YouSaid · the spoken record

Zoran Zaev

lines on the record: 27
first: 2017-09-24
most recent: 2019-09-24
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

“We call on Member States to strengthen their efforts to maintain international peace and security. The commitments that we make in the General Assembly echo across the globe. However, it is our actions at home that secure the protection of human rights and the well-being of individuals. Let our actions be true to our commitments so that we can create a better world for all.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Notwithstanding the existing robust human rights architecture, the gross human rights violations around the globe, along with the widespread impunity and lack of accountability, remind us that there is much to be done nationally, regionally and globally. North Macedonia continues to support all actions aimed at countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the illegal arms trade and supports all aspects of disarmament efforts. I also wish the President much success in galvanizing positive energy and debates on a wide array of challenging and divisive issues. He may count on the full support of North Macedonia in his endeavour. The Republic of North Macedonia remains a strong supporter of multilateralism. In today’s fragmented world, we will continue to work with all stakeholders. This is our shared world.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We are going to be an active collaborator in that process, just as we have been in the past. Misinformation and disinformation, along with other targeted campaigns, continue to challenge and damage global democratic governance and test the resilience of democracies worldwide. Hybrid threats are a danger for the future of our democracies. We need to pool our resources, streamline our efforts and apply multi-stakeholder approaches to combat those challenges. We should also build on some of the few existing examples of dealing with those challenges. The promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law remains one of the core pillars of United Nations values and action.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In that context, the serious situations in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan, as well as the complexities of the Middle East and the grave situations in parts of Africa, deserve our full attention and effective diplomacy. Yet another challenge facing us today is mass migration. We have been on its front lines for years now and have experienced its impacts at first hand. The migration crisis also serves as a warning to us that we cannot operate in a vacuum. Its duration shows that we cannot rely on the snooze button. Through the United Nations and other regional organizations, we should join our efforts, while through strategic vision, cooperation mechanisms and initiatives we should address the underlying causes, filter out the positive aspects of migration flows and turn the crisis into an opportunity.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“That compromise has opened the gates for my country and people to reach their long-term goals of becoming a member of NATO and the European Union. On the issue of our NATO membership, we expect to become its thirtieth member in the very near future. I remain confident that the substantial progress we have made on reforms at home, as well as the resolution of outstanding issues with our neighbours, are strong arguments in favour of the European Union opening accession negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia. My country is an active partner in the international anti-terrorism coalition and will continue to contribute to the multilateral efforts aimed at combating terrorism and all its related ills. We commend the Secretary-General’s work and commitment in that area; he deserves our full support.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We signed the agreement in June 2018 and it entered into force on 14 February. Reaching that milestone required good faith and above all vision; it also required diplomacy, resilience and mutual trust. The agreement aims to overcome a history of distrust and a difficult relationship by establishing the foundations of a new era — one of friendship and future partnership. We decided to abandon the trenches of the past and turn to new bright perspectives and progress through partnership and collaborative solutions. Our success was not guaranteed. We made it happen together with our Greek colleagues. That is a milestone that should serve as a catalyst for the transformative processes in the Balkans. It can also serve as an example for overcoming difficult deadlocks worldwide.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The Government of North Macedonia is fully committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda and is working on the integration of the SDGs into its national strategic documents and local plans. The report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization (A/74/1) outlined the state of affairs in the world and United Nations efforts in that context, providing a clear picture of the successes and failures, as well as the primary concerns and the way forward. The Prespa agreement concluded between my country, now known as North Macedonia, and Greece, is one of the bright spots of the recent past that was rightly mentioned by the Secretary-General. Two years ago, I declared before the Assembly (see A/72/PV.17) our determination to find a solution with Greece over the so-called name issue.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The Republic of North Macedonia has increased its national contributions to the Paris Agreement and has incorporated them as targets in national laws and policies. On a related issue, we have also debated and are implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are essential to genuine changes and a sustainable future for all. Achieving the goals of eliminating poverty, as well as reducing inequality and the negative impact of climate change and environmental degradation and all the other important goals and targets, which are all cross-cutting and interlinked, provides vast opportunities for countries and international organizations to act to secure the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Earlier this week, we discussed the urgency of fully implementing our commitments to mitigating climate change. The Climate Action Summit, organized by the Secretary-General on the theme “A race we can win: a race we must win”, has provided us with the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, expand our ambitions and recognize the impact of climate change on the security and stability of the world and its devastating consequences for human beings. It also provided an opportunity to mobilize the energy of different stakeholders in the climate change arena and to recognize that our undertaking is of a global nature. But what we all do at home is crucial to our success. In that regard, the nationally determined contributions are key to accelerated climate action.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“A rules-based international order and effective multilateralism, with the central role of the strong and action-oriented United Nations, are necessary in a world of daily uncertainties. Responsible governance, whether at home or in international organizations, requires new skills, as well as multifaceted and diverse, but also bold, approaches and solutions, established on the strong observance of the principles and norms upon which we agreed. The world continues to struggle with phenomena that transcend borders, which are clearly beyond our individual control. In August, for the first time in its history, Iceland lost a glacier to climate change. A bronze plaque was mounted on a rock in Iceland to commemorate a once seemingly eternal glacier that had been lost to global warming. That should be a global warning for all of us.