Distinguished attendees,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Real honor and pleasure is to be here, in Warsaw, attending this significant Summit, in the year when Europe is marking the 20th anniversary of the end of the Warsaw Pact, when the countries behind the Iron Curtain finally experienced freedom, democracy and prosperity. For me personally, the symbolism of my presence here today is even greater because this year the Republic of Macedonia celebrates 2 decades of its autonomy, independence and sovereignty. Such anniversaries give us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and to look into the future willingly and with pride.

I may freely say that the Republic of Macedonia, in the past 20 years, in dramatic circumstances, faced with serious temptations, has achieved evident success in the struggle for its independence and in the advancement of the European and Euro-Atlantic integrations. The success achieved is based on hardships, hard work, but above all on our commitment to what we want to achieve. Believe me, the goals were clear to us since the very beginning: Macedonia as a full-fledged NATO and the European Union member. Macedonia as a country developing good relations with all its neighbors. Macedonia, involved in all regional initiatives. Macedonia open to the world, to the international community, to all. Progressing towards these strategic goals, we succeeded in reforming our system towards a more advanced democracy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, 20 years after proclaiming independence, the Republic of Macedonia is a country which has met all NATO acceding criteria.

Indeed, it is well known that there is an irrational reason which hinders us from utilizing the benefits of the North-Atlantic Alliance membership. However, I believe that this obstacle may be removed.

What is more important than the blockade of NATO membership is our natural affiliation to this family and the compatibility with the Euro-Atlantic values, principles and standards. Our peace-keepers in Afghanistan, along with their partners, are there to defend security, stability and freedom. They are Macedonia’s greatest investment for a safer world.

Today, 20 years after the historic wise decision of the Macedonian people for independence and sovereignty, today, the Republic of Macedonia is ready to launch negotiations for the European Union membership.

And, there is the same irrational issue blocking us again. Once again, I would like to extend my confidence that, with goodwill, with constructiveness, which we make obvious, with strict adherence to the discussion frameworks, this issue may be resolved. But at the same time, today the Republic of Macedonia, the entire region of Southeast Europe, needs the wisdom and the vision of the European leaders. The vision which was present in the first days of the establishment of the European family, the wisdom we witnessed 20 years ago in the great victory of democracy and freedom over the irrational and unsustainable regimes.

I hope that the European leaders, at the upcoming European Council meeting, will support us and enable the Republic of Macedonia to continue the path towards the European Union. Such a step is needed for all Western Balkan countries, for us, for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Croatia. Thus, we would be given the chance, along with the accession negotiations to complete the talks on the name dispute. Be assured, we do not ask for privileges. We want to be appraised for what we have achieved. We ask for equal and fair treatment. Do you think that such a civilization project like the European Union would have been possible today, if bilateral questions were imposed over the core European interests? Not at all. The project of European unification helped overcome prejudices and problems in a European manner. That is what we are asking for. This is needed because we have made a remarkable progress in meeting the Copenhagen and the Euro-Atlantic criteria, something that entails enforcement of serious reforms in all social spheres. We are at least at the equal stage of development and meeting criteria as the other member states, during their status of candidate countries for membership.

Is there a greater constructiveness, is there a greater contribution to the European idea, to stability and prosperity of the entire region, than our southern neighbor to unblock the European integration in this stage of the process? This would mean a lot to us, and would also be perceived as encouragement for all Western Balkan countries. This would mean re-opening of our region. I hope our neighbor will take into account all these arguments. Indeed, not only that they do not lose anything, but, I believe that Greece will benefit from this.

Esteemed Excellencies,

At this point, let me focus on one important benefit that makes us particularly proud of.

Since independence until today, the Republic of Macedonia managed to create a unique model of a multiethnic democracy, a model of integration without assimilation. The Ohrid Framework Agreement, which is probably the most successful agreement in the wider region of South-East Europe, the centuries-old tradition of coexistence, tolerance, and, foremost, properly understanding of the world of differences, received its legitimacy and value.

Certainly, multiculturalism and multiethnic democracy are never ending issues, being constantly faced with new challenges, but I firmly believe that our model is a model of the future. Therefore, we stand ready to share experiences and benefits with our neighbors in the region and beyond. This is our investment and best political export product, which, for the European neighbors, may be useful in establishing their democratic systems.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One of the key topics of this session was the issue of which institutions were crucial to the democratic development of the countries in our region. I may say that in the case of Macedonia and of the entire region, institutions were not concerned, but ideas.

The idea of European and Euro-Atlantic unity was vital for the democratic processes in our country and our region. My fellow citizens have recognized real and lasting value in the idea of a united Europe that can lead them to the desired prosperity. My fellow citizens see in the united Europe an opportunity for a better life, security, democracy, political and interethnic stability.

The European idea urges the leadership of the South-East Europe countries to a close cooperation. What the region of South-East Europe needs definitely is more Europe. Today and now. We need accelerated integration because it is the main motivator, since there is no greater driving force of our societies than the EU integration process.

Unlike ten years ago, when completely different issues were on the agenda in the South-East Europe, nowadays, with my colleagues form the direct neighborhood and from the wider region, we discuss concrete projects, infrastructure, economic and energy connectivity, environmental issues, improved and shared access to prevention and response to natural disasters. Today, the governments in the region are committed to the joint fight against organized crime and other negative phenomena. Accelerated, balanced and sustainable development in the region remains our common goal, value and benefits.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Let me reiterate that the Republic of Macedonia remains committed to its highest goals and priorities, driven by the basic principle of openness to all, close relations with everyone. Being committed to the goals that I have been focused on in the past two years, it can responsibly be concluded that the results are evident.

We have transformed the regular communication with almost all neighbors into real cooperation on specific issues. We have left the prejudices from the past in the past, in order to be able to focus on the present, looking and tracing the future. Unfortunately, not by my fault, I do not have communication with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Papoulias only.
 
Not only that we are participating in all indigenous initiatives, we have made a step further by providing our initiatives. I am particularly glad that with the presidents of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro we have established cooperation which, in the coming months, will be crowned in Ohrid by signing the Ohrid Declaration. A declaration aimed to encourage the governments on cooperation and to oblige our successors to continue the cooperation. It is no secret that the inspiration for this, let’s call it the Ohrid group, comes out precisely of the fruitful cooperation established by the Visegrad Group.

Distinguished Excellencies,

There is one thing for which neither the Republic of Macedonia nor the South-East Europe can boast with a dramatic success. We need to be honest to ourselves and to our citizens. We failed to meet sufficiently the expectations of our citizens for a higher standard of living.

In the Republic of Macedonia the transition process lasted for too long, unlike in other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Finally, in the past five years we have a government which is focused, with all its capacity, on this issue and, indeed, has achieved results. The trend is good, and it makes me optimistic. However, the huge economic and financial crisis emerged and left its traces. Yet, we were able to maintain our economic and financial stability, and this year we expect improvement and restoration of the progress. I do expect that the integration and the economic development will be high on the agenda of the new government as well.

What is specific for the Republic of Macedonia is that the economic growth and integrations are as a two-way street. There is interdependence between the integrations and the economic situation. The blockades of our integrations affect the number, quality and quantity of foreign direct investments. But we are not discouraged.

At the very end, let me conclude: the idea is moving forward and motivating our democratic development. To continue on the same path, we need more Europe and not less. I believe that the European leaders will consistently follow the ideas of the visionaries and founders of Europe. I believe that the mission of this generation is to finish the deeds initiated by Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer - to unite Europe, and to finally integrate the Southeast of Europe.

Thank you.