YouSaid · the spoken record

Nikola Gruevski

lines on the record: 62
first: 2011-09-24
most recent: 2015-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“The Republic of Macedonia will 15-29816 7/45 A/70/PV.25 02/10/2015 continue to work together with all States Members of the United Nations to strengthen international peace and security, promote human rights and achieve the global development goals. Finally, I would like to express our gratitude for the Secretary-General’s leadership and tireless efforts aimed at taking our Organization forward.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I would reiterate once again here, from this rostrum, as we invoke the purposes and principles of the United Nations, that it is incumbent on my country and our neighbour to the south to make full use of international law and justice so as to responsibly resolve the outstanding issue between us. As we try to overcome the issue for the sake of European values and our common future, the positions of both our countries must nevertheless be respected. In this anniversary year, under the leadership of President Lykketoft, the General Assembly will address issues of critical importance for all of us. I would like to emphasize our support for him and wish him every success.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We must expand our ambitions to include large-scale infrastructure projects that involve the efforts of several countries and that will lead to growth in the economies of all countries in the region and the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs. Similarly, we will move forward on the strategic goal of lowering unemployment in our country, which has been a fundamental goal in my political life. Many of us have had great economic successes in the past year. Although I may not sound humble in saying so, my country is one of the economic surprises of the past few years. We have attracted a lot of investment, including investments in large-scale projects, which has accelerated the economic progress of our citizens, developed education and improved standards in almost every sphere, which will naturally benefit the country and the region.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I hope that that approach will be pursued with the new Greek Government and that prejudices can be overcome. Today’s generation of politicians should use the Accord, which was created 24 years ago as a purely political instrument and a road map. We need to move towards a commonly agreed solution supported by the citizens of both countries, which, while helping the Republic of Macedonia to move forward, will be a positive step for Greece and contribute to the positive atmosphere in the region. Such a solution will strengthen the region, so that it can deal with the challenges posed by radical elements and provide a better response to humanitarian crises. We seek a permanent resolution of the issue, one that opens economic possibilities in the form of increased investment in our countries and the region.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We must respect and talk to each other and cooperate with each other in a positive spirit of friendship and cooperation with all countries in the region. My country will work towards that end, both for its own sake and for the sake of the region. As we have done before, I would like to call upon the new Government in Greece, in the spirit of the good-neighbourly relations, to resolve this issue as neighbours, respecting the 1995 Interim Accord between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which is the cornerstone of our relations. The Accord is an agreement made under the auspices of the United Nations, and it by now should have brought about a resolution of the dispute, not its postponement. We have recently developed a new approach that should take us forward and create a positive climate for resolving the issue.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The impression has arisen, unfortunately, both in my country and elsewhere, that the United Nations is resisting dealing with our problem and is even an obstacle to progress on that and other issues in my country. Such an approach by the international community can set precedents and can, unfortunately, be easily manipulated to cause broad instability. Serious commitment is required if Greece is going to be motivated to improve its performance on the issue. Its inertia stems, at least partly, from its economic problems. The international community’s failure to focus on my country has allowed key players to give minimum priority to the issue. As two friendly nations that, except for this issue, do not have any other problems with each other, we have to find a solution.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“International law must be abided by all and in all cases, not just in certain cases. That is why the decision of the International Court of Justice, handed down in favour of my country, must be respected by all Members of the Organization, precisely because the Court was founded by the United Nations and must be seen as a guarantor of the execution of the law and the bilateral agreements concluded under the auspices of the United Nations. Otherwise, trust in the United Nations will fall and sceptics who attack the validity of the Organization will gain strength. In the 25 years since gaining independence, my country, the Republic of Macedonia, has seen a transformation of its region and of Europe.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“One unanswered question relating to the permanent stability of our region that directly influences my country and remains on the United Nations agenda is the difference we have with Greece on the name of my country, that is, the difference we have with regard to our constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia. Resolving that issue with our neighbour is a priority that should be pursued in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and international law, which are defined. We seek discussions on a mutually agreed solution. 6/45 15-29816 02/10/2015 A/70/PV.25 Our position is clear. There is the reality that we are Macedonians, that we speak the Macedonian language and that we live in a country whose constitutional name is the Republic of Macedonia.