 June. The reception was attended by the highest representatives of the state leadership of the Republic of Macedonia,

NATIONAL DAY OF ITALY MARKED

The Embassy of the Italian Republic in the Republic of Macedonia marked 2 June, the Day of the Italian Republic, with a traditional reception hosted on 1 June in the Daut Pashin Amam National Gallery. This year the celebrations bore a particular relevance considering they coincided with the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. Around 500 Macedonian officials, civil society representatives and Italian citizens living in Macedonia took part to the gathering.

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MDB would like to extend a warm welcome and wish a successful diplomatic mission in the Republic of Macedonia to the Ambassador: .. Mr. Renatas JUKA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Budapest MDB would like to thank the following Ambassadors for their completed diplomatic mission in the Republic of Macedonia, wishing them success in their future life and career: .E. Mrs. Ulrike Maria KNOTZ, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Macedonia .. Mr. John MORRISON, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Republic of Macedonia MDB would like to wish a successful mission to our colleagues: Mrs. Valmira SELA, Third Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Macedonia in Brussels Mr. Gazmend RAIMI, Third Secretary at the Consulate General of the Republic of Macedonia in New York

PUSHKIN MEDAL PRESENTED TO RECTOR STOJKOVSKI AND DR. ILIEVSKA

which has been performing for over 30 years and represents part of the traditional chamber performing of a wealth of Macedonian brass musicians, staged a concert at the National Museum The

With a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, the Rector of the Ss Cyril and Methodius University, Dr. Velimir Stojkovski, and Dr. Krasimira Ilievska were awarded with the Pushkin Medal for their contribution to the promotion of the Russian language and culture and the strengthening of the Russian-Macedonian ties. The previous winners of this prestigious Russian award are academicians Gane Todorovski, the first Macedonian ambassador to the Russian Federation, Milan Gjurcinov, the dean of the Blaze Koneski Faculty of Philology, Maksim Karanfilovski and director Ivan Popovski, who has lived and worked in the Russian Federation for nearly twenty years.

Country and the People. This cultural event was realized within the framework of the Program for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia.

AMBASSADOR ANGELOVS ADDRESS

At the European Civil Meeting held in Budapest within the framework of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, the Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of Hungary, Darko Angelov, delivered a speech about Macedonias European integration. Angelov made a chronological overview of the process of European integration of the Republic of Macedonia, the standstill resulting from the unprincipled Greek block and the expectations for a more constructive approach from Greece in the coming period. Ambassador Angelov also thanked Hungary for its strong and wholehearted support for Macedonias European integration.

EXHIBITION OF MACEDONIAN PAINTERS IN PODGORICA

An exhibition at which Macedonian academic painters Novica Trajkovski and Mirko Vujisik each presented themselves with 13 of their most recently created works took place at the private art gallery Most in Podgorica. The exhibition was organized by the initiative Most, the oldest private gallery in Podgorica and the Embassy of Montenegro in the Republic of Macedonia and its realization was financial supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia.

SIGN UNVEILED AT CEREMONY

The Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of Serbia, Ljubisa Georgievski, and the President of the Municipality of Plandiste, Zoran Vorkapi, unveiled at a 14 June ceremony the recently mounted sign of the local office Duzine with an inscription in the Macedonian language, whereby the decision of the Council of the Municiplaity of Plandiste taken a year ago declaring the Macedonian language and its Cyrillic alphabet as official, at an equal footing as the Serbian, Romanian and Hungarian, was formally confirmed. In the Republic of Serbia, the Macedonian language is official in the village of Jabuka near Pancevo as well.
No. 50 2011 MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN

CONCERT OF SKOPJE BRASS QUINTET IN SOFIA

Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia and the Cultural and Information Center in Sofia, the Skopje Brass Quintet,

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MATEJA MATEVSKI WINS ENCHANTING VERSES AWARD

Mateja Matevski, the renowned Macedonian poet, literary and theater critic, essayist and translator, won the Enchanting Verses Award presented by the Indian Enchanting Verses International Poetry Journal. Apart from Macedonian poet Matevski, the main features of the latest issue of the journal are dedicated also to remarkable English Poet John Milton. Enchanting Verses is an online English-language journal updated four times a year. Its chief editor is Professor Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya and its managing editor is Indian poet Sonnet Mondal.

