Exclusive Interview for ARGUMENTUM.al with the Ambassador of North Macedonia to Albania, H.E. Dancho Markovski
Marjana Doda
Editor-in-Chief
The Head of Mission of Skopje in Tirana, H.E. Dancho Markovski, has concluded not only his diplomatic mission in Albania but also his career in diplomatic service after four decades. “Albania was the seventh and final stop of my diplomatic journey around the world.” After nearly 40 years of diplomatic service, I am finally concluding my work commitment. I am pleased that, in the future, I will have the opportunity to dedicate myself to theoretical academic work at a well-known university in Skopje,” states Ambassador Markovski in this exclusive interview with Argumentum.al.
In this interview, the Ambassador provides a detailed overview of the challenges and successes during his tenure, mentioning among his key achievements the opening of the Macedonian Cultural Information Center in Tirana and the development of cultural and academic relations between the two countries. He also addresses common challenges, as well as the importance of improving economic cooperation and advancing the European perspective of both North Macedonia and Albania.
“In regard to my four-year mandate, my daily activities focused on implementing the foreign policy goals of North Macedonia, specifically: The policy of developing good-neighborly relations between the two countries; Increasing bilateral economic and trade cooperation; The renaming of Macedonia’s cultural representation; and Cooperation with Macedonian cultural societies in Albania in the protection of their ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identity,” he emphasizes, providing a summary of his work and diplomatic mission in Tirana.
The opening of the Macedonian Cultural Information Center in Tirana is a key achievement, offering opportunities to promote Macedonian culture and protect ethnic and cultural diversity. Additionally, the advancement of the Macedonian language learning in universities has had a significant impact. This is a cornerstone that was laid thanks to Ambassador Markovski’s special commitment.
Regarding economic cooperation between the two countries, the Ambassador points out that while economic collaboration has progressed, there is still room for growth in trade exchanges. He believes the economic potential remains underutilized and hopes for the creation of a mixed intergovernmental committee to support economic development. In the cultural field, he expects the cooperation to deepen further.
One of the main challenges during his diplomatic mission was the population registration process in Albania, particularly concerning the 2023 Census for the Macedonian minority. This process sparked discussions and disputes, and it is one of the issues that the Ambassador has described as problematic. He emphasizes that the 2023 census had shortcomings in its implementation, including insufficient training of enumerators and incorrect information provided to citizens about ethnic affiliation. The Ambassador expresses concern about the low number of registered Macedonians and stresses the importance of preserving the identity of this ethnic group.
“The result of this was the emergence of an impressive number of a minority group that had not appeared in previous population registrations, unlike the Macedonian one. Before and during the registration, an interesting passport engineering took place. As for the Macedonians, they remain loyal citizens of the Albanian state. They will continue their activities to preserve their ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identity. The history of third-party passports will become irrelevant once Albania becomes an EU member,” says the Ambassador.
Asked about international developments and their impact on the region, as a career diplomat, the Ambassador stated that, although the Balkans is a critical international point, there is no risk of serious destabilization. He emphasized that most Balkan countries are members of NATO or are in the process of joining, and the memories of the conflicts of the former Yugoslavia make another irrational move unimaginable. The Ambassador pointed out that a factor contributing to the rise of populism and nationalism is the slow pace of integration of Western Balkans countries into the EU, which allows politicians to spread such ideas, while the youth continues to emigrate toward European countries.
Full interview:
M.Doda: Mr. Ambassador, thank you for the opportunity of this interview, which comes as a reflection of your diplomatic work in Albania, at the end of your mandate as Ambassador of North Macedonia. Therefore, the first question arises naturally, how do you evaluate this mandate as the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia in Albania, and what were the most important developments during the period of your diplomatic engagement?
H.E. Dancho Markovski: Albania was the last seventh stop of my diplomatic trip around the world. After almost 40 years of diplomatic service, I am finally ending my work engagement. I am satisfied that in the future I will have the opportunity to devote myself to theoretical educational work at a well-known university in Skopje. Regarding my four-year mandate, I focused my daily activities on the implementation of Macedonian foreign policy goals, namely: The policy for the development of good neighborly relations between the two countries; Increasing bilateral economic and trade cooperation; Rebranding of the cultural representation of North Macedonia; and Cooperation with the cultural societies of the Macedonians in Albania in terms of protecting their ethnic, linguistic and cultural uniqueness. In doing so, generally positive results were achieved, sometimes more, sometimes less. But cooperation is a process that is constantly being upgraded.
– How do you evaluate the relationship between North Macedonia and Albania during your mandate? What were the main challenges you encountered during this mandate?
As immediate neighbors, the most significant thing is that both sides maintained their commitment to cooperation through open and constructive political dialogue, as the most acceptable possible way to build good neighborly relations and a mutual vision for a prosperous and interconnected region, integrated into NATO and the EU. In the past period, the two countries generated stability in the region of the Western Balkans, promoting dialogue and compromise as the most acceptable tools in overcoming open issues.
An intensive political dialogue and mutual communication was realized through frequent meetings and contacts at all levels. Confirmation of this was the two G to G held jointly between government sessions in Pogradec and Skopje. The visits of presidents, parliament speakers, frequent meetings of prime ministers and government ministers resulted in numerous bilateral agreements in areas of common interest.
-What are the most important achievements in bilateral relations between Albania and North Macedonia during your mandate that you would like to highlight?
Among the more significant ones, I would single out the opening of the Macedonian Cultural Information Center in Tirana, which created opportunities for a more comprehensive cultural presentation of our country and rebranding of Macedonian culture and the cultural presentation of our country to the Albanian public, with the aim of presenting the new image of our country. The center is also an opportunity for a more serious articulation of the activities of Macedonians, showing the diversity of Albanian society.
