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MACEDONIAN
D I P L O M AT I C B U L L E T I N
MDB No. 79
MAceDONIAN FOReIgN MINISTeR NIkOLA POpOSkI PAYS AN OFFIcIAL VISIT TO INDIA ON 16-17 DecemBeR INVITeD BY HIS INDIAN COUNTeRpART MR. SALmAN KHURSHID
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CRoaTian PResidenT JosipoVi: EUROPEAN UNION IS NEITHEr WHOLE NOr COMPLETE WITHOUT WESTErN BALKANS
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FRom MY AnGLe:
AmBassadoR LaLaKos:
AmBassadoR ILiosKi:
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DIPLOMATIC NEWS
MDB
Macedonian Diplomatic Bulletin was founded in October 2006 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia.
Filip II Makedonski 7, 1000 Skopje Republic of Macedonia www.mfa.gov.mk mdb@mfa.gov.mk Editor: Vladimir Efremovski Editorial Board: Zuko Rizvanski, Shaban Jashari, Katerina Stavreska, Olga Janevska Jovanovik, and Sejfullah Shaqiri Photo: Ljupco Blagoevski
acedonian President Gjorge Ivanov paid a working visit to the Republic of Austria on 3 an 4 December. At the meeting with his host, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, both officials agreed that the primary goal, interest and direction of the European Union should be the shared values and the policy that would integrate the entire Western Balkans into the Union.
economically. During his visit to Austria, President Ivanov also addressed the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation. On the sidelines of the CGDC Meeting, the Macedonian head of state had an informal meeting with Jos Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.
Published monthly by: Macedonian Information Centre Director: Dragan Antonov Chief Translator: Aleksandra Ilievska
he World Academy of Art and Science Macedonian presented President Gjorge Ivanov with a certificate of fellowship in recognition of his outstanding scientific and social achievements and his
dedication to the goals of global human welfare, peace and sustainable growth. He was awarded the certificate by Prof. Dr. Ivo laus, President of the World Academy of Art and Science.
The articles published in Macedonian Diplomatic Bulletin do not necessarily represent the views of the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Macedonian Information Centre. 2013
rajko Veljanoski, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, paid an official visit to the Republic of Albania on 12 December. During his visit, aside from meeting his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta, he also had separate meetings with Albanian President Bujar Nishani and Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi. Veljanoski and Meta said they were pleased with the cooperation between the
two Parliaments both at the level of speakers and at the level of groups for cooperation and committees. Mr. Meta stressed the open support for the Republic of Macedonia saying the country deserved to join NATO and open membership negotiations with the EU. If it had been up to Albania, he said, the Republic of Macedonia would have long been a member of both organizations. Speaker Veljanoski also addressed the Parliament of the Republic of Albania.
DIPLOMATIC NEWS
ungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn paid an official visit to the Republic of Macedonia on 5 December. At his meeting
he possibilities for investment in the Republic of Macedonia were presented at a business forum in London on 3 December. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Zoran Stavreski, Minister without Portfolio Vele Samak and Viktor Mizo, Director of the Directorate for Technological
and Industrial Development Zones, addressed more than 80 British businessmen on that occasion. Presentations of Macedonias investment climate were also held by representatives of Johnson Matthey and Kemet Electronics Corporation, which have already invested in the Republic of Macedonia.
The forum was organized in cooperation with the renowned Financial Times Group. One day prior to the business forum in London, Prime Minister Gruevski had a meeting with Suma Chakrabarti, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and visited the Royal London Hospital.
DIPLOMATIC NEWS
he Macedonian Government in cooperation with the Financial Times organized a business forum in Paris on 5 December, at which the possibilities for investment in the Republic of Macedonia were presented before a great many
representatives of targeted companies of diverse profiles. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who attended the forum, talked about the political and economic situation in the country, the process of EU and NATO integration, the advantages
of the free economic zones and other incentives of interest to potential French investors. During his visit, he also met representatives of the Macedonian community in France.
rime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the government economic team presented in Berlin on 11 December the possibilities for
investment in the Republic of Macedonia at a conference organized by the East and Central Europe Association, whose member companies invest in 29 countries. Germany is Macedonias most important trade partner and also a significant investor, Prime Minister Gruevski stressed, citing Kromberg & Schubert and Drxlmaier, which have recently started doing business in Macedonia, as examples. Aside from their participation in the conference, Prime Minister Gruevski and the government economic team met representatives of several renowned German companies and investors from the fields of banking, consulting services, automotive industry and civil engineering. Prime Minister Gruevski also had a fringe meeting with Ulrich Grillo, President of the Federation of German Industries, whose members are the largest German companies, the driving force of the German economy.
