Honorable Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Macedonia
Distinguished Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to greet you all in the idyllic Berovo, and to wish you and your families much health, happiness and prosperity in the new 2013. I wish progress and welfare of the peoples and nations Macedonia maintains and develops close and friendly relations with.

Rest assured that I personally, and my associates, as well as the Macedonian state authorities, very highly appreciate your contribution to the promotion and development of the relations between Macedonia and your countries, not only political, trade and economic relations, but also cultural, scientific and educational, and, above all, human relations based on shared values and principles. Your contribution is, indeed, very important and I personally thank you for that. I encourage you to continue your commitment and dedication, in that direction and, hence, as before, you will enjoy our full support.

Distinguished Excellencies,

We are at the beginning of the new 2013, which is likely to abound with challenges and temptations at regional, European and global level.

Whether our countries are facing financial, social, ethnic, developmental challenges, we all, to a lesser or greater extent, feel jointly global problems. Increased disaster risks, consequences of climate change and unsustainable development, recession, violations of human rights and freedoms, as well as security threats are only part of the challenges of our interdependent world. Challenges that require common responses, concerted actions and coordinated policy. Macedonia stands ready, as always, to give its worthy and proportionate contribution in that regard.

At domestic level, this year Macedonia is to meet serious tasks which should provide welfare, respect of human rights and European and Euro-Atlantic future for the Macedonian citizens.

We remain committed to promoting economic growth, reducing unemployment and poverty. We are strongly committed to maintain the positive investment and reform cycle.

The year, unfortunately, has started with the renewed necessity for further strengthening of democratic institutions and practices in the country. I have always advocated for responsible approach when it comes to the interests of the citizens. I believe that with a dialogue within the institutions, every problem can be resolved. I am confident that we will find a way out of this situation, because a serious work is awaiting us all.

The upcoming local elections need to address the immediate and real needs and expectations of the citizens. Elections that should lead to further enhancement of the local government. Many of the municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia are multiethnic, multi-religious and multilingual, as is, indeed, the Macedonian multiethnic democracy. Therefore, this year we will continue to nurture and promote the quality of the interethnic and inter-religious coexistence in accordance with the principle of integration without assimilation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Internationally, regardless of our unfulfilled expectations in the past year, we remain firm on our determination to join the European Union and NATO. We remain committed to our policy of openness and cooperation to all and with all.

Neighborly relations and cooperation with the countries in the region remain our priority, particularly during the Macedonian Chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process and the Forum of the Dialogue among Civilizations.

The Republic of Macedonia has always believed in and has applied in practice the view that the dialogue is indispensable, primarily for the good-neighborly relations, which are a two-way street. Macedonian society has no problem with any neighboring society. Politicians are obliged to follow our societies that are so much intertwined, economically and culturally, interpersonally and according to the shared values. They are obliged, through dialogue, to overcome the challenges and build a better today for our societies and a better tomorrow for our children.

I believe that with sincere mutual commitment and will, this year, we can significantly enhance and positively finalize the talks on the problem that our southern neighbor has with the name of our country, the Republic of Macedonia. In this regard, of crucial importance is the mediation of the United Nations Secretary General and Mediator Mr. Nimetz. But the support and assistance of your countries and the well-intentioned offers for mediation are very welcome. We remain committed to the process within the framework defined by the resolutions, the Interim Accord and the Judgment of the International Court of Justice. And, in this aspect, the correctness of our foreign policy is clearly confirmed, which is unconditionally based on respect of the international law, which would, otherwise, result today in the reign of the chaos and anarchy in the international relations.

We are witnessing a paradigm shift in terms of the foreign policy worldwide. Credibility, constructiveness and sincerity in the cooperation today are replaced by the old worn-out diplomatic methods and practices, such as: outwitting, arrogance, hypocrisy and false friendships. The Republic of Macedonia will, in the future as well, continue to be a credible, constructive and honest actor in international community, by its unreserved application and practice of the international law and the highest universal values and achievements.

Dear Friends,

At the very end, let me make a toast for the new 2013, in the hope that it will make all our desires, expectations and positive ambitions come true. Let us make this toast, in the spirit of what was written by a famous German writer – “To everything we lack in our lives!” And, here, I would add: To everything that is always insufficient in our lives.

With this thought, at the very end, I wish you and your families much health, happiness and prosperity.

Thank you.