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134

WRITTEN SUBMISSION

BY THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

138

138 Page 139 140 135

“WHY THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA SHOULD BECOME A MEMBER OF NATO”

MAY 1997

Respected Members of the Helsinki Commission We would like to present a statement on “Why the Republic of Macedonia should become a member of NATO”:

The Republic of Macedonia has clearly stated its wish and reasons for early inclusion in the NATO enlargement. As early as in the beginning of 1993, the Parliament of the Republic of Mace- donia decided to seek membership in the Alliance. This decision was a result of our strategic orienta- tion towards an active participation in the building of a wider security architecture of the Euro-Atlantic region. There is a definite wide political and social consensus in the country for a such an orientation. The Republic of Macedonia sees NATO as one of the key points of the contemporary European security architecture. In this regard, the Republic of Macedonia considers that the actual NATO efforts to strengthen the cooperation for stability in the Euro-Atlantic region through a process of evolution, are coming at the right moment, when the necessity for urgent resolution of a number of conflicts and the elimination of potential ones in the transition countries are necessary.

That is the reason why the Republic of Macedonia considers its membership in the Alliance and the expansion of NATO in Southeastern Europe as a condition for a higher level of political relations, contribution towards world stability, and stronger possibilities for the establishment of democratic institutions. As a priority in the enlargement itself, the Republic of Macedonia considers the strength- ening of the southern wing of NATO, namely the region of the southern Balkans, in which the Repub- lic of Macedonia is a key country for the maintenance of stability and peace.

Having in mind these facts, it is our firm belief that the Republic of Macedonia should be in- cluded in the first round of NATO enlargement. Such a position is based on the following aspects:

1. The Republic of Macedonia geographically belongs to the Southern Balkans, which histori- cally represents a potential source of instability with wider consequences. At the same time, if this region is placed in a opposite role and becomes a source of stability, it would solve many of the current misunderstandings which have been a constant cause for serious conflicts. This would be a real chal- lenge in the process of NATO enlargement. To achieve this, it has to be emphasized that, the Republic of Macedonia is a country at the crossroads of the Balkans, has a key role in the process of balancing the peace, which, in turn, determines the stability in the wider region. At the same time it has to be taken into consideration that the Republic of Macedonia supports the NATO membership of other countries in the region, especially the immediate neighbors, within the framework of regional stability and acknowledges the common interest for membership in the Alliance .

2. The Republic of Macedonia is strongly committed to the accomplishment of the tasks consid- ered as conditions for the inclusion in the Alliance. Today, the Republic of Macedonia is a member of Partnership for Peace program and the North Atlantic Council for Cooperation—NACC. Since the entry into PfP (15 November 1995) the Republic of Macedonia has fulfilled the foreseen procedure to take part in the cooperation in a relatively short time. We would especially like to point out that: 139

139 Page 140 141 136 In June 1996—the Republic of Macedonia participated in a joint exercise in Albania (Baize) called “Peacemaker Eagle 1996” with seven NATO member countries.

  • In October 1996—the Republic of Macedonia hosted and participated in the first part of the multinational headquarters exercise “Rescuer 1996” together with nine members of NATO and Part- nership for Peace.
  • In May 1997—the Republic of Macedonia hosted and participated in the practical part of the exercise “Rescuer—97”, together with military units from nine NATO countries, members and part- ners.
  • Last year, NATO and the Republic of Macedonia mutually accepted our Individual Program for Partnership—IPP for 1996-1998. After one year’s successful accomplishments in accordance with the implemented procedure, the Republic of Macedonia submitted its analysis for the realization of the Individual Program for 1996.

