Exclusive interview for ARGUMENTUM.al with the Ambassador of North Macedonia in Tirana, H. E. Mr. Dancho Markovski
Marjana Doda
Editor-in-Chief
The OSCE Chairmanship in 2023 is a great opportunity for the Republic of North Macedonia at a time when the OSCE region is facing one of the biggest security threats, has said the Ambassador of North Macedonia to Albania, Dancho Markovski in an exclusive interview with the portal Argumentum.al. ”This is a project of national importance and is a recognition of our reform efforts at home and our proactive foreign policy, as a credible and responsible actor in the region and beyond,” said the Ambassador who dwelt on the priorities of his country at the helm of the organization.
Touching upon that war and the military actions in which state-of-the-art weapons are used to destroy civilian population and settlements do not leave anyone indifferent and we are witnessing the biggest military conflict on the border of Europe since the end of the Second World War, the end of which is difficult to predict. “It is more than certain that the world after the war in Ukraine will not be the same,” according to him.
In a comment on the condition set by Bulgaria regarding the EU accession negotiations for North Macedonia, the Ambassador said his country remains focused on maintaining close and constructive relations with Bulgaria, first of all, through the implementation of the obligations from the Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation. ‘The French proposal was accepted by both sides and the obligations arising from it have been accepted by both countries.”
Regarding the “Open Balkan” initiative, Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana said the tripartite agreement between North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia there would be no stopping at all during the trips of their citizens from one country to another. But, according to him, the Open Balkan initiative is not an alternative to the Berlin process and this is unfortunately a wrong perception among certain critics who equate the initiative with the process.
Dwelling on the relations between North Macedonia and Albania the Ambassador saw a positive trend in that relationship and the second intergovernmental session held in Skopje, where several agreements from various areas were signed was considered by him as the establishment of a solid contractual framework regulating several spheres of mutual interest. “After many years, we finally have increased economic cooperation. The trade exchange in 2022 was over three hundred million euros, it shows that there is potential between the two countries,” North Macedonia Ambassador Dancho Markovski said in the following interview:
Argumentum.al: Mr. Ambassador, North Macedonia officially received the one-year presidency of the OSCE from January 1 of this year. What are its priorities and how much will the leadership of this organization by RNM influence the geopolitical developments, especially of Russia’s war in Ukraine?
E. Mr. Dancho Markovski: Small countries rarely get such a chance to show themselves on a big stage. This is a great opportunity for the Republic of North Macedonia at a time when the OSCE region is facing one of the biggest security threats. This is a project of national importance and is a recognition of our reform efforts at home and our proactive foreign policy, as a credible and responsible actor in the region and beyond. The priority goal of the MKD OSCE 2023 is to contribute to the efforts and processes for peace, stability and cooperation in the OSCE region based on the principles and values of the Organization, which are seriously threatened by the military aggression in Ukraine. The purpose of the presidency is to initiate processes that will be focused on the people, the citizens of the participating countries, especially those who need help and support. Most of the priorities are related to broad, traditional topics that run through the OSCE agenda over the years and all have some kind of connection with security in accordance to the Organization’s profile.
-The Russian invasion of Ukraine is seen as a threat to the geopolitical order. Should the countries of the Western Balkans be concerned about this aggression, considering the old conflicts still not closed in the Balkan Peninsula?
The countries of the Western Balkans are part of Europe and share the concern of further escalation of military actions. There are attempts by certain forces that wish to provoke crisis situations or, as you say, actualize the conflicts that have not yet been closed, but they do not have fertile ground. However, the nineties are behind us. Most countries are NATO members and share the same democratic values and goals, including EU membership.
-This conflict clearly seems to have changed the course of all global developments. Are we heading towards a third world war? How could this ongoing war end in your opinion?
Unfortunately, devastating wars and the destruction they cause are still present. Even in the 21st century, the international world is faced with very strong challenges. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the military actions in which state-of-the-art weapons are used to destroy civilian population and settlements do not leave anyone indifferent. We are witnessing the biggest military conflict on the border of Europe since the end of the Second World War, the end of which is difficult to predict. This is not a classic military conflict of a local character, the war in Ukraine caused serious crisis in several sectors in the world economy, and the consequences are felt by many countries. It is more than certain that the world after the war in Ukraine will not be the same.
– Mr. Ambassador, Albania and North Macedonia started negotiations for membership in the EU in 2022. How do you see the continuation of this process today where all the attention of Europe is on the military conflict in Ukraine? Do you think that the Russian aggression against Ukraine can be used as a “momentum” by our countries in their aspiration towards the EU?
