North Macedonia, 1994

Allow me at the outset, Mr. President, to

congratulate Mr. Essy on his election and to wish all

participants in this Assembly success in their work. My

appreciation also goes to the Secretary-General for his

able leadership of our Organization.

At this year’s session the General Assembly will

deal with numerous issues of vital importance for the

whole of humanity. In the desire continuously to enhance

the role of the United Nations as a universal organization

of irreplaceable character, every Member State must make

its utmost contribution to the establishment of a better and

more prosperous world and to improving relations

between the peoples on this planet, in the spirit of the

Charter of the United Nations. In that spirit, my country,

the Republic of Macedonia, is prepared, with all of its

modest forces, to contribute to achieving these aims,

which are of universal interest, and to improving the

functioning and the role of this Organization. I would

like to assure the Assembly that our delegation will make

its full contribution to that end.

The President returned to the Chair.

In the Republic of Macedonia, hopes run high that

the work of the forty-ninth session of the General

Assembly will result in the adoption of the "agenda for

development - and we deem development the most

important issue facing humanity on the threshold of the

new millennium. We are convinced that the work of this

session will also have a positive effect in overcoming

acute crises and conflicts in the world. In short, we are

prepared to make our full contribution to the

strengthening of the role and the importance of the United

Nations for peace and security in the world, economic

progress and the prosperity of humanity.

The last decade of this century has shown very

acutely the problem of economic and social development

in the world. On the one hand, there are the hopes of

humanity, rightly directed towards the world of highly

developed countries as a guarantor of economic progress,

social safety, human dignity and a healthy environment.

On the other hand, underdeveloped countries are facing

the elementary issues of survival and escape from

poverty, economic despair and insecurity.

The countries in transition, including my own, are

going through a painful period of trying to find their own

place in the world of market economies and democracy

and are additionally burdened by their own devastated

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Forty-ninth session 28 September 1994

economies, social problems and threats of new, regressive

and undemocratic situations.

This controversial picture of the world shows the full

complexity of international economic and social

development and thus raises the question of a possible way

out of such a situation. I am quite certain that the majority

of the world sees the solution neither in various new

ideological concepts nor in new regional and political

divisions along such lines - and even less in ideas leading

to a division of responsibilities and rights among countries

based on false altruism and utopian blueprints.

A solution is possible only if we acknowledge the

interdependence of economic and social development. This

is a fact to which no nation today can remain indifferent,

regardless of its size and level of development. It is more

than obvious that the economic problems of the

undeveloped world constitute a serious threat to the

developed countries. Furthermore, it is more than clear that

a solution to the problem of underdevelopment cannot be

sought in the form of social assistance or gifts. On the

contrary, the very essence of global economic and social

interdependence teaches us that by helping the undeveloped

countries solve their problems developed countries are in

fact helping themselves. Thus, the inferior position of the

underdeveloped should be redressed through mutual

responsibility and by opening the prospects for economic

development and democracy under the best possible

conditions on the world market.

In that sense, the successful end of the Uruguay

Round of negotiations and the establishment of the new

World Trade Organization in early 1995 are indeed

encouraging. I am convinced that the new General

Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) will stimulate the

further liberalization of world trade and enhance the world

trade system, because the reduction and elimination of

barriers in world trade will provide a chance not only for a

realistic way out for the underdeveloped and countries in

transition, but also for the global growth of world trade and

economic cooperation as well.

It is no less important that the United Nations and its

specialized institutions aim their efforts at increasing

international financial support for development and at

tackling such acute problems as arrears and debt servicing.

These would be very concrete and positive steps towards

overcoming the problems of underdevelopment.

The comprehensive character of these problems must

be regarded with a very keen awareness of two global

aspects as well: protection of the environment and

demographic processes. Without these two aspects, a

universal programme for economic and social

development cannot be envisaged nor can any future for

humanity. Global economic interdependence strongly

emphasizes the importance of regional and world

economic integration processes. Their outlook and

advantages are unquestionable and they should be assisted

and encouraged by the United Nations. My country

views its support of such policies as increasing the

possibility of and prospects for its own development as

well as the development of other developing countries and

countries in transition.

