Почитуван Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a real honor and pleasure for me to address you here, in the heart of Europe , in this prestigious international institute that bears the glorious name of Lamoral, the Count of Egmont. He was and still is an inspiration to all those who strived to freedom and flexibility. This is exactly what I will speak about today.
Two decades ago, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the horizon of hope for the peoples of Eastern Europe became open. Many of them now live as citizens of a united Europe . However, the military disasters on the territory of the former Yugoslavia , thousands of casualties and displaced persons, showed that the tragedy in European history was yet not over. Following the tragic last decade of the XX century, it was proven that the old continent needs badly the spirit of the visionaries and fathers of the New Europe. Then and even now, indispensable are Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer and all other creators of the vision of the united Europe . The followers of the creators, who erased the European borders, today have a new task, to finally crumble the borders in the Balkans, too. The Balkans, both geographically and historically, is an integral part of Europe . Europe can not be complete without the Balkans.
These creators practically demonstrated that the motto “divide, and then rule” is fatal to Europe . That divided Europe can easily become prey of its own past and destroyer of its own future. That the European progress and future will be secured only on the basis of visionary and creator principle “unite, and then lead”. Only United Europe can be a worthy leader of freedom and prosperity. Only United Europe can successfully act on the international scene and face with global challenges.
Our region nowadays needs what I call Pax Europeanae, because the European idea is a peace project. The vision of Pax Europeanae, the vision of the Republic of Macedonia and of the entire region is related to the immanent need for an open space. Open space in which there is free movement of people, ideas, capital and products, space of open borders and open minds.
Europe as an open space in which everyone enjoys his rights and bears his own identity. As open space in which everyone is respected for what he is, regardless of the place where he lives and where he works. As a space of tolerance and respect for diversity.
Particularly the experiences from the past indicate that our region has survived in peace only when there was an open space. Now the time has come again, through the Balkans, the European idea to produce peace and stability, as generations of leaders and visionaries in Europe have already done. Or, as Jean Monnet, the father of modern Europe , said:
"To build Europe is to build peace"
Now more than ever before, the Balkans needs Pax Europeana. A confirmation of that is the stabilizing role of the European Union in the Balkans.
For certain, there is no greater driving force of our societies than the integration processes. The ability of Europe to influence its neighborhood, without pressure, without force, to attract neighboring countries in its constellation of democratic and prosperous countries, is one of the greatest strengths of Europe .
In the Balkans, there is too much history and too little geography. Our region can not defeat the ghosts of the past by itself. The very recent history is a proof of this.
A decade ago, the Balkans was still recognizable by the tragedies of the victims and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. The reoccurrence of such events can be prevented only through the integration of the region.
Painful memories of that period are still fresh for the entire Balkans, and we should further work on the healing of the wounds, preserving the memory of the things that happened. We must work still to reach reconciliation.
A decade ago the Balkans was isolated, from inside and outside, both from international embargoes and mutual blockades. Blockades that were directly felt by the Macedonian citizens. It seemed that we were far from the European ideals, light years far from the European ideals of peace, understanding and unity.
The situation in the Balkans from a decade ago has been dramatically changed. For the first time in history, at the transition from the XX-XXI century, all Balkan countries have democratically elected governments. In that one decade of democratization, a new spirit of cooperation was born. Today, the Balkan countries closely cooperate in the fields of economy, infrastructure and energy. The cooperation has been further developed and deepened in terms of security, environmental protection and culture. More and more frequent are the autochthonous Balkan initiatives for confidence building and collaboration among the Balkan peoples and societies.
Today we are witnesses of the things that only a decade ago could not be imagined. Today the countries of the region rejoice at the positive achievements of their neighbors. The success of others in the field of Euro-Atlantic integration we feel as our success.
Great is the merit of the European Union for the progress we have made so far, because the European Union is an inspiration to us all. Best example for this is the Slovenian - Croatian model. Guided by the European idea, these two neighboring countries have successfully managed to evade the vicious circle of blockades. The European idea helped these two neighbors to solve the differences in a European manner.
We, as well, are ready to bridge the differences in a European manner.
I have been doing this since May 12, 2009, the day I took the office of President of the Republic of Macedonia . Since then until today, I have sent several invitations to meet my Greek colleague, President Papoulias. Since then until today, I have taken active and committed part in all global, European and regional forums. The Republic of Macedonia continuously contributes to the security and stability in the region. This is confirmed with our position concerning Kosovo.
Although there are differences in the European positions with regard to Kosovo, however, the vast majority have accepted the independence of Kosovo.
The Republic of Macedonia , as a responsible and consistent partner, has accepted this new Balkan and European reality. Nevertheless, we have not stopped there. Not only that we recognized Kosovo, but we have started developing particularly close relationships with the youngest European country in the field of economy, energy and infrastructure. We believe the acceptance of this new reality to have stabilizing influence in the Balkans.
