YouSaid · the spoken record

Ilinka Mitreva

lines on the record: 27
first: 2001-09-24
most recent: 2005-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“There is no alternative to dialogue and all outstanding regional issues should be resolved in that manner. In closing, I am confident that our deliberations will contribute to better and faster follow-up of the commitments agreed at the High-level Plenary Meeting. I believe that we can soon come up with implementation mechanisms that will give life to what was conceived by our leaders. There were many debates, some of them very contradictory, showing how different we are. But diversity should not prevent us from having a common vision and goals for a better future. That is why we are here at the United Nations.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The reforms are not easy, but we are firm in our resolve to implement them. Regional cooperation has become a major characteristic of the foreign policies of all countries in South-East Europe. We have been patiently building a new spirit of cooperation, while at the same time learning the true meaning of developing relations based on mutual trust and solidarity. That includes our bilateral relations, as well as a large number of regional initiatives. Recognizing that reality and the need to cooperate and to build good-neighbourly relations and mutual confidence was not an easy undertaking, but it is the only way ahead. We take pride in seeing the region move forward. The Republic of Macedonia will continue even more vigorously to pursue such policy.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We expect the European Commission to give a positive evaluation of our achievements and Macedonia to be granted the status of candidate at the December 2005 summit. I firmly believe that the time has come for our European perspective to turn into a European reality. As for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, we expect the invitation to join at the next enlargement summit. The Government has recently announced its economic programme, primarily aimed at increasing economic growth and reducing unemployment. At the same time, it has intensified the development of a climate favourable to foreign investment and safe business conduct. As a critical complement to economic reforms, Macedonia is also focused on reform of the judiciary and the fight against organized crime and corruption. We have set a goal to do better.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The victims of recent acts of terrorism painfully remind us to move forward. From the very beginning, the Republic of Macedonia has been a part of the international anti- terrorist coalitions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Peace and democracy-building in those two countries remain among the key challenges to the international community and to the Iraqis and Afghans themselves. I would like once again to reiterate our support for their efforts to rebuild their countries and to create better lives for their people. Today, my country, Macedonia, is a functional, multi-ethnic democracy. Over the past three years, we have launched and carried out a large number of reform projects. Our hard work has brought us closer to the Euro-Atlantic structures. We have developed genuine partnerships with the Union and the alliance.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Our struggle must be based on full respect for human rights because it is human rights that terrorists are afraid of and seek to undermine. We need further consolidation of the global anti-terrorist coalition and strengthened cooperation with regional organizations. The United Nations is at the core of activities in the area of counter-terrorism. The Republic of Macedonia supports the elaboration of the United Nations comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy, as outlined by the Secretary-General in Madrid. I would like to appeal to the Member States to agree on the comprehensive convention on international terrorism. This year, we took a significant step by adopting the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, which we signed on 16 September.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Furthermore, the establishment of the human rights council must be seen as a powerful tool to regain the values and principles originally envisaged by the creation of the United Nations. We are very satisfied that the concept of “responsibility to protect” has found its well-deserved place for the first time in a United Nations document and welcome its endorsement. The democracy fund is a noble idea which deserves our full creative engagement. Terrorism has turned into the plague of modern times. Since the last session of the General Assembly, many atrocious terrorist attacks have taken place throughout the world. Our firm commitment to fighting terrorism should engender more joint activities and actions.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Macedonia supports the view that human rights, the rule of law and democracy should be given a prominent place in the United Nations reform proposals. Freedom from fear could be said to sum up the whole philosophy of human rights, as former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld put it. It has long been a strong position of my country that respect for those principles, coupled with development, is the best conflict-prevention measure and a vital precondition for peace and prosperity. For that reason, we see great merit in establishing a 8 peacebuilding commission. I trust that a balanced gender representation on the commission will only lead to its better functioning and give added value to peacebuilding.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“But we should not shy away from sharing that responsibility with all those who can assist us, with those who have the capacity to help promote and implement our goals. There are many positive examples in recent memory, beginning with the greater involvement of regional organizations, the civil sector, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and so on. Let us make greater use of them. We can only benefit. On this occasion, I will not dwell in detail on the processes of United Nations reform and the strengthening of the Organization. President Crvenkovski elaborated Macedonia’s position on those issues here last week. Macedonia also aligns itself with the European Union statement. Nevertheless, allow me to say a few words on some current United Nations reform issues of particular interest to us.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“However, turning to the main questions, we have found that we are still lagging behind on some of the issues to which have so strongly committed ourselves. One of the avenues for moving forward involves implementation and visibility. These are not new words. Many promising United Nations ideas and projects have been sidelined due to inappropriate follow-up and inadequate implementation measures, or simply due to insufficient support and funding by the Member States. We should avoid such pitfalls. The sooner the effects of the implementation of our decisions become visible, the greater international public support will be, and the greater the chances of creating a better world for us and for generations to come.