1. Your predecessor, Kiro Gligorov followed the so-said politic of equilibre distance in relations with neighbors. Are you following the same?

At that time, we were not internationally recognized, at least not by the European community, we had problems with certain neighbors and even sovereignty claims, we were economically blocked and the policy of equidistance made sense. However, times have changed. Now we are recognized, valued and equal entity on the international stage, firmly committed to the Euro-Atlantic integrations and, of course, open for cooperation with all countries. Nevertheless, the relations in the region are significantly relaxed, and we put all our efforts for peace, stability and democratic development to prevail in the neighborhood. Therefore, today, it makes no sense to speak of a distance from neighbors; on the contrary, Macedonia is working to attract its neighbors through the open opportunities for mutual cooperation.

2. 10th anniversary of Ohrid Agreement found both parts unpleased. Where is the problems according to you? Is the implementaion of the pact a real problem or it is time for a new agreement?

Recently we marked the 10th anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and I, as Head of State, was the patron of this celebration. In many discussions and round tables, we gave a generally positive assessment of its meaning and achievements. Maybe there are some discontented individuals or circles because it takes time. However, the principles contained in the agreement are translated into the Constitution, laws and practices and today in Macedonia it is a reality. This Agreement shows that it can ensure participation of citizens from all ethnic communities in decision making at the state level, i.e. it allows everyone to feel like a participant in the political process, not to feel left out. Thus, it is especially important, the decision-making process not to lose efficiency and Macedonia to be able to conduct serious and comprehensive reforms that are important for its continuous improvement as a state and as a society, important for the economic development and legal certainty and thus to be the leader in the region. We believe that this model offers steadfast and already proven principles that can be implemented in the neighboring countries, where there is a heterogeneous population, such is the situation in all Balkan countries, where there is need to improve the way the decisions are made in the society.

3. What is the role Albanian in Macedonia should have for state integration in euro-atlantic structures?

Albanians in Macedonia provide significant and proportionate contribution to the progress of our country and its accession to the EU and NATO, equally in business and economy, as well as in culture, education, health care system. They hold very important seats in the Assembly, in the Government, in the ministries, public administration, diplomacy, police and army. I can say that Mrs. Arifi, as Deputy Prime Minister of the Government, quite vigorously leads the Sector for European Affairs, and Minister Besimi is in charge of the defense sector, two sectors that have a significant role in the Euro-Atlantic integration processes. Many prominent Albanian politicians, MPs, ministers, leaders of parties, but also ordinary citizens, Albanians who serve as soldiers and officers in peacekeeping missions, provide on a daily basis contribution to the reforms in Macedonia, and to our cooperation with the EU and NATO.

4. On Oct, 1 in Macedonia census will begin. This process was surrounded by a political debate with ethnic background. What are your guaranties that Albanians of Macedonia won’t be penalised from the process?

The census has been prepared according to the law and regulations which are fully harmonized with the European standards, i.e. with the standards of the Union, and in close cooperation with its services. We already have perennial experience with such censuses and I am confident that the process will be conducted in a correct manner, providing an opportunity for the citizens to make their choice on their ethnicity freely. Indeed, the census authorities, forms etc. are compiled in a manner which excludes the possibility of irregularities. Macedonia, since its establishment as an independent and free state, supports the formation of parties and associations of all ethnic communities, supports the establishment of media in the languages of ethnic communities, thus, the risk that the public is uninformed about the census, or the threats that someone is intimidated in his free expression at the census are nonexistent. The census in Macedonia will be open to international monitoring and all possible remarks of the citizens can be easily checked.

I wish such freedom of self-determination, forms, procedures, instructors and trainings for conducting a census exist in the neighboring countries and the Macedonians in the neighborhood enjoy such benefits. It is good that the censuses are conducted at the same time in several neighboring states, and we each learn from our experiences. I hope that at the end of the process we can conclude that all censuses were conducted in accordance with the European standards and rules. I am aware that the remarks of the Macedonians in Albania, concerning the opportunity to freely express their ethnicity at the census, are remarks shared also by representatives of other communities living in Albania. I have communicated this issue with my colleague, President Bamir Topi, and I hope that Albania will be able to find a model in which the census will be implemented fully and without denials.

5. Corridor 8 has been an issue of two decades till now. 16 years ago an agreement, in presence of US president, Bill Clinton was signed. Whom of the 4 states s impeding the implementation of the project?

Namely, all four countries are responsible for their part of the project Corridor 8; they all have their terms of reference, but there are no specific deadlines and funds. The countries have different priorities and not always Corridor 8 is on the list of priorities. Macedonia announced the concessions for the construction of the roads that are part of this project, the ring road in Skopje is completed, and we are in the process of finding partners interested in the more important connections to Bulgaria and Albania. Unfortunately, we have not provided yet significant European funds. However, at the last Ohrid Regional Summit in July, which was attended, upon my invitation, by my counterparts from Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo, we decided to commit ourselves and raise as priority Corridor 8 and make all the necessary efforts to start with the operational stage of this project. This fact also refers to some other regional projects - environmental, infrastructure, energy and other.

6. Mr.President, what is the level of bilateral relations between two countries?

My assessment is that the level of bilateral relations is a very high onе. Lately, many bilateral agreements have been signed which enable intensive collaboration, significant trade exchange and links between the business communities. The cultural and educational cooperation is also strengthened, as well as the cooperation in the field of health care, environmental protection and tourism. I believe that once the traffic roads between the two countries are built, our cooperation and exchange will be doubled. There are no open bilateral issues; the Euro-Atlantic orientation of our countries is linking us towards our common goals. The existence of the Albanian community in Macedonia and also the Macedonian community in Albania is also a bridge of friendship, which I think is not sufficiently utilized.

7. What are your relations with your Albanian homologue, Bamir Topi?

In this last year I have had several meetings with President Topi (Ohrid – July, Belgrade - September. We have established very good relations, relations of personal trust and friendship. I think that we both can personally give fundamental contribution to the strengthening of the good relations between our peoples and states. Indeed, that is something that we already do.

8. What are the problems that Macedonian minority in Albania is facing? How do you perceive the governmental engagement to solve their problems?

The major problem of our community in Albania is that it was unable so far to determine itself in any scope due to the problems concerning the censuses. Except in Mala Prespa, many Macedonians live in Golo Brdo, in the Gorani villages, Tirana, Korca, Elbasan and in other cities. They are faced with problems such as education in their mother language, media enclosure, employment, representation in politics and many other problems. President Topi personally urged for free ethnic determination at the census, and I hope that this will be respected, although I am informed that on the spot there are difficulties related exactly to this. I wish the Macedonian ethnic community in Albania, as a community, to become a more significant factor in the socio-economic, democratic development and cultural development and advancement of Albania. The Government can certainly do a lot in this regard, particularly in the economic, educational and cultural sector.