Yet another confirmation for this is last year's summits in Vlora and this year's summit in Prizren, where I met the Presidents of Albania , Kosovo and Montenegro . Next year, in the same period, I will be hosting this, in a way traditional format. Considering the conclusions of the previous meeting in Prizren, I hope this summit will be extended by the presence of two other neighbors, the Greek President Papoulias and the Serbian President Tadic.
Today, before this lecture at this prestigious institute, I had a meeting with the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy and I invited him to attend the summit next year. I consider that his presence will confirm the commitment of the European Union for development and promotion of cooperation in the Balkans, among the European countries that jointly build their European future. This step will positively complement our common project. It is also the best proof that we follow the majority policy of the structures we belong to.
We are European countries and together we build the European future. Maybe there are differences between us, but we do have a common guideline: a conviction that the European family of nations can not be complete without us.
Despite our deepest commitment to the European unity, to the spirit of the European democracy, despite the obvious successes, there is one issue which, unfortunately, casts a shadow on the overall regional progress. You are all well aware of the hindered Euro-Atlantic integrations of the Republic of Macedonia , due to one absurd dispute.
In the past two decades we have shown constructiveness and made serious concessions. Concessions that no other country would have made. We have made them simply because we believe that the good-neighborly relations are the basis of the European present and future.
Even since the beginning of our independence, with the amendment of the Constitution of 1992, the peaceful policy of my country was confirmed. It was shown that the Republic of Macedonia has no territorial pretensions towards its neighboring countries and that Macedonia will not interfere in the sovereign rights and in the internal affairs of the other countries.
But this did not satisfy the requirements of our southern neighbor.
Instead of recognition and integration, there was an economic blockade. At that time the Republic of Macedonia was almost completely economically cut off the world. To the north - international sanctions to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . To the south - parallel and unilateral embargo imposed by our southern neighbor to force us to change our name and flag. The price of the Greek embargo was paid by the Macedonian citizens. A price that can be measured in billions.
In 1993, the Republic of Macedonia made a significant step - agreed to be admitted to the United Nations under the temporary manner of addressing, with a name that refers to a non-existing country - Yugoslavia . My country made another concession by accepting to discuss the differences over the name. Although natural right of every state is to make a decision for its own name, the Republic of Macedonia met the Greek demands. Macedonia has agreed to talk in order to overcome the dispute.
Despite the steadfast constitutional and political guarantees for the rejection of any territorial claims or interference in the internal affairs of its neighbors, the Republic of Macedonia , in that period, remained internationally isolated. Despite meeting all conditions for recognition which were established by the Arbitrary Commission at the Conference on Yugoslavia , Macedonia remained unrecognized internationally. As a result of this absurd dispute, the membership of the Republic of Macedonia into the United Nations was postponed for two years, the accession to the Council of Europe for four years, and for full membership in the OSCE my country waited for four and a half years. All this happened in an extremely turbulent period of bloody and violent disintegration of Yugoslavia .
In 1995, the Republic of Macedonia made a very difficult decision that is unimaginable for almost all other countries. It was a decision to change the most important national symbol - the national flag, a symbol that identifies Macedonian citizens and hundreds of thousands of Macedonian emigrants worldwide. A symbol, which is deeply embedded in the Macedonian historical memory.
But, once again, this did not satisfy the demands of our southern neighbor.
It is a natural right and need of every country to have its own name, as a legal person has the right and need of legal identity. How can a legal person, a country without legal identity, meet the capacity for communicating with other countries? How can a country without legal identity conclude contracts and participate independently in international relations?
Despite all this, my country met the Greek requirements, and on September 13, 1995 signed the Interim Accord, an agreement intended to open the road of the Republic of Macedonia in the international organizations.
Article 11, paragraph 1 of this Accord stipulates that:
“Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, the Party of the First Part (Greece) agrees not to object to the application by or the membership of the Party of the Second Part (the Republic of Macedonia) in international, multilateral and regional organizations and institutions of which the Party of the First Part is a member; however, the Party of the First Part reserves the right to object to any membership referred to above if and to the extent the Party of the Second Part is to be referred to in such organization or institution differently than in paragraph 2 of United Nations Security Council resolution 817 (1993)”.
The Republic of Macedonia has always adhered to this agreement. Notwithstanding, we were and still we are blocked. Despite the achieved high standards and fulfilled criteria for membership, the Republic of Macedonia today is not a NATO member. Although the request for admission was filed pursuant to the Interim Accord with Greece , in 2008, we did not receive an invitation to formally became part of the Alliance . The name was used and is still being used as an excuse for blocking the Republic of Macedonia .
Such steps do not contribute towards building security and stability in the Balkans. They are not in the spirit of European togetherness, in the spirit of global commitment to a more peaceful and more secure world, the spirit that we are fully committed to. On the contrary, blocking Macedonia 's integration only results in security vacuum in the region. I would like you to know that the blockades of the integration processes are direct blockades of the vision of Pax Europeanae. The blockade is imminent opposition to the EU and NATO objectives - peace, security, stability and prosperity. The blockade is their antithesis. The blockade is anti-European, anti-peace act. This time again, I remind myself of the warning of Jean Monnet: “The veto is a profound reason, and at the same time a symbol of incapacity to overcome national egoisms. Most often it is an expression of the deepest and unconditional blockades”.
