Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me first extend my gratitude to His Highness, the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, for the invitation to participate in this significant forum. Topics such as development of an open dialogue on all issues related to human rights, equal opportunities, the rule of law and free information flow, allow us to feel the pulse of the international community regarding important and current topics and in an open debate to express our views. I shall now refer to the key topic, security and stability, the prerequisites for all other issues.

Respected,

The world today, equally shares the benefits as well as the challenges of the new era. In conditions of growing global interdependence, we cannot and we do not want any longer to function as separate, divided worlds. Regional and global security and stability are undoubtedly based on increased communication and shared responsibility.

Taking into account this interdependence, I will elaborate on the security situation in the region of Southeast Europe, the wider European region and in the world, as well as the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia in the general peace building process.

The security on the European continent cannot be imagined if Southeast Europe is not safe. It is something that history has witnessed many times. Not entering deeper into history, I shall point out only one fact that will give you a proper insight. The most recent real wars on European soil, which shook tremendously the international pubic, at the end of last century, were fought in Southeast Europe, on the Balkans, maybe the most traumatic and bloody was the one in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Now there are new circumstances. For the first time in history, at the transition from the 20th to the 21st century, in every country there are democratically elected governments. However, the risks to security and stability in the region are not fully eradicated. There are still issues that are complex, which burden the relations, which create concerns. All this means alertness, attention and commitment of all. And the way out, the decision, believe me, is not so complicated, it only requires vision and determination. Instead of the status quo situation, expedite integration of all Balkan countries into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures in necessary. The European and Euro-Atlantic idea are moving our societies in the desired direction - towards prosperity and welfare. They urge us to maintain close bilateral and regional cooperation especially in areas that only 10 years ago were unimaginable. That is the concept of Pax Europana, the concept of open space. It is my vision for the Republic of Macedonia and the overall region. Indeed, it is the vision of the creators of European unification. We share the same vision.

Only in this way, Southeast Europe shall find its real place in the collective security and defense systems. Only then will Europe be truly stable.

Distinguished participants,

The Republic of Macedonia has a lot to say on this topic. We diligently undertake a range of concrete actions to promote security and stability in the region. In this determination we are guided by the understanding that security begins with tidying up of your own backyard. We are aware that stability begins at home. And without the Macedonian security and stability, the security and stability in the Balkans, in Southeast Europe, is hardly imaginable.

The Republic of Macedonia, as a multiethnic, multi-confessional, multi-linguistic country, over the years created a unique model of coexistence. Great attention, time and energy are spent on establishing the Macedonian model of integration.

The inclusive model of integration without assimilation, which today is a real challenge for many countries, is a reality in the Republic of Macedonia. It is one of the foundations of our security, stability and economic prosperity, since it creates favorable conditions for building internal peace, but also confidence among the neighbors. This is our contribution to the regional and European stability.
In Macedonia, approximately 20 ethnic and national communities enjoy all the rights and freedoms known today. We promote and improve on a daily basis this model. Thus, the Republic of Macedonia, in a neuralgic region, creates security. It is the greatest strength of the Republic of Macedonia. However, I am convinced that the Macedonian model is the model of the future. I am confident that young generations will be able to witness my thesis.
Therefore, we are ready to share Macedonian experience and benefits with all.

Respected,

Nurturing and building good relations with neighbors is yet another contribution that we provide to peace in the region. We recognized the youngest European state, the Republic of Kosovo and established diplomatic relations, thus we made a further step in building close, correct and functional neighborly relations. With the demarcation of the northern border with Kosovo we resolved one big security issue. How essential this is, shows the fact that we are the only country from Ex-Yugoslavia with a completely closed border issues. Such issues still encumber the relations between states, not only in our region. These three positive steps are Macedonia’s concrete contribution to the security and stability in the region. But this picture will not be complete unless I add that we do build the relations with Serbia with the same dedication and attention. And not only with these neighbors, but with all other states.  

Building security in South-East Europe will be more successful by expanding the zone of peace in Europe through NATO and the European Union enlargement process. To establish security cooperation it is necessary to strive towards a common future. Such a tendency among the Balkan countries exists. Such a tendency exists as well in my country and among my fellow countrymen.

We are aware that today, to assure our own security, it is necessary to consider the security of the others. Therefore, we participate in the peacekeeping mission of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Althea. Accordingly, we contribute to the European security and defense policy and to regional peace and stability.

Distinguished,

To be sustainable, security must be comprehensive. It needs to ensure well-being of the individual and the society, of the state, but of the international community, too.

The world is changing and we must change along. Previously, space took our time away, and today this is not the case. Territory loses its importance as the world becomes flat. This opens up new opportunities and new challenges. The challenges of new time - global terrorism, proliferation of mass destruction weapons, international organized crime, trafficking in drugs and human beings, threaten us all.

Peace and security are disturbed on a daily basis in certain regions in the world. We are facing old, frozen conflicts, but also a series of new events and tensions in several regions in the world. And all this is reflected in the global security.

Today's global threats require global response. We are aware that the lack of order in Afghanistan spreads real risks even outside of the borders of Afghanistan. We are aware that the risks in that region are real for Europe and for the Balkans. Therefore, we invest in our and in European security. Therefore, the Republic of Macedonia made available its peacekeepers in defending the values of freedom and democracy. With active participation in the peacekeeping mission, Macedonia acts as a de facto member of NATO alliance.

Dear all,

Macedonia is providing a multi-layer contribution. Macedonia contributes to the security and global stability at sub-regional, regional and global level, by building and promoting a model of multiethnic coexistence, by promoting dialogue among peoples, cultures and religions, as the safest, non-violent path to peace. We encourage this dialogue by organizing the World Conference, Dialogue among Civilizations, Conference on Inter-religious and Inter-civilization Dialogue in Ohrid, Macedonia. In this regard, we are grateful to the State of Qatar for the generous support. It is a proof that we are not alone in our efforts. On the contrary, we have a strong support.

At the end, let me finish with a conclusion that developing our societies in the spirit of peace and understanding, we send a clear message. World peace depends on us all. The world today, according to many criteria, repeatedly is in an emergency situation. World economic crisis, climate change, global and regional security challenges, lack of tolerance, lack of dialogue etc. are things that need to renew the vision of extended responsibility and cooperation.

Thank you