THE ETERNAL CITY

When I think of Rome, my first association is history, rich culture and cultural legacy. The well-known saying, All Roads Lead to Rome is one of its trademarks. And it is truly so considering the city feels that on a daily basis, as millions of tourists that visit the city constantly experience firsthand that the city marked a whole epoch of world history. No other city in the world can compare its history with that of the Eternal City. Rome is an open-air museum, where every piece of stone hides inside old and valuable stories from the rich treasure trove of history. It is the city where Vatican is located too. All of this makes Rome unique, special and glorious. Every day in Rome is a like a magic discovery of something new. You have a feeling that you are never in the same place and that every day you discover and see something new. Being a diplomat in such a city, in which the day and the night always intertwine, is above all a privilege, as well as a major responsibility. When someone says Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia, you have a feeling that people have immense respect for the name Macedonia and Macedonias history. To Italians it is a word that radiates special historical importance and value and is being talked about with particular attention. They say the world remains to the young and so for me my assignment as ambassador was a motive to prove myself and also the others that the young know how to bring out the best in them. I make sure that my working day always has a full agenda, which is frequently subject to modification, considering that things change by the minute. Therefore, talking about my working day, I have to admit it is not standardized as I deal with an array of issues, each one of them being a challenge for me. On 2 June this year the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy was marked and in honor of the jubilee a great many events were organized, the main being the parade before Fori Imperiali, which was attended by numerous heads of state, including Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, at the invitation of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. Traditionally, in the month of May Rome honors the Holy Brothers, Slav missionaries Cyril and Methodius, and this year saw the 43rd edition of the event Macedonia in Honor of Saint Cyril, while President Gjorge Ivanov headed the Macedonian delegation. In December last year, the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia in Rome took part in the organization of the concert dedicated to Mother Teresa entitled Ten Stars for Mother Teresa at which tribute was paid to the deeds of the Blessed Mother, about whom the whole world speaks with pride and reverence, as it is a great privilege and honor for us to say that the little big lady was born in Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. The concert was shown on 24 December by the Italian national television RAIUNO, immediately after the Christmas mass, conducted by Pope Benedict XVI, which represents a significant promotion of the Republic of Macedonia not only in Italy but also in the world. These are only some of the activities through which we as Embassy and I personally as Ambassador try to promote our country. In the end, after nearly two years, I can say that I feel proud and also content and happy that everyday my family and I convey the message of the Republic of Macedonia to all our local friends and see that they too are content, astounded and keen on learning as much as possible about us, our tradition and culture, and wish to visit Macedonias endless attractions. Ambassador Velibor TOPALOSKI

MACEDONIAN ART, CULTURE AND TRADITION IN LONDON

A few cultural events entitled Macedoniawn Art, Culture and Tradition took place at the cultural center Spiro Ark in London on 16-22 June. The event began with an exhibition of 70 childrens drawings on the subject of architecture from the Small Bitola Montmartre, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Within the framework of the event, young Antonija Jovanovska, who lives in London, performed a 20-minute piano recital; the short film Amazing Macedonia was shown, Radojka Helman talked about the Jewish Community in Macedonia; the childrens choir Golden Nightingale staged a concert; and Bojana Fabel performed a few reworked Macedonian traditional songs. The organizer of the event, MAG-kultura i iskustvo of Skopje, and Pro Art & Co of London have organized in the recent years the performances in Great Britain of Synthesis, Leb i sol, Foltin, Infuse, the Small Drama Theater, the Turkish Theater, etc.

RACIN MEETINGS HELD

The event Racin Meetings was held in Veles on 6-9 June for the 48th time at which in addition to the standard contents there were also new program forms in order to present more dimensions of the life and work of revolutionary and poet Kosta Solev Racin, the founder of the modern Macedonian literature. Twenty-six poets from Macedonia, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Ukraine participated in the event. The laureate of the 2011 Racin Award is writer Vladimir Popov for the novel Against the Wind as laureate of the 2011 Honorary Racin Award is Prof. Dr. Zlatko Kramari, incumbent Croatian Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Macedonia.

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