Macedonia has thus far demonstrated European behavior, the Macedonian President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov said at the official opening of the 23rd Annual Session of Crans Montana Forum in Baku.

Ivanov, answering the question whether he sees Macedonia’s future in Europe, he stressed that it was a question for all EU member states why the country has still not been given a date for EU accession negotiations.

He congratulated the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic, who also attended the Forum, on the announced accession talks date, adding that Macedonia deserves the same.

“Each country can block other country in the Balkans. We have never blocked anyone and Macedonia has always demonstrated how a country should treat other religions, other ethnic and linguistic groups, and how prosperity can be achieved in time of barriers”, President Ivanov added.

He also stressed that Macedonia has built a model of integration without assimilation and an inclusive model of democracy.

“Following the 2001 conflict, we drafted a Framework Agreement, which should be a model for Europe how to treat diversities. However, our future is blocked due to an irrational dispute. It is not possible for me to prove that I speak Macedonian language, that I come from a country named Macedonia, a country that was, is and will remain to be Macedonia. We cannot be anything else”, the Macedonian President told current and former heads of state and government, and representatives of international organizations.

The President said that instead of supporting prosperity and development, Europe shows solidarity with a member-state that “gives us and the entire region problems”.

Ivanov emphasized that the Balkan region, which is a mix of different cultures, languages and religions, can live in peace only when in open space. He stressed that the European idea for the Balkans is needed as a peace idea.

“Our economies in times of crisis function as the European economy. Our budget deficit is within the European standards, but we are blocked from being part of an open space. Europe is the one that can open this space, because when the space is open, people’s minds are open, too. Einstein once said “The mind is like parachute; it functions only when open””, President Ivanov said, adding that Europe should deal with its members that do not promote an open mind.


President Ivanov said that Macedonia and Greece are closely related in various spheres, emphasizing that the Macedonian citizens traditionally travel on holiday in Greece and the biggest investors in Macedonia are Greek businessmen. At one university in Thessaloniki, in the last five or six years, there are more than thousands of Macedonian postgraduate students.

“We are helping the Greek economy, but the Greek politicians still live in the 19 century categories, by denying one’s right of self-identification. It is a fundamental human right. The time when ones identity was determined by others has long before gone to the past”, President Ivanov stressed.

He also added that all EU member states are responsible for whatever is happening to Macedonia regarding its EU membership.