DIPLOMATIC NEWS
Brussels on 4 December, at which he reiterated the readiness of the Republic of Macedonia, within its powers and capabilities, to take active part in building a stable and safe future for Afghanistan. The Republic of Macedonia is one of the largest contributors per capita to
Afghanistans security within the ISAF Mission despite not being a NATO member state, he said. Minister Poposki also held a number of fringe bilateral meetings, including with Afghan Foreign Minister Zarar Ahmad Osmani.
acedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki paid an official visit to India on 16-17 December invited by his Indian counterpart Mr. Salman Khurshid. At their meeting in New Delhi, they shared opinions on matters of shared interest, agreed that the bilateral cooperation was good and pledged mutual support at multilateral forums. As part of the efforts to promote economic cooperation and foster investments, the two ministers signed the Agreement
acedonian Foreign Minister Poposki took part in the highlevel Conference on the Western Balkan organized by the Friends of Europe think tank and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Brussels on 3 December. The Conference was also attended by Enlargement Commissioner tefan Fle, the ministers of foreign affairs of the Slovak Republic, Albania and Montenegro,
and distinguished figures from the business community. Within the framework of the second panel centering on Getting Economic Recovery Back on Course, Minister Poposki presented the positive trends and priorities of the Macedonian Government in the field of economy. He stressed on that occasion that opening membership negotiations between the Republic of
Macedonia and the European Union was going to have a strong positive effect on the countrys economic growth. He also had a fringe meeting with Elmar Brok, Chairman of AFET (the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs), at which the process of enlargement and the Eastern Partnership were tabled.
DIPLOMATIC NEWS
that Macedonia proved committed to as part of international peacekeeping missions as well. In regard to the economic situation of the past five years in the course of which the country and the world were troubled by a grave financial crisis, he said that despite the slow economic growth the country managed to open up great economic opportunities, to draw foreign investments and to ensure the presence of Macedonian manufacturers in foreign markets.
n the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki addressed the representatives of the diplomatic corps at the Macedonian National Theater on 13 December, focusing
characterize the Republic of Macedonia as a constructive partner in the region. A reception and the performance of the play The Eternal House by Jordan Plevne were also part of the event.
OSCE/Sergey Gladkevich
oreign Minister Nikola Poposki participated in the 20th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Kiev on 5-6 December, attended by some 40 ministers from 57 member states. In his address to the participants, Minister Poposki raised the more important issues treated by the OSCE, including the importance of the Helsinki Final Act and the values arising from it and the multidimensional threats and the necessity of strengthening capacities for dealing with them efficiently, stressing
DIPLOMATIC NEWS
he regular annual meeting of the heads of the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Macedonia abroad was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26-27 December. At the meeting with Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, an overview was made of the most important events of the yearthe enactment of the new law on foreign affairs, the membership of the UN Human Rights Council, the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with 22 countries and the fifth recommendations for opening EU membership negotiations from the European Commission.
The heads of the diplomatic missions and consular posts also had separate meetings with President Gjorge Ivanov, Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and a number of government ministers from the departments of economy and health. The importance of the economic diplomacy as a segment that is equally significant as the political diplomacy was emphasized at the meetings. In the same context, a session focusing on the economic diplomacy and particularly the countrys investment, export and tourism promotion was also held.
important political interest. It is also recognition for the Republic of Macedonia as an important part of Europe and is awarded with the aim of accelerating the countrys European integration.
