North Macedonia, 2009

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.

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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.