Distinguished Attendees,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a real honor and pleasure to be part of this important summit, here in Bratislava, in the heart of Europe. In the place where nearly 12 centuries ago, the All-Slavic educators and saints, Cyril and Methodius, proposed Europe to be founded on two principles. Principles that include all religions and nations: civilization of love and nostalgia for unity. I thank President Gasparovic for the warm hospitality and for the challenging topic.

Esteemed Excellencies,

We live in an era of global change. Era in which the world we know is changing. The symptoms are economical; however, the reasons are primarily political. This is particularly evident in our continent.

Today there are approximately 26 million unemployed in the European Union. There is high level of inflation and stagnation of investment. For some European countries this may be a lost decade, whereas every lost decade, at the same time, means lost generation.

The global economic and financial crisis is also taking its toll in my region, in Southeast Europe. Most countries in the region last year saw a real decline in gross domestic product, and some had decelerated growth rates. The crisis reduced the opportunities for economic development of almost the entire region. Even the EU development and technical support funds face pressure. According to the latest World Bank report, the average foreign direct investment per capita in the region is only 285 dollars. The Republic of Macedonia, however, is not left aside by these challenges.

Even in such circumstances, the Macedonian economy is stable and sustainable. There is a budget deficit of 3.5% of gross domestic product. We have a stable banking system. In terms of public debt, with debt ratio of 34.1%, the Republic of Macedonia is among the lowest indebted countries in Europe. According to the index of economic freedom in the world for 2012, we are ranked on the 43rd position, better than seven countries in our region. According to the ranking of the World Bank for 2013, the Republic of Macedonia is on the high fifth position offering favorable conditions for start-up businesses. We are fourth by easing taxes for 2012. We are the third best reformers the world.

Distinguished Attendees,

We are all part of the ship called Europe. Several years ago, our European ship was hit by the global economic, credit and financial storm. I want to believe that soon we will enter into calmer waters. Until then, we need to find out which parts of the ship will have to be replaced, which can be repaired and which to be strengthened. What is important for the time being is not to lose the compass. That is the objective of the strategy of growth for post-crisis recovery, to which we can all contribute.

The European Union was created as a peace project and it is flawless in times of economic prosperity on the continent. But the crisis has emerged, and, the Union manifested weakness.

We appreciate the efforts of all stakeholders involved in finding solutions, but we need to consider improving the system in order to make it more resistant to economic crises. It is indisputable that the responsibility of each member state is important, but in a family, if the house is caught by fire, it is not important who of the family members has caused the fire. It is important to prevent the fire, and then to repair the house.

I believe part of the answer is in the continuation of the European integration. I will take for example our today’s meeting, which is attended by two teams. The first group encompasses the European Union member states, and the second, is consisted of those countries which are not yet members, but are willing to be. The Republic of Macedonia is in the second group. We all know who will be victorious. Despite the challenges it faces in terms of its economy, governance and responsibility, Europe is the favorite.

As of next month, the team of the European Union will be strengthened by one member more of the Southeast Europe region. Thus, our valued forum will have another member state of the Union, while the Union will be enriched by another member state of the forum. The enlargement of the European Union is beneficial for all of us, and particularly for the Union.

Distinguished Attendees,

The European Union without our region, without each of our countries, including the Republic of Macedonia, is unfinished project. Probably most of us remember the words that our esteemed colleague, President Napolitano uttered in Warsaw, at the dinner with President Obama. The European Union is not Europe, nor is Europe only the European Union. I fully agree with his position. The European Union still needs to work further and to expand in order to be able to speak on behalf of Europe. In two weeks time, yet another opportunity will emerge for reducing the differences between the European Union and Europe. Yet another possibility the Union to get closer to Europe.

In the eve of the European Council, we expect and hope that every country in the region will make a step forward. The Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia would get a date for negotiations. Montenegro would successfully progress in the negotiations to their conclusion. The Republic of Turkey would resume negotiations. The Republic of Albania would become a candidate country. Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Moldova and Kosovo would advance in terms of the European agenda.

Esteemed Excellencies,

With the approximation to the European family, those who want to be part of the club, including my country, too, have to move the societies towards free movement of people, capital, goods and services. It encourages us and makes us focused on the reforms. It instigates greater economic and fiscal discipline. It helps us close the outstanding issues in a European manner.

The region of South-East Europe is slowly but surely recovering from periods of isolation, divisions and conflicts that have marked the last decade of the 20th century. The region is reunited and integrated to our common home - Europe. Transport, infrastructure and energy corridors are being built. Industrial facilities are being developed. The flow of people, goods, capital and services is branching out and deepening. We are building bridges of understanding.

It is also encouraging that the South-East Europe is gathered together here in Central Europe. Unfortunately, it seems that the South-East European countries have no problem to meet outside their own field, of their own region. I hope this challenge will be overcome as well.

Inspired by “Europe 2020: Strategy for wise, sustainable and inclusive growth”, we are working on a joint Southeast Europe economic growth strategy. Growth we need to attain by 2020, less than 7 years. It is a great challenge and a great historic opportunity for each of our countries, for our citizens, our children. The Republic of Macedonia is especially dedicated to the development of this regional strategy, which should be harmonized with the strategy we speak of today.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is said that when the winds of change blow, some people build shelters while others build windmills. Whether the change will be our friend or enemy depends on our approach. If we run away from it, it becomes our enemy. If we face the change, if we try to learn something from it, it becomes our most faithful ally.

Thank you.