Despite all the worthwhile efforts being made, I

regret to note that the Declaration issued at the World

Conference on Human Rights in Vienna is not being

carried out as expected. The world is still faced with

crude and massive violations of human rights. The

tragedies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rwanda are

distressing confirmations of this fact. There are many

countries where the economic, social and cultural rights

of the people are being violated. Policies of racial, ethnic

and religious discrimination are widespread. We have

been witnesses to "ethnic cleansing" and genocide. And,

what is most regrettable of all, these are all used as

reasons for waging wars, murdering innocent people on

a massive scale and destroying towns and villages.

The region of the Balkans where my country is

situated is one such unfortunate example. The war in

Bosnia and Herzegovina continues. All the efforts of the

international community, the Security Council and the

most influential countries of the world cannot convince

the Bosnian Serbs that peace is the only solution. It is

true that the forces of peace are growing. However, the

feeling of uncertainty in the region is still present, and

even spiraling. It is difficult to foresee a settlement of

the situation in the region of the former Yugoslavia that

does not include full mutual recognition of the newly

independent States and the establishment of diplomatic

relations between them.

The sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro have

seriously burdened economic conditions in the

neighbouring countries, in a region where economic ties

had already been severed and economic assistance from

the international community is urgently needed.

Insecurity in the South Balkans is also growing. The

Republic of Macedonia is being exposed to the classic

economic aggression of a unilateral economic embargo

introduced by Greece in February this year in order to

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Forty-ninth session 28 September 1994

impose its will in matters concerning Macedonian national

identity. Serious tensions have also been caused by the

most recent developments in Greek-Albanian and

Greek-Turkish relations. These are all elements of great

concern to us.

Due attention to this situation is being devoted by the

relevant responsible international factors and, within this

framework, by the Security Council. I should like to

reaffirm the positive role and contribution of the peace-

keeping forces of the United Nations deployed on a

preventive mission in Macedonia, a very successful action

undertaken in the interests of peace and deserving wider

support.

With its peaceful policy and position, the Republic of

Macedonia is a factor for stability in the region. We are

sparing no effort to demonstrate that, even in a region as

turbulent as ours, other solutions are viable; that peace is

guaranteed by human and minority rights; that cohabitation,

tolerance and mutual understanding between various ethnic

groups is possible; that relations between States become

more stable when the principles of the inviolability of

borders are respected through cooperation on an equal

footing; and that problems can be resolved successfully

only through dialogue and political means. For us, a way

out of the historical frustrations and war myths in the

Balkans is possible only through the implementation of the

principles of the new European model of open borders,

integration and cooperation.

That is why, today, the Balkan region needs the

support of the international community on a number of key

issues: an end to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the

prevention of a spillover of that war, and the establishment

of permanent foundations for peace; the strengthening of

democratic processes in all countries and in the region as a

whole, and, especially, an increase in awareness of human

rights and the rights of national minorities; support for

economic reform in these countries, in view of the fact that

most of them are now in transition, and, most important,

their incorporation into collective security mechanisms.

The worst threat for the Balkans is the emergence of

new divisions and regrouping along religious or ethnic

lines. The Balkans cannot remain as a living relic of bloc

divisions in Europe and the world, since if it does it will

become an open threat to peace and stability on the

continent and in the world. This can best be avoided

through preventive action by the international community

in this region, not only in the form of monitoring

missions but through concrete policies which get the job

done.

Allow me to conclude by expressing our hope that

the forty-ninth session of the General Assembly will serve

to strengthen the role of the United Nations, in the

interest of peace and security in the world, in the interest

of harmony in global economic and social development,

in the interest of the survival and protection of planet

Earth and in the interest of humanity.