Last Modified: August, 1997
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Created and Maintained by: Macedonia FAQ Development Team Copyright © 1996, 1997, All Rights Reserved |
Throughout the whole period of the horrific war that has engulfed the
former Yugoslav republics, the citizens of Macedonia showed a very high
level of awareness and respect for peace. By strongly condemning all
extremism and by implementing the rules of democracy, we succeeded in
preserving our country from war. Attempts were made to push Macedonia into
the whirls of this great dirty war, but its reasonable and peaceful
policies, together with the tolerance of its citizens, preserved Macedonia
from the most terrible evil of humanity at the end of the 20th century -the
war in the former Yugoslavia.However, instead of gaining international support, Macedonia and the citizens of Macedonia had to endure an unjust blockade imposed by neighboring Greece, a blockade that closed its border towards Macedonia during the war, cut off our access to the sea, prohibited any movement of Macedonian goods to Greek sea ports, and of course, of international goods that needed to reach Macedonia through Greek ports.
Brutally breaching all international rules, Greece caused enormous damages to Macedonia. And all because Greece does not agree to our country bearing the Constitutional name it has borne for over 50 years.
Greece feels that is has a historic right to the name Macedonia and it wishes to confiscate the identity of a whole nation - the Macedonians. The citizens of Macedonia survived this blockade as well, patiently and with discipline, showing ultimate understanding for the difficulties that our country was confronted with.
The injustice that was caused to Macedonia in regards to our name, at plain sight of the overall international community, is continuing to this very day.
Enduring injustice and hardship
During the time of the war, Macedonians had to endure yet another injustice -- the closing of the northern border towards Serbia due to the compliance with international sanctions and blockades towards this country. These two great and difficult blockades had an enormous impact on the Macedonian economy and of course on the standard of living of the people. Yet, in spite of it all, we have survived.
A nation that can fulfill its dreams
We succeeded in coming through all of these adversities. Moreover, in this period we also succeeded in putting into practice the most difficult economic reforms. Why then, shouldn't we be confident that Macedonia and its citizens will fulfill their dream of becoming a democratic, economically developed country, full-fledged member of the European Union, of NATO and of all significant international associations?
We have secured all preconditions for realizing these objectives: Macedonia is a European country with a parliamentary democracy and a market economy. Hence we can not but seek our place among the ranks of the free world.
We have succeeded in saving our country and our people from the war and from blockades. Why then, should we not succeed in realizing our dream, with the support of the just world and the United States?
Branko Crvenkovski
Prime Minister of the Repubhc of Macedonia
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Created and Maintained by: Macedonia FAQ Development Team Copyright © 1996, 1997, All Rights Reserved |