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“That strategic effort must be an urgent priority for the United Nations. The Republic of Macedonia remains a positive, instructive actor, seeking to make a positive contribution to good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation in ways that unite cooperation with security. This year, our country is serving as the President of the Central European Initiative, and we are focusing on promoting regional interconnections and the development of infrastructure connections. The main strategic and foreign policy priority of the Republic of Macedonia remains our membership in the European Union and in NATO. All reforms undertaken in the country bear that goal in mind. All problems are being resolved in that spirit. Despite the challenges we face, allow me to stress that we expect no obstacles on our path to the North Atlantic community.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We need to pursue a policy of prevention, which is precisely what we have been discussing in the United Nations and in our region. That is why, through the joint efforts of the United Nations in the collective security area, especially the security services within the region, we must prevent the manifestation of extremism in the region by heading off isolated conflicts or efforts to destabilize the region. Actions to repress the core ISIS forces are a positive step forward. But we must also continue to address the populations in the region, based on social inclusion and the values of the United Nations, because extremist groups target them for recruitment. South-East Europe must tighten its security arrangements and move forward to solve outstanding questions in accordance with the principles of the United Nations.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The security situation, aggravated by the presence of foreign fighters, has brought a new challenge for us in dealing with religious intolerance and extreme hatred. ISIS is not a threat only to the Middle East but is a global threat to which no country is immune, especially the countries of South-East Europe, where there is a bigger risk of greater penetration by ISIS and of greater influence on the population. Those facts can have very serious consequences, leading to the destabilization of multi-ethnic societies. That is why peace in the Middle East in particular is an issue of the utmost importance. The P5+1 agreement with Iran is a positive development for the region, since it serves as a model that could be followed for the situation in Syria.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Besides helping the people in need, it will also mean significant improvements in standards in the Balkan countries and the implementation of European values and approaches through cooperation on solutions. What is also crucial — indeed the only way to resolve the refugee crisis — is for Europe to urgently address the main reason for their suffering — in this case, the Syrian conflict. The existing differences with regard to solutions must be put aside. We need unity and a concerted United Nations and Security Council position, such as, for example, that which achieved positive results in the agreement on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons, a situation in which diplomacy accomplished a great victory. The situation in the Middle East is growing worse. The appearance of ISIS has worsened the situation even more.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“For our part, we will do everything in our power to help those people who have needs and people who seek peace and cherish the hope for safe travel and for a safe and decent life. Regardless of the economic and sustainability aspects, we are trying to help them by overcoming certain weaknesses in the established system, with a strong commitment to contributing to the creation of positive solutions for the people based on their needs. However, we cannot do the job alone. The problem requires stronger engagement from the European Union in cooperation with the Balkan countries. Such a commitment would also be quite significant for the enhancement of cooperation on other practical levels. In that manner, the challenge we face will have some positive effects.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Even worse, the ISIS agenda is to destroy societies that are based on universal values and principles protected by the United Nations. 15-29816 5/45 A/70/PV.25 02/10/2015 Today, not just my country, but the whole of the Balkans and Europe are faced with thousands of refugees — children, women, elderly people and entire families who are fleeing the bloodshed in their home countries. Since the beginning of 2015, nearly 200,000 people, mainly Syrians, have transited through the Republic of Macedonia. Syria’s neighbours Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan are also heavily affected. The first signs of that heavy social burden are now being felt in the Balkan countries, whose economies cannot cope with the situation on their own.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Despite that progress, it is clear that certain longstanding unresolved or partially resolved bilateral issues are negatively affecting our present and on our near future. The Republic of Macedonia is facing an open dispute that has become a serious obstacle to our integration in international organizations. That dispute presents an obstacle to progress in building capacity aimed at preventing breakdowns in stability in times of great global stress. Our region faces two key strategic and global challenges. The first is the refugee and migrant crisis, and the second and more dangerous one concerns the aspirations of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) to penetrate to a greater extent into Europe, which brings with it a more serious danger to European economies and to sustainable development.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In their essence they embody freedom and human rights and solidarity for humankind. The United Nations must continue with this principle in mind: to protect democracy. Those standards must remain at the heart of our new policies today, and we must keep this solidarity in mind. That is essential. The past 70 years of United Nations experience have led us to understand that all Member States must be committed to the process of United Nations reform. The future world should be multipolar and avoid the senseless wars that have caused so many nations to suffer. We should face reality and prepare the future for the coming generations. The region of South-East Europe is now entering a phase of positive development, and, in general, national and regional primary objectives have been fulfilled or are within reach.