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Today we live in a world in which our peoples, nations and Governments depend on each other. We must recognize that in this interdependent and globalized world, all threats are threats to us all. No one is immune to them, nor does any single State have a cure. But how should we proceed? I believe that many of us share the view that, in fact, we already have a multiplicity of documents and agreed positions, as well as many political commitments and adopted declarations. Much has been achieved by the United Nations, and we are proud of that. My own country has also benefited from United Nations efforts — the United Nations engagement in the first-ever preventive deployment mission. That was a good example of the effectiveness of joint efforts and cooperation.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I am happy that we all agree that we need a reformed, more effective and more credible United Nations. The high-level segment made a fair assessment of the progress achieved in the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as of the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits. The assessment by the world leaders was both realistic and upbeat. They boldly assessed the status of current and longstanding problems — extreme poverty, hunger, disease, the HIV pandemic, child mortality, environmental degradation, lack of good governance, disregard for human rights and the rule of law — and showed strength and resolve in defining steps and actions to be taken or reinforced in order to meet our targets, and they were cautiously optimistic about the deadlines to be met.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I would like also to commend Secretary- General Kofi Annan for his skilful leadership of the Organization in what has turned out to be a very difficult year. The High-level Meeting and the outcome document reaffirmed our commitment to the core values and principles of the United Nations Charter and to effective multilateralism, and it identified areas for future action. The summit has also provided us with a unique opportunity to explore new ways to adapt the United Nations to new realities. The Organization was created 60 years ago. However, the vision of its founders — to bring about a more secure, democratic and developed world — needs to be pursued more vigorously today. As a wise man once said, we should be both speakers of words and doers of deeds.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“It gives me great pleasure to address this forum and to share with the General Assembly my Government’s views on issues of the highest relevance to our Organization. But first of all, let me express our solidarity and heartfelt condolences in connection with the loss of life and the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in our host country — the United States of America. I wish to congratulate Mr. Jan Eliasson of Sweden on his election to the post of President of the General Assembly at its sixtieth session. I am sure that under his able guidance we will make substantial progress in implementing the decisions adopted just a few days ago by the heads of State. At the same time, 7 let me congratulate Mr. Jean Ping of Gabon, President of the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session, for a job well done.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The strength and the success of our Organization depend on the resolve of all its Members to respond to the new realities in a more efficient, relevant and adroit manner. We all have our part to play in this respect. This is the best contribution we can make to building a better world for all of us. Last, but not least, allow me also to extend my sincere congratulations to the United Nations and to its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on the Nobel Peace Prize award. This is yet another proof of the lasting relevance of the principles and values of our Organization as enshrined in the United Nations Charter and of the outstanding leadership of its Secretary-General.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Next year's International Conference on Financing for Development and the World Summit on Sustainable Development are the most important events in this respect, and we should all contribute as best we can to their successful outcome. Another important issue is the launching of the new comprehensive trade negotiations under World Trade Organization patronage, with special emphasis on the problems of marginalization, sustainable development and implementation of all multilateral environmental agreements. After 11 September, the world changed. We have to adjust to the new realities. There are many challenges ahead of us, and the United Nations has to be better prepared to deal with them. That will require even greater commitment on our part.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“On this occasion, however, let me refer to the matter of the rights and well-being of children, and in that context to reiterate the importance of the upcoming special session on children as a forum to 40 review the progress achieved and the further steps that need to be taken for the benefit of children all over the world. Furthermore, globalization remains one of the most important issues on the international agenda. It is obvious that there are some essential problems that need to be addressed immediately. In the new millennium, it is crucial for the international community to address the development agenda in a more appropriate way. We believe that the United Nations has a major role to play in this process.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“This year, the Republic of Macedonia submitted, and the First Committee adopted without a vote, a draft resolution on the maintenance of international security good- neighbourliness, stability and development in South- Eastern Europe. That resolution was co-sponsored by 46 Member States. The struggle against terrorism must not deter us from taking up other important parts of the United Nations agenda. At last year's Millennium Summit we identified the direction of future United Nations activities to which we committed ourselves: the eradication of poverty, the struggle against AIDS, conflict prevention and the protection of the environment.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Macedonia is determined to pursue the path of peace and will not allow these events to blur our vision and detract us from our main goals of building a strong democracy at home and becoming integrated into Euro- Atlantic structures. The recent history of crises has shown more than ever the importance of cooperation and solidarity among the countries of our region, and we have acted accordingly. The integration into the European Union and NATO is a common goal of all the countries in the region of South-Eastern Europe. We are all aware that membership is a solution to lasting stability and prosperity. We are determined to contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security, to enhancing international cooperation in all areas and to strengthening the role of the United Nations.