Address

Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before I address the main issue of today's meeting, which represents an excellent opportunity to consider the lessons and experiences we have learned and gained in the respect of resolution of the Kosovo crisis, allow me to welcome and congratulate the accession of Ireland to the Partnership for Peace program.

The KFOR deployment and the establishment of the civil administration, i.e. UNMIK marked the beginning of the peace implementation process in Kosovo, in accordance with the UNSC Resolution No. 1244, with the aim of putting an end to the conflict which represented a serious threat to the peace and stability to my country as well, having the tendency to grow into a regional and wider European conflict.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The still existing historical controversies (ideological, ethnical, religious and alike) may sometimes slacken the objectively necessary and commonly desired development. if the countries in the region do not manage to overcome these objectively limiting situations, and in doing so are not assisted by Europe, the Alliance and the international community, further tensions in this area are possible, combined with social, economic, development reasons and even ethnic motives.

The overall geo-political situation in the region, following the crisis in the FR Yugoslavia, has not been substantially changed. The only quality, which is a realistic result of the crisis in Kosovo and the FR Yugoslavia, is the fact that the EU, NATO, and all of us have finally understood the significance of this region for the overall European and Euroatlantic processes and interests. This is best manifested through the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and through the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, the implementation of which will enable the region to transform into an area of democracy, economic development, security and cooperation. There is no stable Europe, without a stable and developed Balkans, that is to say Southeastern Europe.

The consistent position of my country presented much before the crisis was and remain respect and full implementation of the Resolution 1244, a peaceful and political solution to the Kosovo crisis through substantial autonomy in the framework of the FR Yugoslavia, respect of human and civil rights of all living in Kosovo, respect for the inviolability of the existing borders, cessation of all hostilities and repression, deployment of peace forces, safe and free return of refugees, democratization and building civil structures, demilitarization of the KLA and, of course, economic reconstruction of Kosovo and the region.

In the difficult period thus far, the Republic of Macedonia has been faced with a series of challenges, the continuos threat to the territorial integrity in the additionally complicated economic and social situation and limitations.

There were about 16 000 and in certain period even 20 000 NATO soldiers stationed in my country. The enormous influx of refugees about 360 000 was our permanent concern. The damages the Macedonian economy have suffered amounts to 660 million US dollars.

We highly appreciate to all those countries and international organizations who have helped us in this extremely difficult period by giving their full support. But we still expect the given promises to be fulfilled.

Despite all these outstanding challenges we have confronted, my country has managed to carry out and advance the set strategic commitments of its foreign policy: process of integration in the EU, rapprochement and inclusion into the Euro-Atlantic security structures, development of good-neighborliness and regional cooperation.

However, the Republic of Macedonia, as one of the front-line states during the Kosovo crisis, has again proved that it has a key rote for the stability in the region. We have demonstrated solidarity with the efforts of the international community and especially of the Alliance aimed at finding a lasting solution for the peace and stability in this part of Europe.

Thus, the Republic of Macedonia having in mind its unique position has been given the rare opportunity to gain very useful practical experiences, from the cooperation, i.e., coordination and communication with the civil and military NATO structures. With the stationing and deployment of the NATO peace forces in Kosovo, my country as a front-line partner of the Alliance, afforded its infrastructure, administrative and economic potentials, as well. The joint effort was actively coordinated with the Alliance, the UNHCR and the humanitarian non-governmental organizations in dealing with the refugee crisis. We have had a significant cooperation in many other fields such as air space management, border control, prevention of spreading illegal transfer of arms.

The experience we are gaining through the cooperation with NATO and its member-countries, as well as the Partners, particularly as a host country of the logistic base for the NATO peace forces in Kosovo, facilitating the largest part of the transit activities for the Kosovo peace operation and with the other activities and efforts we contribute to the continuous and substantial progress in our relations with NATO, which have thus gained a new quality.

Having in mind the strategic objective and the firm determination for integration in NATO, my country has recently prepared and presented the "Annual National Program for Preparation of the Republic of Macedonia for NATO membership". The realization of the Annual National Program will facilitate the utilization of the possibilities and assistance offered in the Membership Action Plan adopted at the Washington Summit.

In this context, the Republic of Macedonia is prepared to present and exchange mutual experiences through the EAPC and PfP consultative and cooperative mechanisms, using these mechanisms at the same time for the development and strengthening of the regional cooperation in South-eastern Europe, which is one of the priorities of its foreign policy. The Republic of Macedonia has supported the establishment and actively participates in the EAPC Consultative Forum on Security Issues on Southeast Europe and in the Ad-Hoc Working Group on Prospects for Regional Cooperation in Southeastern Europe. In this regard, we welcome and support the undertaken and scheduled EAPC/PfP activities within the frame of the NATO South-East Europe Initiative, launched in Washington.

In this regard, the Republic of Macedonia has initiated the organization of several EAPC seminars, planed to be held in Macedonia in 2000 focusing on the issue of regional cooperation in the field of small arms, border control and airspace management, etc. Furthermore, the Republic of Macedonia as a participant in the Multinational Peace Forces of South-Eastern Europe, together with the countries of the region, undertakes significant activities for further strengthening and development of the Forces in order to enable them to participate in future peace operations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The conflicts and crises in the last ten years in the region of South-Eastern Europe have demonstrated that if we wish to jointly face the challenge of establishing lasting stability and security in the region and thus in the whole of Europe, this region must not be neglected and isolated from the European integration process and from the Euro-Atlantic enlargement process. In this context, the Stability Pact, the NATO South East Europe Initiative and the Alliance's Membership Action Plan have marked the first mayor step towards the realization of the vision for stable and prosperous region of South-eastern Europe, fully integrated in the European and Euro-Atlantic area. The Republic of Macedonia, with its commitments, activities and concrete initiatives I have mentioned earlier, is prepared to give its constructive contribution to the realization of this vision, which shall be the Alliance's challenge for the new Millennium.

The most serious guarantee for the security of the region, and transforming it into an area of democracy, prosperity development, stability and cooperation, is that the countries from the region join the European Union and NATO and to become full-fledged members.

Finally, allow me to stress that the Republic of Macedonia fully supports the documents proposed at today's meeting: Chairman's Report on the implementation of the EAPC Action Plan in 1999, the EAPC Action Plan for 2000-2002, the Comprehensive Report on the Implementation of the Enhanced and more Operational Partnership; the Report on Operational Capabilities Concept for NATO-led PfP operations; the Report on PfP Training and Education Enhancement Program, and the NATO Consolidated Progress Report on Development of the South-East Europe Initiative. We are ready and firmly committed to giving an active and substantial contribution to their implementation.

Thank you.

Footnote:

(*) Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.