Knowing that the vision of Pax Europeanae motivates our society, we are prepared without delay to find a solution, but a solution within the frames of the UN Resolution 817 of 1993. We want a solution, but only within the frames of the Interim Accord with Greece of September 1995. We want neither less nor more.
We consider that the naming of our nation and language is not subject of the negotiations at all because in the UN Resolutions it is clearly stipulated that only the differences over the name should be discussed.
Therefore, I would like to emphasize that neither the Republic of Macedonia nor Greece have exclusivity in using the adjective Macedonian. We have never had a problem with Greece using the adjective, but we do have a problem when we are deprived of this. Evidence of Greece ’s insincerity is the latest developments in relation to the Macedonian presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Greece openly opposed and still opposes the use of the term “Macedonian Chairmanship” or “Macedonian presidency”.
This proves that some politicians in our southern neighbor have problems not only with our name but with the adjective. It is the adjective and the name that reveal our identity. We showed that we are ready to help them to overcome this problem and accept the reality of Macedonia and Macedonians.
We are ready, in a European manner to bridge the differences. It means respecting the fundamental European value - respect for individual freedoms and rights. We are a European country and we require other countries to act in a European meaner towards us.
If we have shown a deep respect for all our neighbors, simply, we want our neighbors to show respect for us.
Our heritage is European. For centuries, this heritage is set in European context. Macedonia is European by definition. The Republic of Macedonia is inhabited by people from different backgrounds, religions, languages. The richness of this diversity makes Macedonia what it is. We are committed to maintain this diversity and protect the civil rights of all our citizens. Our efforts to integrate all elements in the social reality of Macedonia were many times emphasized and praised.
Obligation for each country is not to allow the rights of its citizens to be violated from any side, neither from inside nor from outside. Nobody may, nor can allow, by an act of public law, the issue of privacy, individual human rights to be touched upon - the right to self-identification and the right to human dignity. Simply, it is impossible to accept, and even less possible to implement, a solution which might have such an effect.
Therefore, I would like to point out this clearly that nobody in Macedonia will ever accept to discuss a solution that touches upon Macedonian identity and Macedonian language in the constitutional name of the state. We are fatefully experiencing the old wisdom - nomen est omen – as the name is, such are its characteristics. Our name is a reflection of an essential part of our identity. And we all know that people without identity is like a tree without roots.
We are ready, without delay, to find a solution. But I will repeat: a solution in within the frames of the UN Resolution 817 of 1993. We want a solution, but only within the frames of the Interim Accord with Greece of September 1995. We want neither more, nor less. Our hand of reconciliation is still outstretched.
I am confident that we can reach a solution. I can confirm that, unlike in the past, there is a positive climate now. This is proven by the frequent and regular meetings of the prime ministers of both countries, bilateral as well as within international forums and summits. Things are improving. The mutual trust between the leaders is being restored, trust that is for long present between our two societies, with an exception of certain individuals from both parties. A significant effort is to be made which will result in a solution.
One more thing. From Brussels , from the heart of Europe , I would like to send a clear message. I believe that the European Union can help us in particular. I believe that we can start the negotiations for EU membership. This would be an encouraging step. If a date for opening of the negotiations for the Republic of Macedonia is set, then, I am convinced that this will positively affect the stability of the entire region. It will certainly have a strong and positive effect not only on the Republic of Macedonia but also on the other countries in Southeast Europe .
Let the whole Europe live Europe .
The peaceful coexistence of different ethnic, religious or linguistic communities in Macedonia , apart from all practical everyday difficulties, is not a relict of one world that has fallen apart, but a project of the European future. What is Macedonia today is Europe tomorrow. A community of communities, a model of integration without assimilation.
In times of economic and financial crisis, we need to have more, not less Europe . The crisis may not be an alibi to stop the way of progress, to abandon the path which was outlined by the creators of Europe . On the contrary, precisely in conditions of crisis, we must return to the basic principles that have led the European unification, and which were indeed a motive to overcome the crises of the European countries at that time. The success of these proven principles of solidarity, cooperation, openness, democracy and human rights is the best recommendation, in time of a new crisis, to reconsider the wise decision that initiated the unification of Europe .
If the last crisis was overcome with openness and vision, then there is really no justification for the calls of today's economic, political and moral crisis to react by closing themselves inwardly. The fear is understandable reaction in such conditions, but fear is not good policy, fear is not a political vision at a time when decisions are expected.
In moments of crisis we expect leaders with vision to emerge. In time of crisis, visions are traced. Europe 's leadership should see the present crisis not only as a challenge but also as an opportunity.
This is my vision for Macedonia , for the Southeast Europe region and for Europe . This is my vision of Pax Europeanae. I believe in the wisdom of the European leadership.
Thank you.