MACEDONIA IN FOCUS
FrOM MY ANgLE
DR. ELIZABeTA KANeSkA-MILeVSkA, MINISTER OF CULTURE
It is of great significance that after many years spent in makeshift facilities, as of today Macedonian theater actors are going to live and create by the highest world standards and reach for even higher goals. In Skopje and Macedonia, theater will be created and seen in the same technical and technological conditions as in New York, London, Paris or Moscow. All that is regarded as the state of the art in stage technology and audiovisual equipment has been incorporated in this theater and its most sophisticated technical performances. The new theater is also a museum because its ornaments depict our rich cultural heritage, with authentic motives dating back to the late antiquity, the medieval and the post-medieval artistic heritage from the realms of mosaic production, fresco and icon painting, decorative plastic and wood carving. The ornaments on the boxes and throughout the building portray various themes details from our most beautiful woodcarving in the Church of St Spas (Holy Savior), the mosaics of Heraclea, the terracotta icons of Vinica, masks, reliefs, maenads, muses, etc. On the ceiling of the theaters main hall, Macedonian artists showcased our rich cultural legacy while the lobby, as in fact the entire interior, abounds in sculptures invoking the atmosphere of drama, comedy and tragedy, symbolizing the idea of theater and art in general. One particularly important segment in the operations of the new theater is the first theater museum collection created and presented in Macedonia, conceived by the highest museum standards. With great support from our citizens who donated many objects and exhibits, we have created a rare collection of posters,
MACEDONIA IN FOCUS
photographs, set decoration and costume design drafts, scores, personal items and documents, and other valuable paraphernalia that will undoubtedly promote the 70-year history of the Macedonian national theater. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all citizens for their help and support in the making of this collection, which makes a notable contribution to the preservation of our collective memory. The Republic of Macedonia deserves to have such a theater. We thank all those who helped us reach our goalthe architects, all the firms that participated in the construction of the building in various segments, all their subcontractors and all the workers who invested a lot of effort in the creation of the new theater, all the professors that participated in the selection of the valuable cultural heritage depicted trough the gold-plated ornaments, the supervision board, all the commissions of designers and reviewers, all the painters and sculptors and all the artists that made the gold-plated ornaments of the building. We also wish to express gratitude to the authors of the museum exhibition, the employees of the Ministry of Culture and all ministers in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. I am personally thankful to Finance
Minister Zoran Stavreski who supported us financially in every stage of the process. Finally, let me express my gratitude to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski without whose dedication, energy and vision none of this would have been possible. Vojdan Pop Georgiev ernodrinski argued over a century ago that theater should be a weapon. Today, after so much time has passed, we have proven that theater can truly be a weapon that triumphs over every evil thought, every doubt and every intrigue. We are going to forget all that and with a positive thought and energy are going to continue creating in the best interest of our country and citizens. membership negotiations. I have great understanding for the Macedonian people who watch with concern how the other countries of the Western Balkans are being set dates for opening accession talks one by one, as their own country is kept out of the process despite the reforms conducted in recent years," said Peter Weiss, representative of the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) to the Bundestag, of which he has been a member since 1998. "I still hope that under the Greek Presidency of the EU, we are going to succeed in showing Greece that its conduct is not at all European and that it is in its own interest to help its neighbor improve its situation," said Doris Pack, German MEP from the Group of the European People's Party.
IN THE PRESS
"We are proud to call Macedonia our friend and ally and we want to see this wonderful country live up to its potential as a strong, dynamic and prosperous democracy fully integrated with the EuroAtlantic community Just as in the past and the present, we are going to stay together in the future as well," said Paul Wohlers, US Ambassador to Macedonia. "If it were up to Albania, Macedonia would have joined NATO by now; I can't say the EU, too, since we are not part of the Union. Macedonia enjoys all the support from Albania, including respect for its
sovereignty as an independent and democratic country," said A lbanian Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta. "It is true that enlargement is not on the agenda of Greece as a chair of the Union. Yet if I were you, I would not give up the effort and endeavor to seek out a solution to the name issue as soon as possible. In my opinion, the right thing to do would be if Greece as chair of the Union, ten years after the Summit in Thessaloniki and the largest enlargement in Europe's history, reached a compromise with Macedonia. That would be a positive sign for the whole enlargement and for the feeling and relations of the citizens of the country. Yet everything depends on the political leaders," MEP Tanja Fajon told Deutsche Welle. "I really regret that due to Greece's objection, Macedonia can still not be set a date for opening
he Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Macedonia are developing excellent friendly relations, with no open issues, through open and intensive high-level dialogue. In fact, this was confirmed with your recent visit to the Republic of Macedonia. Your Excellency, how do you assess the opportunities for further enhancement of bilateral relations? My recent visit to the Republic of Macedonia has indeed reconfirmed the excellent, friendly and very open relations between our countries as well as between our people. We know and understand each other, we share a common history, our people-to-people links are very strong and all of this represents a solid foundation for further enhancement of our bilateral relations. There are many opportunities before us. During my visit we put special emphasis on the economic ones and I am certain we will seize them for the benefit of both our countries. Furthermore, I am strongly convinced that our common future within the European Union framework will serve as a further impetus for us to work together and cooperate even more closely. With its full-fledged membership of the European Union, your country opened a new chapter in its history and with this it undertook the obligation to help the countries in the region realize their
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n 29 November 2013, the Embassy of Romania in Macedonia in cooperation with local partners hosted a reception at the Aleksandar Palace Hotel in Skopje to mark 1 December, Romanias National Day. The event was attended by numerous guests including Macedonian
government officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps and the academic circles, businessmen, church officials, as well as representatives of the Romanian community in Macedonia. H.E. Mr. Iustinian Focsa, Romanian Ambassador to Macedonia, delivered a short address focusing on the political significance of 1 December 1918 in the history of the Romanian people and the democratic transformation of Romania after the fall of communism in 1989. He also emphasized the general profile of his country on the international stage as full member of the EU and NATO, highlighting in that regard Romanias
support for the Republic of Macedonia in attaining its strategic objectives of integration into the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union.
