It is a privilege and a
great honour for me today to address this unique forum
where great and small, powerful and less powerful
nations speak with one voice; a forum we undoubtedly
expect to result in dialogue and leadership in order to
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deal with the challenges to peace and security, hunger
and development, human rights and climate change.
Success will be possible only by overcoming
individual interests. I am convinced that today more
than ever, each of us individually and all of us together
have reasons to turn our words into actions.
Let me first congratulate Mr. Joseph Deiss on his
election as the President of the General Assembly at its
sixty-fifth session and assure him of my delegation’s
readiness to cooperate during his term. I also
congratulate the former President, Mr. Treki, on
successfully presiding over the Assembly at its sixty-
fourth session. At the same time I would like to take
this opportunity to acknowledge the engagement and
the efforts made by the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban
Ki-moon, to strengthen the role of our Organization.
At the outset, I would like to say a few words on
the consequences of the global financial and economic
crisis, and I will refer in particular to the role of the
United Nations in this context.
The global economic and financial crisis
threatened to reverse the progress made in achieving
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and
efforts to attain peace in all regions. I think that all we
Member States and the United Nations system in
general successfully dealt with it. Timely, joint and
adequate solutions were found to many of the
problems. Processes were initiated to mitigate the
effects of the crisis and to face possible future crises.
Actions were taken to help the most affected,
according to the agreed action plans and with
appropriate support and cooperation, often resulting in
successful outcomes. Let us not forget that economic,
financial and social security is a foundation on which
sustainable development, national and global security
and prosperity rest.
Five years remain before the deadline for the
implementation and realization of the Millennium
Development Goals. That objective is still before us —
an objective we must not give up on achieving now,
despite the decelerated pace of implementation. We are
all aware of the high stakes and potential benefits. I
welcome the outcome of the High-level Plenary
Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals held
last week, when we all pledged to strengthen our
efforts to attain the ultimate goal.
The Republic of Macedonia, as before, remains
strongly committed to achieving the Goals, as reflected
at the national level in the Government’s strategy for
economic and sustainable development and in national
legislation, which is adapted to the current obligations
deriving from international treaties and agreements.
On the other hand, global climate change is both
a serious threat to our planet and survival. Frequent
natural disasters and humanitarian catastrophes have
made it clear that nature reacts to the irresponsible
attitude that humankind has adopted towards it.
However, the struggle to preserve nature must not only
be a matter of declarations; it must enjoy global
leadership and be visible in every small town, every
State, and the strict observance and development of
national strategies. Successful formulas must be
transformed into in a common global struggle to
preserve our way of life, side by side with the needs of
the planet.
The Republic of Macedonia stands ready to
contribute adequately to the global efforts. Many
initiatives have been undertaken. We are truly focused
on the best possible weapons in this struggle:
awareness-raising and education on and a culture of
reducing the use of electricity by using alternative
energy sources and reductions in harmful emissions. As
a party to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change for over a decade, my country has
worked actively to achieve the Convention’s
objectives.
Unfortunately, the world still does not live in the
desired peace and prosperity. Unfortunately, every day
we continue to witness disturbances to peace and
security in certain regions in the world, both in old and
frozen conflicts and in the emergence of new tensions
in several regions in the world. If the fundamental
institutional goal and essential objective of this
Organization is to spare humanity from suffering, wars
and conflicts, then we should ask ourselves whether
our efforts have been sufficient to secure peace and
prosperity. The answer is no, neither globally nor
regionally.
The consequences of the global financial and
economic crisis and the slow pace of implementation
of the MDGs have had a serious impact on the essence
of conflicts, often because of a lack of democratic
processes and rule of law in certain areas. Only by
promoting peace, human rights and the rule of law
through dialogue and tolerance can we make the world
a just and fair place to live in.
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In the context of what I have just said, I welcome
the relevance of this session’s theme, which should
help create effective responses to global crises and
restore the role of the United Nations in global
governance. The genuine vision of the founders of the
United Nations should be restored. They have left us a
legacy.
The Republic of Macedonia strongly supports the
joint efforts to improve the overall coherence of the
United Nations system. I believe that we all agree that
it was and remains necessary to redefine the
functioning of the United Nations system in order to
respond to the demands and priorities of the Member
States in the best and most effective manner possible.
We should create a highly functional global governance
organization that has no overlapping of mandates, but
achieves maximal effect through an appropriate and
transparent use of existing resources.
Since gaining independence, the Republic of
Macedonia has been fully committed to substantial
reforms in all areas aimed at promoting democracy and
improving the standards of living of its citizens, based
on historical traditions of respect for multiethnic
coexistence, dialogue and mutual understanding.
Our achievements in this context have been
validated and internationally recognized. Therefore, the
Republic of Macedonia rightfully expects a date to be
set to begin negotiations on its accession to the
European Union (EU) and an invitation to join NATO.
We have enforced the necessary reforms to join NATO,
we have been an EU membership candidate country for
five years, and last year we received a positive
recommendation to start negotiations with the EU.
Unfortunately, our citizens have not yet felt the full
benefits of that. And yet, the reforms that brought us to
the front doors of these organizations were not at all
easy. In addition, my country is actively committed to
regional cooperation and to building good-neighbourly
relations. Macedonia accepts and promotes dialogue as
the only mechanism for overcoming all outstanding
issues in the region.
The Republic of Macedonia has directed all its
available capacities and resources towards
implementing our top strategic foreign policy goals:
integration into the EU and NATO membership. I
would like to remind the Assembly that, 15 years ago
here in New York, the Interim Accord was signed with
our southern neighbour, whereby Greece agreed not to
obstruct my country’s membership of and integration
into international and regional organizations.
Nevertheless, I must note that my country is still
waiting at the doors of these two organizations due to
the actions of our southern neighbour, which are
contrary to the obligations under the 1995 Interim
Accord.
The Republic of Macedonia is fully committed to
the process of resolving its differences with Greece
within the framework of the mechanism established by
United Nations resolutions. Our name is at stake, as is
our right to self-identification and human dignity. We
have done our utmost to nurture close and friendly
relations with our neighbour Greece and its people. A
solution will be reached only if the United Nations
Charter, the relevant resolutions and international law
and its principles, on which the international order
rests, are respected.
The Republic of Macedonia and its citizens
deserve to enjoy the benefits of NATO membership and
to start EU accession negotiations.
Yesterday, here at the United Nations, I had a
meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, which sought
to build a climate of mutual trust and understanding. I
hope that, as two neighbouring countries that have
lived and will live with one another, we will be able to
find a mutually acceptable solution. It will be a big
step not only for us but also towards fulfilling our
common vision for the whole region.
I must say that I am encouraged by the situation
in our region. The more intensive communication and
cooperation efforts are, the better understanding and
respect will be. By accepting dialogue as the only way
to overcome inherited problems and open issues, we
create a new climate. Proof of this was the second
Balkan Leaders Forum, which was held here in New
York City a couple of days ago. Slowly but surely, the
Balkans is restoring its impaired dignity. The Balkans
again aspires to become part of the European space,
where European values, European criteria and
European principles will be respected. The Balkans has
been, is and will be Europe.
Let me conclude with the statement that the
Republic of Macedonia believes in the United Nations
and the postulates upon which it rests. I believe that the
United Nations can maintain the stability of
international order and relations and successfully meet
current and future global challenges. The Republic of
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Macedonia stands ready to further provide its
constructive contribution to the implementation and
realization of these goals.