Distinguished President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr. Chavusoglu,
Respected representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me extend my gratitude for your presence which marks the beginning of the Macedonian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe.

The oldest European organization is known for what it has often been - a herald of progress, a forerunner that opened the path which the other European organizations should take. I would like to use this opportunity to greet the principled decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the presidency of the Republic of Macedonia to be under the logo "Macedonian Chairmanship 2010”. Thus, the Council of Europe reaffirmed its consistency and compliance with its principles. By respecting the diversity of all identities and the right to dignity of each individual nation, the Council of Europe contributes to the establishment of a common European identity.

Respected,

Great is the symbolism that the first Macedonian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe is happening on the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Human rights are one of the three fundamental values of the Council of Europe, along with democracy and the rule of law. Macedonia may contribute to the achievement of these three fundamental values by implementing the three goals that we have set during the presidency.

Strengthening the protection of human rights is our first priority. It is necessary to consolidate and improve the system of human rights on national and European level. To that end, certainly a contribution will be the accession of the European Union to the Convention. The Macedonian Chairmanship, following the Interlaken process, shall work on the reform which should ensure respect and implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights by all signatory countries.

In Macedonia there is a functional multi-ethnic coexistence. Quite naturally, the second priority of the Macedonian Chairmanship is to promote and enhance the integration of the national minorities in the European societies.
Integration without assimilation.
My message to all of you is to properly understand the worlds of the different, to respect the differences.
Integration by respecting the existing cultural, ethnic, linguistic, religious and other diversities. In this regard, special emphasis shall be placed on the integration of the marginal groups, immigrants and Roma. Only in this way Europe will be a common home for all of us.

Respected,

We should leave the future for the young generations. We can not build this future without their consent, without their vision and energy. Therefore, the third goal of the Macedonian Chairmanship is to initiate the "Ohrid process" which aims to facilitate exchange of views and experiences of young people form South-East Europe and beyond. This will encourage their participation in the political processes and democratic reforms in their societies in accordance with the principles, values and standards of the Council of Europe.

Finally, I would like to underline that, in close cooperation with Switzerland and Turkey, the former and the future chair of the Council, as well as with Spain and Belgium, the chairs of the European Union this year, we may contribute to the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the European open space.

I believe that the European success depends on us all.

Thank you.