BiToLa SmaLL DRama TheaTeR AwaRDED IN ROmaNIa Lois RoTh TRansLaTion AwaRd PRESENTED TO ChRISTINa E. KRamER
t the Davila International Theater Festival in the Romanian city of Piteti, the Small Drama Theater of Bitola performed Beans by Elin Rahnev directed by Ljupo Gjorgievski and competing against 17 productions of theater companies and groups from Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo and Romania
won the top-three awardsthe Grand Prix for best production, the special award for supreme actors achievement for Joana Popovska and the award for best actor for Anastas Popdimitrov. Beans is a coproduction of the Bitola Small Drama Theater and the Dramatic Puppet Theater of Vratsa, Bulgaria.
hristina E. Kramer, professor at the Department for Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Toronto, Canada, collected the special Lois Roth Award for her translation of Goce Smilevskis novel Freuds Sister. The Lois Roth Award of the Modern Language
Association of America headquartered in New York is presented once in two years for works of literature translated into English. The English translation of Freuds Sister was published by Penguin of New York in 2012.
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H.E. Mr. Theoharis Lalakos, Head of the Greek Liaison Office in the Republic of Macedonia
our Excellency, your country, the Hellenic Republic, is to preside over the Council of the European Union as of 1 January 2014 in conditions of economic and financial crisis in your country as well as in the Euro-zone countries. What will the Presidencys main priorities be and is the Hellenic Republic prepared, despite the consequences of the economic crisis, to undertake and affirm the Pan-European role, as in 2003, thus confirming and reinforcing its international political position? Our intention as Presidency is to respond, as best we can, to the pressing needs and problems currently faced in the EU: the debt crisis and the associated recession and unemployment, as well as the problems with the social cohesion, which has suffered enormously, in particular in the countries where the effects of the crisis have been more pronounced. The idea is that in these areas we need more European integration, not less. Moreover, we need new jobs and sustainable growth, and we must ensure that our policies are aligned with popular demands. Furthermore, the precarious situation in the immediate vicinity of the EU external borders, in conjunction with developments that are
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EXPERIENCE MACEDONIA
he 26-km long Koani Basin, stretching on an area of 1,020 sq. km in the eastern part of Macedonia along the Bregalnica River, is considered the largest hightemperature thermal water basin in the Balkan Peninsula. In its central flat part of 115 sq. km is the Field of Koani. The Field of Koani with its relief, fertile soil and auspicious water network combined with the favorable climate is very suitable for growing grain crops, rice in particular. The Field of Koani in which top-quality rice, the most important grain crop in the region, has been grown for centuries is also known for its unique breath-taking landscape that has been the landmark of the region. The rice is about 5,000 years old and is considered to have originated from India and China from where it spread to Syria and eastern Africa. Although Alexander the Great brought it to Europe in the 4th century BC, massive cultivation of rice in Europe began in the 8th century. In the mythology of the Far East (China, Japan), rice holds a special place. It is regarded as a gift from the Gods and in some lands the ruler was considered the God of the ripening of rice. In its long history, rice has fed many people, more than any other grain crop. Today it is grown the world over but mostly in the warm regions of Asia, Africa and Central and South America. Aside from wheat, Photo: rice is the Atanasovski most valuable cereal in the Robert world and a produce that is used in almost every corner of the planet. In comparison to
MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN No. 79 2013
other cereals, it has the highest nutritional value. Legend has it that growing rice in this region began six centuries ago, before the Ottomans came. A wealthy local tradesman named Koo went all the way to China selling and buying goods. He saw how the people there grew rice, tasted it, liked it very much and tried to bring it back home. However, taking unhusked rice across the border was strictly forbidden. Koo pondered for a while what do and finally came up with a solution: he bought a flock of geese, tied their throats so they could not swallow and right before they reached the border, he feed them with rice. On crossing the border, he killed the birds, collected the
rice and brought it to Koani where rice production began. It is also believed that his home town was named Koani in his honor. Bearing in mind how valuable it is for the Macedonian economy, the Macedonian rice is also called the white gold of Koani. Rice is grown on about 4,000 hectares and the yield is about 6,000 kg per hectare. Dominants varieties are Monticelli, San Andrea, Montesa, Koani Pearl, etc. A confirmation of the top quality of the Macedonian rice is the Grand Prix Award at the annual Eureka 2000 in Brussels. Since 1992 Koani has organized the Koani Rice Days event for the purpose of promoting rice as the symbol of the city.
