Address of President Pendarovski at the traditional annual reception for diplomatic corps representatives
President Stevo Pendarovski addressed the traditional annual reception he hosted yesterday evening in Skopje for the representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of North Macedonia.
In the capacity of Dean of the diplomatic corps, the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, Fatos Reka, addressed the reception.
Please find below the integral text of the address of President Pendarovski.
Distinguished Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Esteemed Ambassador Reka, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Skopje,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the traditional annual reception for the members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Skopje.
The festive period is behind, but, at the beginning of the new year 2023, let me wish you all good health and personal happiness, and your countries much success and progress in every field.
We meet in this format for the second time. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, in the past 2 years, we did not have such a chance to mark the beginning of the year. Notwithstanding, we worked actively and established a dynamic cooperation with every one of you that resulted in a large number of joint activities, both here and in the countries you come from.
I am satisfied that in the past period I had the opportunity to pay important visits to several European countries, to have numerous meetings with my colleagues on the sidelines of various international events, but also to host the presidents of several countries, including the Federal Republic of Germany, the Italian Republic, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Montenegro, Latvia, Georgia.
This year marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with around twenty European countries, as well as 30 years since our membership in the UN. In the year in which the Republic of North Macedonia is the Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, these anniversaries are an opportunity to mark our joint activities and use the momentum to strengthen our friendly ties.
In the coming period, I will host at least three presidents from the region and Europe, and for this year, several bilateral and multilateral visits have already been arranged. My intention is the foreign policy of North Macedonia to be led transparently and in the interest of the common values that we share with the peaceful and democratic countries.
Your Excellencies,
I would not avail myself of today’s opportunity for a long political speech and for repeating my views on key domestic and international issues, which are well known to you. However, bearing in mind the complex international situation, the challenges we face at home and in the region, let me take this occasion to mention a few things.
First, my expectation for the coming year is an even more intense strengthening of European solidarity and partnership, as well as further intensification of transatlantic ties. That is the stake, but also the guarantee that will ensure peace, prosperity and additional strengthening of democracy in our country and in Europe.
We belong to a generation of politicians who are faced with the not-so-easy task of defining the contours of the European order in which our citizens will live, when the war and sufferings in Ukraine are over. Our response today to the tragic events in Ukraine speaks to how we imagine Europe and the world as soon as the war is done.
Peace and liberation of Ukraine is a priority that has no alternative. With our OSCE Chairmanship this year, we will try to make a contribution in that sense, together with all other stakeholders.
Hence, it is vital whether we will allow history to repeat itself in such a way that anachronistic political regimes govern our lives and decide our future. Democracy must prevail; the biggest responsibility for that lies with those countries that opened the doors of democracy to our societies when the Berlin Wall was torn down more than 30 years ago.
Therefore, this is the time when declarative commitments must be replaced by bold decisions, be it about military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, enlargement of the European Union, or security and economic progress of the entire European area.
Second, as before, within the framework of my competences, I will strive for North Macedonia to continue on the path of European integration, dialogue and cooperation with all its neighbors.
However, I must emphasize that for my country, the past period was filled with great challenges and unprincipled attacks on the identity parameters, which probably, on verbal level, only Ukraine has faced in the recent history of Europe.
Even in such conditions, we have demonstrated maturity and vision, making decisions for which we knew we would be criticized by part of the public, which could reduce our popularity and which, by some, could even be interpreted as our permissiveness and weakness. Without false modesty, until now we are the only ones in the region who have shown the capacity for compromise on difficult issues and that when we say that we believe in the values of democracy, it is not just rhetoric or weakness for us. With those compromises, we became a member of NATO and opened the first phase of negotiations with the EU.
After 3 years of membership in the Alliance, I believe no one doubts any longer that even a small country like North Macedonia can be a significant partner and contribute to peace in regional and European frameworks.
At the same time, this year we expect to finish the screening phase of the negotiation process with the Union and move towards opening the clusters. The constitutional amendments should soon be on the domestic agenda and, in this context, we need an atmosphere in which all pro-European forces can unite and deliver those changes. That process will not be easy, and any further provocation or attack on our identity will only complicate it further. In other words, a stable environment and predictability are needed on the European road.
Moreover, we must not forget that European integration for us does not only mean good neighborly relations, but also economic progress, serious reforms and a real, not rhetorical, fight against high corruption.
Third, the region we live in is particularly affected by the developments in Ukraine, whether it is the economic or social consequences or exposure to hybrid threats and fake news campaigns. Last year, the opening of negotiations of North Macedonia and Albania, the candidate status of Bosna and Herzegovina, the decision to cancel visas for Kosovo and the series of economic measures to support national economies partially restored the credibility of the European Union in the region. Such policies will have a stabilizing effect in the long term only if they are based on a long-term strategy for the full integration of the region into the Union, and not if they are a response to the war in Ukraine. A prosperous region focused on cooperation, not on confrontations, is possible only if the European Union is our common denominator.
Your Excellency,
Until the end of my term, my Cabinet and I remain fully open to cooperation with all of you in order to deepen our relations on all issues of mutual interest, guided by the same principles of equality and shared values, as before.
In conclusion, allow me, once again, to wish well-being and progress to your countries and organizations, and, to you personally, much happiness, health and success.
For a successful year!
Thank you.