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“While we live in an era of unprecedented technology, with immense innovations that make our lives easier and with examples of the dedication of the scientific community, such as the work on the Ebola vaccine that brought hope and a possible cure, humankind is still confronted with issues that threaten international peace and stability. They threaten our development and prosperity, and they threaten our future. In this ever more globalized world, where today’s news is already in the past, where no one individual is isolated from the problems of the others, we need a bold shift in our policies. To resolve problems, the policies of commitment, cooperation and wisdom should be our common choice, with a proactive approach and maximum engagement. High moral standards must be the main pillars that articulate a new world reality.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In that context it is encouraging that the Member States decided to give a greater role to the General Assembly in the upcoming election of the next Secretary-General. Given the fact that no Secretary-General has ever been elected from the Group of Eastern European States, we stand firmly in support of our Group’s request in that regard. The Republic of Macedonia remains a staunch supporter of multilateralism with the United Nations at its heart, and believes in the benefits of multilateralism to the world. It remains the core principle of our foreign policy.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“That is why we gather regularly here in New York to discuss and develop instruments that demonstrate how the United Nations can better cope with various existing and emerging challenges. The failures do not fall only on our Organization, but predominantly on Member States, due to a lack of political will, and sometimes courage, to take bold but essential decisions. Our common efforts with regard to human rights should focus on reinforcing the system that guarantees human rights both individually and collectively. We should support endeavours aimed at ensuring the protection of human rights as the essence of the strategies and operational activities of the United Nations. What we need for the present and for the future is for the United Nations to continue to exercise its global leadership role for the benefit of mankind.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Critics of the United Nations mission say we live in a world in which conflicts in many regions are perpetuating and affecting the lives of millions while new conflicts emerge and affect the lives of millions more; a world where arms proliferation jeopardizes innocent lives and undermines economic development; a world of extreme poverty, lacking a collective will to agree on the issues affecting us all, such as climate change. We live in a world with tens of millions of refugees and displaced persons. Despite all of that, I do not think that the United Nations has failed in its mission. On the contrary, it has resolved or mitigated difficult situations and issues that no one could handle alone, and it continues to do so.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“It is my privilege to participate in the general debate in the year in which we mark the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, the twentieth anniversary of the Beijing Conference, a decade and a half since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration (resolution 55/2) and a decade since the 2005 World Summit. Since 1945 and the end of the devastating war that took the lives of more than 50 million people, the United Nations, firmly committed to promoting freedom from want and fear, has established itself as a determined and driving force behind the international community and positive changes in the world.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Instead of assuming that responsibility, the Organization has accepted the comfort of remaining silent and not resolving the dispute; instead of defending itself, it has remained inactive with regard to the status quo, which is obviously creating problems and challenges for the region. It should start considering alternative scenarios and doing more to stimulate a solution to this long- standing dispute. I am confident that we have the capacity to jointly respond to the challenges. In the name of the people that we represent, we must assume responsibility for the present and the future. Assuming such responsibility means taking decisions, changing habits and reinforcing cooperation and prosperity, but it is something that can be done. That is the responsible way to proceed.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Aware of this already discouraging situation, the United Nations should help via its organs, through the General Assembly and the Security Council. It is on the basis of Security Council resolution 817 (1993) that we are in discussions with our neighbour to arrive at a solution that will free the identity of my country. Otherwise, the United Nations will be faced with failure again and will bear the responsibility for not having acted in accordance with its own principles and values. I do not want to spare anyone. We all have responsibility, including the Organization.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“With our openness and with our justified initiative, we are showing that we wish for a solution to be found. However, our meetings must not be purely a formality; rather, they must have substance and must not create an alibi for not finding a solution. I am convinced that only a substantial commitment by the international community, above all by the United Nations, will lead to a solution, taking into consideration the basic documents of the United Nations on the rights of countries and individuals, the United Nations resolutions that defined the talks, agreements guaranteed by the United Nations, the decisions of United Nations bodies and international law as a whole. However, if there is no progress, the United Nations must not remain inactive and be satisfied with the status quo, as that would mean showing further irresponsibility.