    At the same time, the Republic of Macedonia prepared a new, larger IPP for 1997-1998, which, at this moment, is in the process of approval. Until now, the Republic of Macedonia has realized three Individual Intensified Political Dialogues with NATO where we presented our documents for discus- sion. These were very positively evaluated from the NATO officials. The Republic of Macedonia is now in a procedure to join the Process of Planning and Analysis—PARP—for the period 1997-1999. In December 1996, the Republic of Macedonia presented its “Review for the overall inter-operativity for 1997” to the competent offices of NATO, also very positively evaluated. The Republic of Mace- donia, in the framework of the cooperation with its partners and with NATO, has signed a number of appropriate agreements and arrangements. Among them, and of special importance, are the Agreement between the NATO- members and other states participating in PfP, in connection with the Status of their forces-SOFA and the additional Protocol of the Agreement, the Agreement for security arrange- ments between the Republic of Macedonia and NATO and the Agreement for the transit of the forces of IFOR and SFOR. The Republic of Macedonia has also accepted “The regulations for behavior of NATO”.

    In accordance with its commitment for establishment of a small but well equipped and efficient army, the Republic of Macedonia has carried out a complete reorganization of its armed forces accord- ing to the standards of NATO. The Republic of Macedonia is also a regular participant at the common exercises of the partners.

    The Republic of Macedonia has adjusted its capacity for the participation in the operations, train- ing, and exercises in the framework of PfP and has created an army based on new models, without the influence of the old ones. (It has to be taken in account that in the process of withdrawal of the Yugoslav Army from the Republic of Macedonia all military equipment, weapons, and other material were taken away, leaving the Republic of Macedonia practically unarmed). The current legislature in the Republic of Macedonia (the Constitution and the Law for Defense) is an important contribution to the civil and democratic control of the army and transparent decision making.

    3. The determined goals and principles for the NATO enlargement contained in “The Study for the Enlargement of NATO” are completely acceptable to the Republic of Macedonia, and to a large extent are already implemented in its domestic and foreign policy. We see the acceptance of the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as a basis for real development of such a historical 140

    140 Page 141 142 137 process as the enlargement of the Alliance is. The Republic of Macedonia is ready to accept the obli- gations based on the Washington Agreement on the unification of the efforts in the collective defense for the preservance of peace and security, with a strong determination in resolving international con- flicts through dialogue and peaceful means.

    We would also like to stress the following:

    The Republic of Macedonia achieved its independence through a policy of peaceful self-determi- nation and with its behavior in the international relations proved that it is a staunch advocate of peace- ful settlement of disputes and a very important factor of peace and stability in the region and wider. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia is firmly committed to the fulfillment of the undertaken economic and financial reforms, which are already showing the wanted results. After sev- eral years of suffering from the LTN sanctions against FR of Yugoslavia and the unilateral blockade from Greece, we now face a constant growth of output and growth of exports, which in fact is the main orientation of our economy. In close coordination and cooperation with the World Bank, the IMF and other international financial institutions the Government is leading the country towards the goal of becoming a developed country, and a full-fledged member of all significant international associations.

    The Republic of Macedonia has invested considerable efforts in the development of good rela- tions with its neighbors, where all open questions are solved through dialogue and maximum possible cooperation, without interference in the internal affairs of the countries. The examples of such a policy are “The Interim Agreement” with Greece, and “The agreement about the regulation and development of cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and FR of Yugoslavia”. Both these, and a number of other agreements regulating specific relations with other Balkan countries, are the result of the normalization of relations and the development of full cooperation with the countries of the region. This does not mean development only on the bilateral plan, but it also has wider positive reflections on the Balkans and wider.

    We see the good neighborly relations as a way of increasing the stability and security of all countries, which constitute a very important principle of our foreign policy. The Republic of Mace- donia is active towards the achievement of a long- lasting stability of the region. Skopje will soon be the host of the international “Forum for Europeanization of the Balkans and the Development of Good Neighborly Relations”.

    This Forum is a result of the resolutions for “Good-neighborly Relations Among Balkan Coun- tries”, proposed by the Republic of Macedonia and adopted at the 48th and 50th session of General Assembly of the United Nations. The goal is a stable Balkans as a region of cooperation and peace by the year 2000.

