Distinguished Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to greet this important summit which symbolizes the regional commitment to cooperation and shared values. I would like to extend my congratulations to the current chair and host of this important forum, Montenegro, on the results and on the successful chairmanship with the Process. At the same time, let me convey my sincere wishes for a successful chairmanship with the South-East Europe Cooperation Process to the Republic of Serbia.

In the past 15 years, Macedonia has built a sense of pride and satisfaction of being part of this indigenous initiative, which in the past years justified its existence, focusing on policies and development goals of common interest.

Thanks to our esteemed hosts, today we are at the beautiful Sveti Stefan, which used to be in the past an island – a fortress, isolated and separated from the European mainland. Only ten years ago, many of our countries were separated islands. Today, Sveti Stefan is the place from where we send a clear and unambiguous message on our commitment to openness and connectivity in building a common future through cooperation. Indeed, in this globalized and interdependent world, not a single nation or a country is an island for itself. We all feel that the challenges faced by all countries in the region as well as the opportunities which have to be rightfully valued, shall lead us to increased cooperation.


Ladies and Gentlemen,

We, in the region of South Eastern Europe, are striving to build the future by investing in joint projects and development programs of common interest. It is through such programs that opportunities for mutual trust, shared interests and perspectives are opened, which is primarily a responsibility towards our citizens.

My vision is based on the so-called "three Es" – Europe, Economy and Energy. Each and every one of them is related to the others in a dual sense.

Compared with the situation only ten years ago, when completely different issues were on the agenda for Southeast Europe, today, we discuss and agree on concrete projects, for infrastructure, economic and energy connectivity, for investments and trade, for cultural and social cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I want to assure you that the Republic of Macedonia remains dedicated to its long-term goals and priorities, guided by the basic principle of openness to all, closeness with everyone. Our goals are clear: Macedonia as full-fledged member of NATO and the European Union, Macedonia, which develops good relations with all its neighbors, Macedonia included in all regional initiatives, Macedonia open to the world, to the international community, to all. Following these goals that I have been personally focused on in the past two years, I can responsibly say that the results are evident.

The recently held early parliamentary elections in my country have proven that the majority of the citizens support these goals and priorities, which is an obligation for the newly elected state authorities. Also, I can confirm that the regular communication we have with almost all our neighbors has been transformed into concrete arrangements, the implementation of which will be beneficial for all. We have left the prejudices from the past in the past, so that we can focus on the present, envisaging and tracing the future.

With satisfaction I can say that we are also encouraged with the achievements of our neighbors in the region, which make us glad. We walked along with some of you towards NATO membership, a journey that the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Croatia have finished successfully.

This is an excellent opportunity to congratulate the Republic of Croatia on the progress made in its European integrations. The recent positive decision of the European Council concerning Croatia's membership in the European Union is a positive signal for all of us in the region, since such a step is required for all Western Balkan countries.

We are convinced that your success is our success as well, and success of the entire region. And this also refers to all our neighbors without any exception. The Republic of Macedonia wishes to establish most direct cooperation with all its neighbors, considering especially the challenges and the opportunities of these new times.

Dear friends,

History has shown that enlargement of the European Union is the most important, not only development but also peace project of the European continent, which enabled the European countries to overcome their historical and accumulated problems and differences. In the past ten years, our region partially felt the benefits of the integration process. However, the project of the European unification is not yet finalized.

Hence, the Balkans today needs support to continue the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes. With the integration, we will all contribute to democracy and the rule of law in the European open space. Thus, the European success will depend on us all. Through the implementation of the reforms, through the regional cooperation, we all share the responsibility and our countries, individually and all together, trace the future. However, the responsibility is also shared; there is no dilemma. When I say all together, I do not refer only to the countries of our region, but whole Europe, all countries of our continent. The European partners also have responsibility and duty. That is how I understand the process of enlargement.

Without the integration of our region we can not speak for a full and successfully accomplished process. Only a fully united Europe can be competitive to the other major and emerging powers. Only Europe as such will be able to cope with numerous problems, today, tomorrow and in the future. Europe must not be surprised with events such as the collapse of Yugoslavia, North Africa and the Mediterranean, or the problems in the Eurozone. The European Union leaders have an obligation to act in the interest of Europe. I believe in the vision and leadership of the European leaders, I am not discouraged, although the Republic of Macedonia is exposed to unequal treatment, we have been given additional criteria, which is not the case with any other country on our continent, and even beyond.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The greatest power of our region, and of Europe, is in its openness and unity, while the main threat comes out of its closeness and dividedness. Only together we can solve issues like regional energy connectivity, joint transport corridors, common rail infrastructure. Our countries have a unique location. On the one hand, we rely on Europe, which is the leading region in the world in the rule of law and democracy, economic development, built infrastructure and educated population. On the other hand, our countries share the borders with the countries of East, which, as economies, are booming. The Southeast Europe is a natural bridge between the developed core of Europe and some of the fastest growing economies in the world, the most important sources of energy, the largely unexploited capacities of human capital and consumer potential. We can be extremely important transmitter of knowledge, capital and positive values between these two regions. But as individual countries, we are not able in terms of infrastructure, politically or economically to play a role between Europe and its immediate neighborhood. The Balkans must function as a united region, part of the united European market, and be an important European communication link to the world.

In that regard, the countries of our region can be fully involved in the mission to unite Europe, and provide jointly their undoubted potential and contribution.

Thank you.