Macedonia

I have the special honour and privilege today to address this esteemed forum and to share with you the views of the Republic of Macedonia regarding the topics of this session, but also on other current issues that concern us all, directly or indirectly. At the outset, I would like to convey my congratulations and to greet the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session, Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki. I would also like to extend to him our full readiness for cooperation in the course of his mandate. At the same time, I wish to congratulate the President of the Assembly at its sixty-third session, Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, for his successful presidency. Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to acknowledge the engagements and the efforts of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, which indisputably have contributed to the enhancement of the role and reputation of the Organization. Before I refer to the key theme of this session, I would like to remind the Assembly of the fear and uncertainty we all felt exactly one year ago, right here. It was fear and uncertainty over the scope and the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis. I recall this in order to emphasize the urgent need for the United Nations to use this opportunity to contribute to processes that will facilitate the overcoming of the effects of the crisis. It is even more important that we assist in preventing new such crises. In this context the serious economic problems most of us have been facing should not shift our focus from the absolute priority, which is the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. The issue of climate change, which today represents one of the biggest challenges facing humanity, is extremely high on our national agenda, but also on that of the United Nations. We owe it to our children and to the generations to come to preserve our planet. If we do not establish, urgently and immediately, the highest and most sustainable standards for how we treat the environment, we will pay the price in the future. Time is running out, and there is no possibility for us to further postpone 21 09-52463 coordinated and serious measures to combat the negative consequences of climate change. Climate change and global warming have an increasingly serious impact on economic growth and on the quality, quantity and price of food. That exacerbates poverty. It is therefore imperative that we tackle this issue immediately. The Republic of Macedonia, as a party to the Framework Convention on Climate Change for more than a decade now, has been actively working on implementing the goals set out in the Convention. We have — including me personally — assigned special significance to the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and we all have great expectations for it. The Macedonian authorities are truly committed to undertaking numerous concrete activities with a view to raising awareness in society regarding this issue. The Republic of Macedonia is fully prepared to make its contribution to the global effort. When we address issues related to peacekeeping and stability, a large majority of us, unfortunately, regularly expresses dissatisfaction regarding the current state of affairs. Peace and security are compromised on a daily basis in certain regions of the world. We are faced with the continuation of old and frozen conflicts, but also with a series of new tensions in many regions throughout the world. When it comes to the reasons for the constant crises besetting our world, or certain parts of it, allow me to seize this opportunity to quote Martin Luther King, who in 1967 uttered a recipe for overcoming bilateral, regional and global crises. He said: “Let us be dissatisfied until from every city hall, justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Let us be dissatisfied until that day when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together, and every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid.” With reference to these words, I welcome the topic of this session, which is meant to assist us in finding effective responses to global crises. The responses to most questions must take into consideration not only the present and the reality of today’s world, but on top of that, we must anticipate the future and take on board the objectives we have set ourselves. Instead of paying lip service to multilateralism, which I do not believe will help, a real approach based on meaningful multilateralism and action is required. The Republic of Macedonia and I personally strongly believe in and strive towards effective multilateralism. We believe that strengthening multilateralism is the only way to advance towards and achieve our primary goals of peace, democracy, human freedoms and rights and respect of international law and principles. The Republic of Macedonia strongly supports joint efforts to improve the overall coherence of the United Nations system. We need a United Nations that will, in the best possible and most efficient manner, realize the expectations and the objectives of its Member States. The Republic of Macedonia is a country that has immense experience in nurturing and affirming dialogue and in advancing dialogue among civilizations. It is a unique example of a successful multi-ethnic and multi-faith country. The summit on Dialogue Among Civilizations that was held in the Republic of Macedonia, in Ohrid in 2003, with assistance and support from the United Nations, is an example of the kind of regular annual meetings at the highest level that are being held in South-East Europe under the auspices of UNESCO. This not only represents recognition for my country but also demonstrates the value of dialogue in the advancement of security and in development. Since its independence, the Republic of Macedonia has been unswervingly committed to the promotion of democracy and the improvement of the living standards of its people, and to reform in all spheres of our economy. The Republic of Macedonia promotes a society founded upon the rule of law, respect for human rights, multi-ethnic cohabitation, dialogue and mutual understanding. Over the past number of years, the Republic of Macedonia has achieved impressive progress that has been recognized and acknowledged by all. My country today is looking forward to the initiation of the accession negotiations with the European Union. My country has fulfilled all of the conditions set for NATO membership. It is an active and strong supporter of regional cooperation. It remains fully committed to good-neighbourly relations and to dialogue as a key tool for overcoming all of the issues that continue to beset the region. 09-52463 22 All of my country’s Governments have consistently focused on the realization of the country’s two top strategic priorities: accession to the European Union and accession to NATO. The Republic of Macedonia is dedicated to sharing and contributing to the Euro-Atlantic values in a common vision for the enlargement of the stability and security zone in South- East Europe. The actions of our southern neighbour that prevented the Republic of Macedonia from acceding to the NATO alliance were contrary to the obligations undertaken in the 1995 interim agreement. That was done in an attempt to influence the outcome of the negotiations held under the auspices of the United Nations and was completely opposite to the common vision. Nevertheless, I would like to stress before this forum that the Republic of Macedonia is sincerely dedicated to the process of resolving our differences with our southern neighbour within the framework of the mechanism set out in United Nations resolutions. The Republic of Macedonia believes in law and in justice. The Republic of Macedonia believes in the International Court of Justice as a body of the United Nations and as a protector and upholder of the law. Beyond the absurdity of the dispute with our southern neighbour, the Republic of Macedonia sincerely hopes that soon the only obstacle that prevents us from taking our rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic family will be removed. In spite of the flagrant violation of international obligations by our southern neighbour — in respect whereof the Republic of Macedonia has filed an appeal at the International Court of Justice — we are actively participating in the negotiation process with the Republic of Greece. I would like to state clearly that we are prepared to discuss only the issues foreseen in the United Nations resolutions. The Republic of Macedonia is prepared to seek a solution that is a reasonable and fair compromise and that will not touch upon or deny our national, cultural or linguistic identity in any way, a solution that would obtain the legitimacy and the seal of approval of our citizens. There is no more sovereign right than the right of self- determination and self-identification. That right has been cherished by many generations before us. I hope that the Republic of Greece will abandon its policy of taking action from a position of power in order to unfavourably influence the outcome of the disputed issue. I expect that the political leadership will look towards the wider interest in terms of permanent stabilization of the entire region. We believe that with truthful and sincere willingness and preparedness we can reach a solution whereby there will be neither winners nor losers. Allow me to take this opportunity to recall Article 1, paragraph 2 of the Charter of the United Nations: “[t]o develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace”. Let not this Organization betray the expectations of the vast majority of people who set their hope on it, and let it not betray the ideals of its founders. The Organization must prepare itself to come up with responses to existing and emerging challenges posed by our times. When I say “the Organization”, I refer to all of us who support those processes. The Republic of Macedonia sees in the Organization the potential to maintain stability in international affairs and a unique opportunity to tackle the numerous challenges posed to humanity. The Republic of Macedonia, as has been the case hitherto, shall continue to respect and support the values and principles enshrined in the Charter. Allow me to finish my address with the words of the former Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan, who said that if the goal of humanity is progress in peace and freedom, the state of peace is not only a state free of conflict, it is a state of respecting human freedom and rights. We are still far from that goal. However, indisputably, huge and serious progress has been achieved.