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Even though the United Nations was not directly involved in the resolution of the crisis in Macedonia, it is present on the ground through its agencies, working in cooperation with the Government to alleviate the consequences. We are grateful for their help, too. Despite the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia and the international community, attempts are still being made to block the work of the parliament and to obstruct the implementation of the Framework Agreement. The latest events in the Tetovo area, the death of three policemen and the kidnapping of Macedonian civilians are proof that violence continues. We should all condemn these obstacles to peace and stability.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“I would also like to commend the prompt reaction by the Security Council. The awareness that the problems in Macedonia were largely inspired in and imported from neighbouring Kosovo resulted in the adoption of resolution 1345 (2001), by which the Council, inter alia, strongly condemned extremist violence, including terrorist activities, and supported the Macedonian Government in its efforts to end the violence in a manner consistent with the rule of law. On 26 September the Council adopted resolution 1371 (2001), which supported the full implementation of the Framework Agreement and rejected the use of violence in pursuit of political goals.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The cost of terrorism for Macedonia was high: lost lives, destroyed homes and thousand of refugees and internally displaced persons. The crisis also caused economic downfall and a large budget deficit. It has had a negative impact on the country's development and has increased unemployment and poverty rates. I therefore urge the international community, financial institutions and, in particular, the European Union to address our needs at the upcoming donors' conference and to consider the possibility of writing off our foreign debts. At this point, allow me to underline that the international community gives strong political support to the Republic of Macedonia. The European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO are playing an important role in overcoming the crisis, for which we are grateful.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Under the cloak of struggling for minority and human rights, the so-called National Liberation Army (NLA) ─ whose structure, command and control and logistics are of Kosovo provenance ─ wanted to realize one aim: the division of Macedonia and changing the borders in the region. Our response to those attacks was military, political and diplomatic. The Framework Agreement of 13 August of this year, which was signed by the leaders of the four main political parties, is a result of our strong commitment to finding a political solution to the crisis as the best way to defend our country and undermine the goals of the terrorists. But let me reiterate that we will also defend our country by other means if necessary.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“There is no big or small terrorism, nor international or domestic, nor one that is tolerated and one that is not. No one should be allowed to practice terror; the consequences are equally devastating. We have to defend more vigorously than ever our shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated through the use of social, economic, religious and political differences as justification for terrorism. For the past 10 years the Republic of Macedonia has developed a democratic society, a factor of stability in the Balkans. Our model of inter-ethnic relations was set out as an example and was applauded by the 39 international community. Then, eight months ago, Macedonia was exposed to violent terrorist attacks that threatened to undermine all our achievements.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“With regard to relevant international instruments, we believe that the existing United Nations conventions provide a solid international legal framework for the implementation of many measures intended to eradicate terrorism. While we strongly support the adoption of a comprehensive convention against terrorism and a consensus on a global definition of terrorism, their lack should not prevent us from taking action. Action is needed now, from all of us all countries, regions and international organizations. There is no alternative to international cooperation and partnership, as there is no alternative to the common fight against organized crime, which feeds terrorism. But there is one matter we have to keep in mind: different approaches towards acts of terrorism undermine our struggle.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We undertook concrete measures as our contribution to the global efforts and to cooperation to curb terrorist activities. As a response to terrorism and conscious of the fact that terrorism transcends borders, we also proposed the establishment of a regional anti-terrorist pact, stemming from our terrible experience with terrorism over the last eight months. We called upon the international community to cut off financial support for terrorist activities and, in that context, to strengthen the fight against organized crime, aware of the strong link between those evil phenomena. The resolution of regional conflicts is yet another significant contribution we can make to the fight against terrorism.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“That unprecedented terrorist attack took place during the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations. The fatal message of terrorism is to destroy the very essence of dialogue as a global response to conflict and violence. By adopting several resolutions, the United Nations demonstrated powerful solidarity and readiness to combat terrorism. Today that has been reaffirmed by Security Council resolution 1377 (2001), which adopted a declaration on the global effort to combat terrorism. By expressing its strong condemnation of the attacks and its solidarity with the American people and Government, my country, the Republic of Macedonia, immediately joined the call to establish a global international anti-terrorist coalition.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“At the outset, allow me to convey our deepest condolences to the American people and Government for today's plane crash and to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims for their tragic loss. Our condolences also extend to the people and Government of the Dominican Republic, whose nationals comprised most of those on board. Pleading for concerted action against terrorism and for urgent accession by States to all relevant international conventions, the Millennium Summit anticipated the need for more effective and comprehensive joint efforts and cooperation. The tragic events of 11 September united the world and reaffirmed the resolve of all of us to fight the battle against terrorism, gathered around our common values and interests.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)