    The 51st General Assembly of the United Nations, also at the proposal of the Republic of Mace- donia, adopted the resolution for the “Maintenance of International Security—Prevention of Violent Disintegration of States”. The presence of UNPREDEP in the Republic of Macedonia, the mission which was established at our initiative and in which 500 American soldiers are participating, with its preventive deployment, is a success story itself. The Mission is a unique example as a test and the development of the practice of preventive diplomacy. The success and experiences of this Mission were the basis for the organization of the international seminar “Agenda for Preventive Diplomacy— Theory and Practice” in 1996, a joint effort by the Mission of UNPREDEP and The Republic of Mace- 141

    141 Page 142 143 138 donia. Along with its contribution in the area for prevention of conflicts, this seminar resulted in the proposal for the establishment of a “Center for Preventive Diplomacy” in Skopje. In relation with this, the proposal of The Republic of Macedonia for holding a “Seminar for Conflict Prevention”, was adopted and has become a part of the activity agenda of the Working Plan of the NACC for the year 1997. The seminar will be held in October 1997 in the Republic of Macedonia. We are certain that this seminar will have a large impact on the development and improvement of strategies aimed at the early prevention of possible conflicts. It also has to be pointed out that the NATO principle that enlargement is a gradual process with various phases of integration and coopera- tion, which will be based on the interaction of the multilateral institutions in Europe—EU, VVEU and OSCE, is completely in accordance with the determination of the Republic of Macedonia for its inclu- sion in the European integration processes. The Republic of Macedonia considers the respect and promotion of human rights as one of the strongest indicators of the level of a state’s democratic development and its readiness to successfully join the international institutions and especially NATO. In accordance with its commitment to the full respect and promotion of human rights, the Republic of Macedonia is a state party to all fundamental U.N. conventions on human rights protection. On the regional level, the Republic of Macedonia has ratified the European Convention on Human Rights and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Republic of Macedonia has signed and observes all relevant OSCE docu- ments, basing its policy upon this significant political principles. The standards of these international instruments have already been incorporated in the national legislation, and their implementation is among the top priorities of the government. Being aware of the need for fostering and respecting diversity as a fundamental factor for the internal stability of the state, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has been paying special attention to the protection and promotion of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. Consequently, the protection of minority rights has been regulated by a clear and comprehensive legal framework. The special treatment of minorities has been foreseen on the constitutional level, all of them having equal treatment and enjoying equal rights. The standards included in our national legislation fully correspond to the international standards for the protection of national minorities and their integration in all spheres of social life and in specific areas, such as education and local self- administration, culture and media.

    This well-planned policy is a permanent commitment of the Government and is not of a tempo- rary nature. Its basic objective is a society with a highly expressed feeling of integration, on the one hand, and the developed feeling of individual freedom and respect for all individual features, on the other hand. Also being aware of the fact that the development and promotion of inter-ethnic relations, the respect for the diversity and the strengthening of mutual confidence is a continuous process, and especially having in mind extreme manifestations and tragic consequences of inter-ethnic conflicts in the history of the Balkans, the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia adopted the “Declaration on the Promotion of Inter-ethnic Relations in the Spirit of Tolerance, Dialogue, mutual Respect and Con- fidence”, by which the basic postulates of the Republic of Macedonia in the area of promotion of inter- ethnic relations have been reaffirmed.

    More valuable than the adoption of this declaration is the fact that ethnic extremists rest on the margin of the society and do not have the support of the majority of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. 142

    142 Page 143 144 139 We are strongly convinced that there is always room to do more when the promotion of human rights and fostering of inter-ethnic relations is concerned, the Republic of Macedonia has managed to keep them as a constant priority, both on the domestic and international scene. This fact that has been confirmed in a number of reports of the international monitoring and the cooperation with international organizations-experts have confirmed the correctness of the policy of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. In conclusion we would like to state that since our independence in September 199 1, the Republic of Macedonia has proven its commitment to democracy, market economy respect for human rights and orientation towards the Euro-Atlantic institutions. This has been our policy and our practice. We are convinced that the inclusion of the Republic of Macedonia in the first round of NATO enlargement will be a mutual political, strategic and logistical benefit. 143