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Our mandate, entrusted to us by the citizens, should be essential to achieving a mutually acceptable solution — which I believe can be attained — a solution that will be accepted and agreed upon by the citizens of our countries. The examples of Serbia and Kosovo, as well as those of Croatia and Slovenia, where political representatives at the highest level managed to overcome challenges, are the best proof that results can be achieved in that way. I invite the Assembly to directly take part in the realization of this initiative, overcome the standstill and, through its commitment, provide intensity and forward movement, as well as greater interest on the part of Greece in a solution and progress. Actions speak of the one who undertakes them.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Faced with the lack of interest by the Hellenic Republic in substantive talks for a solution to the dispute, two months ago I suggested to the Greek Prime Minister a change in the format of discussions, that is, raising them to a much higher political level. I as a Macedonian and he as a Greek Prime Minister, together with ministers from both Governments, would meet directly and talk about a solution. That would lead to greater efficiency, because we are the ones most often called upon to solve the issue. Twenty-two years is too much time to not get anywhere and is sufficient proof that there must be a change in the game.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“If it is not possible for that issue to be resolved now — although we are the ones who are most interested in its resolution and we sincerely wish for a sustainable, balanced and, most important, mutually acceptable solution to be found — then some other generation in different circumstances will be able to resolve it, but precisely on the basis of the values, positions and principles that I mentioned before, which indicate a just and fair solution, without winners and losers. However, I personally believe that we must not leave those thorny issues to future generations. We must try to find a solution and find strength to provide prosperity for the countries and the region. It is said that actions speak solely of those who undertake them.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“But it should be clear to everyone that such challenges should not be considered a trigger for any changes of our justified and internationally correct position that would lead to a change in our Macedonian identity. It is not possible to change something that has existed for centuries by imposing blockages or by threats about possible misunderstandings, tensions or unrest, not even by implementing them. The Macedonian people will never accept being renamed.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“According to that line of thinking, with the lack of commitment in the discussions and the blocking of European and Euro-Atlantic integration that my country faces — integration that is directly hindered by the dispute despite our having met the standards required of us by the international multilateral organizations, NATO and the European Union — we would thus be prevented from joining and face the possibility of internal misunderstandings regarding the hindrance caused by our southern neighbour, and we would drop our guard in spite of the force of the arguments, which are on our side. It is true that by putting off the solution of the dispute, more challenges in the country and the region are created, and the tension becomes greater at certain moments.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Although that is a result of objective reasons caused by its adverse economic situation, it also entails a strategic and tactical political element based on the analysis that prolonging the process of solving the dispute would contribute to the Republic of Macedonia being isolated in its positions, which are based on international law and values, and to its resignation to a kind of self-annihilation of the State and the nation by agreeing to be renamed.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In this particular case, the United Nations should take action that will lead to the settlement of the outstanding issues that Greece has with us. At the previous session, we debated preventive diplomacy and concluded that it should be an essential element of the international community. Therefore, the United Nations must not, and should not, stand aside in this process, which severely hinders Macedonia’s aspirations to a better future for its citizens. Commitment is necessary to make it possible for Greece to begin resolving this issue, because in the past two years there has been great inertness on the part of Greece.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In addition to disputing the constitutional name of my country — the Republic of Macedonia — Greece also disputes the identity of my citizens, that is, it does not allow them to be called Macedonians or the language that they speak to be called the Macedonian language, despite the fact that for more than half a century there have been departments in universities throughout the world where the Macedonian language has been studied and it has been called the Macedonian language. It is the same as if somebody denied an individual the right to speak French, German, Polish, English, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Hindi or any other language. The United Nations must not overlook the violation of the basic human right to decide one’s own name, and should take action to enable the exercise of that right.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Sixty-six years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this dispute, unjustly imposed on us by Greece, violates one of the fundamental rights of the individual — the right to decide one’s own name. Every representative of my people is denied the right to be called as they wish, as their mothers and fathers, grandparents and all other ancestors throughout history were called: Macedonian.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Not respecting international law also means having no respect for the 50 million victims that fought for it 70 years ago, as well as going against the decisions of our predecessors — the founders of the Organization. International law should not be a platitude, but rather should provide a solution to every challenge. According to international law, the Republic of Macedonia is entitled to decide on its own name and to use the word Macedonian to denote its ethnic identity. Settling our differences with our southern neighbour is our priority, but only and precisely within the United Nations resolutions that define the solution that is the subject of discussion, and by reaching a mutually acceptable solution. We should settle our differences in no other way, especially not by expanding those limits.