In the opening statement of North Macedonia at the first Intergovernmental Conference, it was declared that by 2030 the country will be fully ready to take on the obligations to become a full member of the EU, so far, 45 percent of the domestic legislation is harmonized. I remind you that in the October 2022 EC Report, the general level of grades for North Macedonia is equal to or better than last year, and in the most difficult, Fundamental Rights Cluster, it generally stands the best in relation to other countries in the region. Ahead of us is a period of further implementation of the reforms that the Government is making. The screening process is carried out in Brussels according to the agreed plan and dynamics on a daily basis.
-However, these negotiations for North Macedonia have opened with another condition. It is the constitutional changes, as the main condition for the integration of RNM in the EU, but still the political leaders have not reached an agreement. How much will this political impasse affect the European integration of North Macedonia?
North Macedonia remains focused on maintaining close and constructive relations with Bulgaria, first of all, through the implementation of the obligations from the Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation. The French proposal was accepted by both sides and the obligations arising from it have been accepted by both countries. The activities in several fields so far are aimed at deepening the relations and are proof that the interest in cooperation is present. Hopefully that the fourth parliamentary elections in a row in Bulgaria will bring a stable political government with which we will continue the dialogue and cooperation, because that is what the citizens of both countries expect.
– This Bulgarian condition has shaken the political stability in the country. VMRO-DPMNE says that for the constitutional changes, the parliamentary majority does not have the votes of 2/3 of the total of 120 deputies, demanding early parliamentary elections, while the government is moving towards its expansion. What would be the right solution to expand the government majority or the country goes to early elections? What is vital for North Macedonia today?
The answer to this question lies with the political parties operating within the Parliament. It is their obligation to come to a solution in which the interests of the people and the state will be represented. Since the beginning of our independence, NATO and EU membership have been the biggest and main priorities in our foreign policy.
-After the Prespa agreement and now with the constitutional changes to the benefit of Bulgaria, what is the guarantee that another reason will not appear tomorrow that might hinder North Macedonia’s journey towards the European Union?
Let me first clarify that before becoming a full member of the Union, each country harmonizes its legislation with the EU, which implies certain constitutional amendments. In our Constitution, full civil equality of all citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia including the Albanians, Turks, Serbs, Vlachs, Roma and other nationalities is ensured, hence the introduction of other minorities such as the Croats, Montenegrins and Bulgarians will represent another confirmation of the broad inclusiveness. As for guarantees, nobody in the negotiation process can give guaranties. The EU operates according to its own established rules, which can sometimes be a problem for the members themselves. An example of this is the Schengen agreement, which prescribes special rules that each member of the Union must fulfill if they want to become part of that system.
-“Open Balkans” an initiative that unites Albania and North Macedonia, but it is still not tangible for our citizens. What is being done with all those agreements signed in the framework of the initiative? Can it be said that the return of the Berlin Process onto the stage has suffocated this regional initiative?
The “Open Balkan” initiative made it possible to launch the much-desired idea through, for the time being, a tripartite agreement between North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia that there would be no stopping at all during the trips of their citizens from one country to another. The Open Balkan initiative in not an alternative to the Berlin process. This is unfortunately a wrong perception among certain critics who equate the initiative with the process. From the very beginning the Open Balkan initiative is dedicated to providing conditions for the practice of the four European freedoms: free movement of people, capital, goods and services, that is, an amplifier of regional cooperation and connectivity, with the ultimate goal of successful preparation for European integration.
– Mr. Ambassador, in a previous interview for “Argumentum” two years ago, you emphasized that the focus of your work as ambassador in Albania will be the promotion of the policy of good neighborly relations, the increase of economic-commercial cooperation, re-branding of the cultural representation of North Macedonia, etc. Can you give us today an overview of the political, economic and cultural relations between Albania and North Macedonia?
The positive trend in bilateral relations as well as the established personal communication between the official representatives is to mutual satisfaction. Last year the second intergovernmental session was held in Skopje, where several agreements from various areas were signed. In this way, a solid contractual framework was established that regulated several spheres of mutual interest. After many years, we finally have increased the economic cooperation. The trade exchange in 2022 was over three hundred million euros, it shows that there is potential between the two countries. Positive results are also noted in the cultural cooperation. Exhibitions in Tirana, Durrës and Korča, musical events, book promotions, were part of the Days of Macedonian Culture. The two ministries of culture signed an agreement for the restitution of Macedonian icons. The Opera houses harmonized the text of the memorandum on mutual cooperation. The Macedonian Cultural Information Center becomes a tangent for cultural creators of all generations on both sides of the border.
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