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EXPERIENCE MACEDONIA
book on the cultural heritage of the Balkans by Dr. Fabio Cotifava, a Macedonia fan and one of the founders and an honorary president of Balkania, the Balkan Association of Alternative Tourism, was promoted at the Faculty of Tourism and Management in Skopje on 17 December. Through photographs and text, the book presents places protected by UNESCO in
11 Balkan countriesBulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Kosovo, Greece and Romaniathanks to which the Balkans holds a special place on the global tourist map.
hree Macedonian films were shown at the fifth edition of the European Film Festival in the French winter ski resort of Arque on 14-21 December within the framework of the special selection of films from the Balkan countries. The feature films I am From Titov Veles by Teona Strugar Mitevska and Punks Not
Dead by Vladimir Blaevski were screened within the unofficial selection, while Alerik by Vuk Mitevski was shown within the special selection of short films. Alerik was also included in the special DVD compilation of the specialized French short-film magazine Bref dedicated to the countries of former Yugoslavia. named Half a Century of Memories Forever and held in honor of the 50th anniversary of the earthquake, was attended by numerous guests, including distinguished artists and representatives of the diplomatic corps in Bulgaria.
SKopje EaRThQuaKe ExhiBiTion STagED IN SOFIa PianisT NiKoLa PasKaLoV PeRfoRms aT CaRNEgIE HaLL
n exhibition of 22 legendary photographs by Tomislav Peternek taken in Skopje immediately after the earthquake of 26 July 1963 opened at the Cultural and Information Center of the Republic of Macedonia in Sofia on 12 December. The opening of the exhibition,
acedonian pianist Nikola Paskalov staged a concert at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York on 14 December playing works by Chopin, Glasl and Scriabin. Paskalov graduated in 1995 in the class of Professor Romanov and went on to complete his education at the European Mozart Academy in Krakow, Poland. Currently he teaches piano at the Ilija Nikolovski-Luj Secondary School of Music in Skopje.
imon Trpeski, the Macedonian pianist with international career, has once again confirmed his reputation as a favorite of the London audience performing with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre. Conductor was Michael Tilson Thomas from the USA, who is also a renowned pianist and composer, winner of 11 GRAMMY Awards, recipient of the National Medal of Arts presented by President Obama, music director of the San Francisco Symphony and artistic director of the New World Symphony Orchestra.
No. 79 2013 MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN
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MY DIARY
epresenting the Republic of Macedonia in the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Finland, both of which are highly developed democracies where mutual respect and cooperation is fundamental for successful regional representation on the international stage and countries that are leaders in research, new technology and eco solutions as top priority for economic growth, was a big challenge but also a privilege at the beginning of my term, during which I initiated and carried out numerous activities and projects aimed at intensifying the bilateral cooperation, thanks to which over the past three years the Republic of Macedonia managed to become an important partner to these two friendly countries in the fields of foreign cooperation, economic relations, education, technology, culture and art. The Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Finland were and remained staunch supporters of the process of European
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ire Ilioski, Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of Finland, has been decorated with the Finnish Marshal Mannerheim Commemorative Medal in recognition of his contribution to the excellent relations between the two countries.
MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN No. 79 2013
He was presented with the Medal at a ceremony at the House of Nobility in Helsinki by the Chairman of the Marshal Mannerheim Commemorative Medal Committee, Emei Kanninen. Ambassador Ilioski is the first non-resident ambassador having been presented with a medal of the Republic of Finland.