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“There is no regulation of international law that restricts a country from calling itself as it wishes, or restricts its citizens from being able to be called and named as they wish. Naming is one of the five prerogatives of States, as well as an undisputed right of every Member country. Why do we need international law if we do not adhere to it? If we turn a blind eye to that injustice and obvious violation of international law, we will be directly responsible for breaking one of the principles of world peace and of the United Nations. We do not want that, nor can we allow it. If it were not for international law, anarchy would reign and the United Nations would become a debate club without any basic competencies. We do not want to participate in that, at the expense of everything, even to our own detriment.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“For four years in a row, Greece has prevented the start of negotiations for our membership in the European Union. On the basis of our appeal concerning the obstructions of Greece with regard to our application for membership, in 2011 the International Court of Justice\ — a principal organ of the United Nations established by States Members and located at The Hague — issued a judgment that Greece had violated international law by not adhering to the interim accord and that the Republic of Macedonia had not violated international law or the commitments it had agreed to. However, we were hindered again, notwithstanding the decision of the highest body of justice in the world, and that is apparent to the Assembly and its member countries. The United Nations was established in order to protect international law.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The Republic of Macedonia became a United Nations Member in 1993 with an atypical membership condition, namely, the denial of its constitutional name. It was admitted with an interim country reference — an unprecedented event in history that was contrary to the provisions of international law. But we have endured all that, although it lingers to date as a problem. In 1995, under United Nations mediation, we signed an interim accord with Greece by which we changed our flag and parts of our Constitution, while Greece undertook not to create obstacles to our NATO accession in 2008. Not only did Greece obstruct our act of accession to the international Organization itself, it also obstructed the processes for opening the membership procedures in another organization.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I believe that this issue was a created one, a classic case of politicization and an instrument that, approximately 20 years ago, was either supposed to make someone score some political points or, by creating an atmosphere of conflict, to bring about some strategic regional shifts, as well as to slow down the spread of freedom, democracy and the introduction of market economies in the Balkans. At the last session, the General Assembly discussed the rule of law, with all Member States unanimously agreeing that respect for internationally agreed norms and principles was a must. Unfortunately, norms are not always adhered to. The United Nations must be neither idle in that regard nor renege from its responsibility to counter any disrespect for the rule of law.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The issue, which should have been promptly resolved among neighbours, partners and future allies, has lasted for 22 years. While being a very realistic problem for my people, this is an issue that I deeply believe is essentially hypothetical and does not have any basis in international law or in the United Nations acts. It is difficult, I would say even impossible, for someone to find a legal justification for such an objection. The fact that the overwhelming majority of countries have recognized our constitutional name — the Republic of Macedonia — with more than 135 of them being United Nations Members, clearly shows that most of countries do not believe that the dispute has a justified basis, or if it does they denounce it.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Despite such advances, certain long-standing unresolved or partly resolved bilateral issues are clearly having a negative impact on our present and immediate future. In the case of the Republic of Macedonia, that happens to be a serious obstacle to our agenda for integration into international organizations. The Republic of Macedonia is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of its United Nations membership with the still unresolved issues of the use of the name of my country, the Republic of Macedonia, and of the identity of my people, the Macedonian identity. Those questions emerged because of a dispute raised by our southern neighbour Greece, which opposes our name, which is our fundamental individual and collective right.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Despite differing views, all member States of the Security Council and of the United Nations agree that to achieve a final resolution of the Syrian crisis, the political approach should be given a chance. It is therefore essential to focus maximum effort on revitalizing the search for a political settlement and to convene the “Geneva II” conference as soon as possible. The Syrian people deserve better days through decisive action by the international community that will end the violence and threats. The region of South-East Europe has entered a phase of positive development, and in general the national and regional primary objectives are either fulfilled or are within reach. Regional cooperation is expanding in a number of new fields.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We actively contribute to the promotion of peace on an international level, participating in international missions that safeguard freedom and democracy. With regard to one of the major issues — the crisis in Syria and the internal conflict that has created more than 100,000 victims and 2 million refugees — what is more troubling is that chemical weapons were used against the Syrian people while diplomatic efforts were under way, although their use is strictly prohibited under international law. That must not be tolerated. We are among the countries to have asked for an urgent investigation under the auspices of the Secretary- General’s mechanism for the investigation of the alleged use of chemical and biological weapons.