The Macedonian Message of Peace
Today, the world perceives the Republic of Macedonia as an atypical Balkan
country. Located in one of the most neuralgic European regions, the
Balkans, the Republic of Macedonia has gained the attention of the
international community for two fundamental reasons: as a key to the peace
in the south of the Balkans, and as a model of successful mastery over the
causes and risks of Balkan instability and conflicts.
What is the ground on which this position, upheld by the Republic of
Macedonia, is founded?
First and foremost, it has been confirmed that an independent, sovereign
and internationally recognized Republic of Macedonia is the surest
guarantee for peace in the south of the region. Because at last, with this
act of independence, the sovereign right of the Macedonian people to self-
determination and to an internationally recognized state has been
fulfilled. Because, with this act a basic reason for Balkan conflicts and
wars- namely the aspirations and claims for "greater-states" by some
neighboring countries towards the Macedonian country and Macedonian people
- has been rendered senseless.
Moreover; of special significance is the fact that the Republic of
Macedonia attained independence in a peaceful and legitimate manner, by way
of a Referendum. We are the only country of the former Yugoslavia that did
not take part in the war, and we are the only nation that has resorted to
peaceful means and dialogue in resolving the outstanding issues and
problems with our neighbors. In this context, the greatest contribution to
the peace was made by the fact that the Republic of Macedonia proclaimed
independence within its present borders, which is inscribed in our
Constitution.
Throughout this whole period, the Republic of Macedonia has defended the
principles of inter-ethnic peace and co-habitation, and the respect for
human and minority rights -- the most Sensitive issues on the ethnically
intermixed Balkan Peninsula. This has proved to be the most sound guarantee
for peace in the Republic of Macedonia and the best alternative for
good-neighborly relations.
As a country in transition, the Republic of Macedonia opted for consistent
implementation of market reforms, and for building a civil society and
parliamentary democracy Despite the complex conditions resulting from the
war in the region, despite severed economic and political communication,
economic embargoes and high social risks, today the Republic of Macedonia
is undertaking economic reforms with success.
The Republic of Macedonia has opted for the process of Europeization of the
Balkans and for its integration in European Associations. Because we
believe that the best alternative for peace and security on the European
Continent is the process of peace, friendship and cooperation between
Balkan countries and nations, the development of democratic standards and
particularly the advancement of national minorities rights, as well as
political dialogue for resolving the problems between states, and wider, in
the region. The transformation of the Balkans from a merely geographical
into an integral economic and political European region is in the interest
of world peace and cooperation.
These principles have enabled the Republic Macedonia, as a member of the
United Nations, to be a successful example of UN preventive diplomacy,
facilitated by preventive deployment of UN peace keeping forces. The
deployment of the United States contingent within the framework of the
UNPREDEP in the Republic of Macedonia has been confirmed exceptionally
important in preventing an escalation of the war to the south of the
Balkans and the best prevention from other possible conflicts.
The face of the Balkans today is changing. Undoubtedly some risks still
remain, especially in view of the permanent setting of the peace in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, the unsettled status of Kosovo, the stability of the
economic and democratic processes in some Balkan countries and the
divisions in the region along ethnic, religious or the so called post
bi-polar lines. Notwithstanding, the lessor learned from the dissolution of
the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, from the war in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, from iron curtains, lack of trust and lack of
understanding are as clear as they are horrific. The Balkans need peace,
cooperation and understanding between countries and nations The Balkans
need an European future. The Republic of Macedonia will continue to give
its full contribution to that course.
Kiro Gligorov
President of the Republic of Macedonia
Macedonian Cultural and Historical Resource
Center
Last Modified: August, 1997
