Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

It is my special pleasure to greet you today in Skopje, during the Annual Conference on Border Security. I am confident that this event can be seen as a concrete Macedonian contribution to the promotion of the border security.

I believe it is particularly important that this Ministerial Conference is being organized exactly today. Today, when one of the priorities of the European Union is the establishment of a safer Europe. We are proud that European values are Macedonian values, too. Be assured that the fight against international crime and terrorism and preventing illegal immigration are also our priorities.

Distinguished Guests,

We are aware that security does not start and end in our yard, our property, our country. In this interdependent, connected and globalized world, we are not only connected by the values but by the risks we share. Indeed, shared risks require a joint response.

I believe that the Center for Democratic Control of the Armed Forces is an instrument that enables 60 countries in the world to address the new security risks successfully and jointly. The model of border security promoted by the Centre for Democratic Control does not affect the essence of the four freedoms - free movement of people, goods, services and capital.

Ladies and Gentlemen

This year marks the 10th anniversary of successful functioning of the Border Security Program. The Republic of Macedonia is especially proud to be an active participant in this Program. Through this Program, in the past decade, we have received and learned a lot about meeting the standards of the European Union in the field of border management. And even more than that. This Program offers a holistic reform of the security sector. A Reform that ensured introduction of the modern border security concept. A Concept that involves open but well-controlled borders. I believe that the other DCAF member states have similar positive experiences.

I applaud the achievements so far and encourage further steps that will contribute towards building a safer region, safer Europe and safer world in general. I am confident that in the coming period we will be able to establish practice of joint risk analysis, joint operations and information management.

At the very end, congratulating you once again the jubilee of the Border Security Program, I wish you a successful conference.

Thank you.