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Economic growth facilitates human growth, reduces poverty and facilitates better education and health care and is thus a crucial element of any development framework. The Republic of Macedonia will fully contribute to the achievement of all global objectives through its national agenda, in which investment in education, health, agriculture and food, the environment and infrastructure and the partnership between the Government and the business community are the highest priorities. Peace, conflict resolution and human rights protection are United Nations goals. Today they represent an even a greater challenge, which we should respond to and overcome. The Republic of Macedonia supports the approach of the United Nations in responding to those challenges.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“That was also the objective when the United Nations was established following the Second World War. We thank the President and the Secretary-General for their engagement and leadership in the work to establish the new post-2015 development framework, building upon the Millennium Development Goals to include an economic, social and ecological dimension of sustainable development. What is important for the post-2015 development agenda — an ambitious and complex project — is the building of a global partnership among Governments, the private sector, civil society and individuals, including the mobilization of institutional and human resources. The environment must be a key building block of sustainable development: it is nature that sustains us, and its resources should be used wisely.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Allow me to begin by congratulating President Ashe on his election and wishing him great success in presiding over the General Assembly. I would also like to congratulate the outgoing President, Mr. Vuk Jeremi., on his successful presidency. I also thank the Secretary-General for his leadership in strengthening the United Nations ability to respond to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Each year in September, world leaders gather in New York to develop joint responses to challenges. That is a great challenge for all — national Governments, international and regional organizations, civil society and the private sector. We share the primary responsibility for a peaceful and secure world that ensures the rights and interests of individuals, nations and countries within the framework of the rule of national and international law.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“If we do that, we can survive, we can succeed and we can build a better world for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and for future generations, which, ultimately is what each and every one of us wants.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We thank them for their principled position and consistency in the values of protection of the rights and principles established by the United Nations itself. Unfortunately, the rules of the world are such that we cannot be called by what we call ourselves in this very body. Nor can we join organizations we have worked hard to become members of, and, in the case of NATO and the European Union, have earned a right to be a part of. This, frankly, is wrong. There is no other word for it. What others choose to do about it — their behaviour — is entirely up to them. It is a great honour and great privilege to address this body. All of us are leaders of our people and all of us represent them to the best of our abilities. But we must recommit ourselves as leaders to our own peoples first, and to the peoples of this world second.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Macedonians are a peaceful people and are working, with mediation, to resolve the dispute with our neighbour in a peaceful manner. In a speech to the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia on 31 August 2001, our late President, Boris Trajkovski, said: “We demand that the international community recognize us by our name — the Republic of Macedonia — and not by a fictional derivative. It is high time that the world recognizes us by what we call ourselves, just like any other country and its citizens. Otherwise, how do you expect us to believe in your values, principles and intentions if you deny our basic right, the right to identity?” Fortunately, 131 countries around the world have made a choice to recognize us by what we call ourselves — the Republic of Macedonia — and for that we thank them.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I ask for support to end this, to allow us to be what we are. We hurt no one and inflict damage on no one. We have understanding, tolerance and respect for our neighbours and friends and for everyone. We have respect for the neighbour with which we are having this dispute and an understanding of its fears. We have no pretensions, nor do we have any intention of monopolizing the name Macedonia. Please help us to be proud and dignified and to avoid a solution that would break us. We seek a solution that will not harm our spirit and a name that will recognize our commitment, desire and determination for coexistence, community, individuality and identity as well as our sense of belonging to the world — this world that we are building, whose virtues we are establishing and whose future we are fighting for.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Imagine the state that my citizens find themselves in — blackmailed, with their development and prospects jeopardized, blocked by our southern neighbour from joining euro-Atlantic institutions, just because of what we are and what we feel like. I personally, and literally all of the citizens of my country, cannot believe that we have been put in a situation where we have to resolve a dispute that was artificially created and absurd. I believe that it is also utterly incomprehensible to all present. I would ask participants in this meeting to imagine, just for a moment, that they are in our shoes, to consider how they would feel if someone demanded they not be French, German, British, American, Russian, Chinese, Nigerian, Japanese, Argentine, Uruguayan or Kenyan, for instance. That is the only thing I ask, the only thing I plead for.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)