Of particular importance were the initiatives for the opening of the Macedonian language course at the Faculty of Philosophy at the “Fan S. Noli” University in Korça, as well as the revitalization of the Macedonian Language Department at the Faculty of Foreign Languages at the University of Tirana, after more than eight years. Unlike the University of Korça, where the registration of the first students is expected, in the Faculty of Tirana, last year the first group of students graduated, and from this year, in addition to regular lessons, the Macedonian language is included in the group of optional languages for studies postgraduate.
– One of the most discussed issues these days is the perspective of the Western Balkans for integration into the European Union. How do you see the European journey of North Macedonia now that it has been separated from Albania in this process?
North Macedonia will continue on its integration path until final membership in the European Union. Since the day of our independence, the most important foreign policy goals in foreign policy have been NATO and EU membership. Too much has been invested in that, unfortunately, thorny and unfair path, but it must be followed to the end. The separation from Albania in no way means that the Macedonian administration stopped with the process of fulfilling the necessary criteria. A high percentage of compliance with European legislation was achieved in several clusters. The negotiating teams are working hard and are in constant contact with the European Commission. I believe that this obstacle from one of our neighboring countries will be overcome. North Macedonia will become a member of the EU.
– How do you assess the impact of economic and cultural cooperation in strengthening relations between North Macedonia and Albania? -What are the areas where you think improvements can be achieved?
The general assessment of the economic bilateral cooperation is that it still does not cooperate with the reached level of political relations and the mutually expressed readiness for its advancement. The fact that both countries are not on their lists of 20 most important economic partners confirms this finding. The step made in the exchange of over 230 million euros, compared to 2018, when it ranged from about 150 million. euros, is still insufficient considering the existing opportunities and potential, starting from the regulated legal framework, close proximity, road connection, common border, etc. I expect that in the coming period there will be efforts from both countries that will contribute to increasing economic cooperation. I hope that the formation of the mixed intergovernmental committee for economic cooperation will be in support of these commitments. From the rest of the areas, there remains the need for the adoption of by-laws that will enable the study of the Macedonian language not only in Pustec, but also in other areas where there is an interest in it. Cultural cooperation will continue to expand and deepen.
– The 2023 census in Albania has brought discussions and disputes. How do you assess the census result for the Macedonian minority, especially in relation to the low numbers reported? What are your concerns about this minority group within this census?
Despite the fact that the census was postponed for a year in order to be better implemented, it unfortunately did not meet my expectations, but also the expectations of the representatives of minorities, members of religious denominations and others. The way it was implemented in the environments where Macedonians live did not meet the necessary standards. The insufficient training of the enumerators, the inadequate information of the persons who were enumerated, especially in relation to their ethnic and religious affiliation, arbitrarily filling in the forms, not respecting the registration deadline, that is, leaving unregistered persons who were not present at the moment, are only part of the irregularities that cast a stain on the correctness of the census. For these problems, there were reactions from the Macedonian societies as well. The result of that is obtaining a striking number of a minority, which has not existed in the censuses of the country, unlike the others, especially the Macedonian one. Before and during the census, an interesting passport engineering took place. As for the Macedonians, they still remain loyal citizens of the Albanian state. They will persist in their activities in preserving their ethnic, linguistic and cultural identity. The story of third-party passports will become irrelevant the moment Albania becomes a member of the EU.
-As diplomat with experience in the region and the world, it would be interesting to hear your opinion on the geopolitical developments of recent years. How do you see the role of major powers, such as the USA, Russia and China, in shaping geopolitical policies in the region?
In the period that follows, I hope that there will be a certain reduction in the current military conflicts and that efforts to find a peaceful solution will be strengthened. The world is not ready for a nuclear war in which everyone will be the loser. Reason must prevail. The new American administration is expected to bring certain changes in the foreign course of the country. A new realignment in economic spheres of interest is on the horizon. The competition between the USA, China, India, Russia, as well as some regional powers for the greatest primacy and influence in the multi-polar world will continue. So that the perfectly chaotic world we knew will enter a new phase of international relations. As for the states in our region, we should not expect any turbulent developments. Most countries from the Western Balkans have a clear pro-Western vision. Attempts for greater influence by certain great powers have always existed. The question is how much and what is the readiness of the EU to accept them and finally round off its integrity.
– Do you think there is any possible danger to stability in the region as a result of these developments?
Despite the fact that our region is treated as a critical point, I don’t think there is any danger of a more serious destabilization. Most of the Balkan countries are members of NATO or are making efforts to join this alliance. The memories of the military conflicts in the former Yugoslav state are still fresh for someone to reach for an unreasonable move. What, in my opinion, in a certain way contributes to witnessing national-chauvinist ideas from local politicians who, in the absence of vision, try to proclaim cheap populism and threats, is the slow integration of the countries of the Western Balkans within the EU. Unfairly leaving the region on some disputed track outside the European framework makes the Europeanization of the region impossible. And this is precisely the space in which this type of politician proclaims populism unhindered while young people leave for European countries.
-What message do you want to leave behind for the relations between the two countries, focusing on future developments and prospects for cooperation between Albania and North Macedonia?
I expect the positive degree of mutual relations to be maintained. The absence of open issues is a good basis for building friendship between the two countries and their peoples.
Finally, Mr. Ambassador,
I would like to express my thanks for the spirit of cooperation that you have promoted, not only at the institutional level between our two countries, but also for your willingness to cooperate with the media.
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