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“It is an instrumental example for the settlement of many other unresolved issues. All problems throughout the world are different and have their specific features, yet dialogue and diplomacy are still the best approaches to their settlement. As leaders of our countries, we owe it to our citizens to work to resolve problems, to maintain peace and to create conditions for development and a better life for all. I have the honour to address this important body at a time when it is of great importance to reunite in confronting the present and emerging challenges and to recommit to our common values — peace, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and sustainable development. The world is at a crossroads. We therefore need a stronger United Nations to stand and deliver for all and to leave no one behind.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We now have exceptionally good relations with Greece. Our bilateral cooperation has advanced. We have therefore contributed to regional stability and to encouraging the development of the Western Balkans. The Prespa agreement, along with the treaty of friendship with Bulgaria, has accelerated our NATO integration and has helped to eliminate the greatest obstacles towards our European Union accession. Here I would like to underline our appreciation to the United Nations for the support throughout the settlement process, embodied in the 20-year dedicated and unselfish work and efforts of the Personal Envoy of Secretary-General, Mr. Matthew Nimetz, who worked closely with us to find a solution. We believe that the Prespa agreement is a demonstration of the power of diplomacy and dialogue.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“My country has been a Member of the United Nations since 1993. Yet today I address the General Assembly for the first time as the representative of the Republic of North Macedonia. The Prespa agreement entered into force this year, thereby settling a 27-year difference with Greece. That bilateral difference had serious negative implications, in both regional and multilateral settings, becoming regretfully infamous as a difficult and irresolvable problem. However, today we can see nothing but benefits from settling the difference. We finally have a complete country profile at the United Nations. The name of our country, the Republic of North Macedonia, is followed by the name of our Macedonian language, while the nationality section reads Macedonian/ citizen of the Republic of North Macedonia.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The world can be a very noisy place, but the most important things can be very quiet. I believe that if we listen to our peoples, we can hear the world. In conclusion, I want to underline that the Republic of Macedonia remains a staunch supporter of multilateralism. We will continue to work with the United Nations and all Member States on jointly reinforcing world peace and security, promoting human rights, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and dealing with all the other issues that are crucial for the people we represent.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I firmly believe that we must seize the momentum, conduct discussions in good faith and resolve the issue for our shared future. We greatly value the continuing efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Matthew Nimetz, and the good offices that he provides to that end. I firmly believe that there is a way to overcome the problem that Greece has with our constitutional name. For a change, let us try to approach it from a positive point of view. Maintaining good neighbourly and friendly relations is a two-way street. We are committed to doing our job and expect the same of our neighbours. That message has already been clearly sent to our friends and partners. I would like to reaffirm it here, from the rostrum, where all of us have been recalling the purposes and principals of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“That represents a joint success for the two countries. This session of the General Assembly represents the twenty-fifth year of our participation as an independent State. Next year, we will mark a quarter- century of our United Nations membership. However, that anniversary is also marked by the dispute over how my country should be referred to, which has unilateral consequences on our development and perspectives. The Interim Accord of 1995 laid the foundations for a normalization of relations between Macedonia and Greece. At present, the two countries are implementing confidence-building measures, and that is a very positive development. We have a fresh impetus to overcome the long-standing bilateral dispute. I would say that we have both made certain mistakes at various times, but the main goal now is to resolve the issue and close it.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I strongly believe that we have a new chance to make a change, not just in perceptions but in substance. Over the past few months, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has strongly promoted a new approach to its neighbours. We have demonstrated the capacity to overcome open issues. We have articulated our national interests and acted in pursuit of them. At the same time, we have been fully aware and respectful of the national interests of our neighbours. Our policy is based on solving issues through dialogue and cooperation. We hope that that approach will inspire others and stimulate a new approach to bilateral relations in our region. As a positive step forward, let me underscore our signing of a bilateral agreement on friendship, good-neighbourliness and cooperation with Bulgaria.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Our understanding is that democracy must be driven by civic engagement from the bottom up. Societies are better off when decision-making is comprehensive, inclusive and transparent. Public policies must work for citizens’ well-being. My Government has laid out an ambitious reform plan with short-, medium- and long-term measures. Our goal is to restore democracy, build professional and independent institutions and improve the standard of living for every citizen, and to expedite the integration of the Republic of Macedonia into the European Union and NATO. From the depths of a political crisis we have emerged stronger, and we have been able to contribute to regional stability and cooperation. Those who know Balkan history know that our region has not always been seen in a positive light.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We expect an outcome that will address all aspects of these global phenomena. Let me remind everyone that in the past couple of years, hundreds of thousands of migrants have transited through my country and the region. Even though that presented complex challenges, we managed to provide humanitarian assistance to the people in need. Since we have to adapt globally, we must also do our homework and act as responsible Governments in order to secure and provide a better future and prosperity for our people. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia affirms its dedication to fundamental democratic values, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights. We overcame a deep political and institutional crisis through our resolute stand in defence of those fundamentals.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“At the national level, our efforts to transform agreed goals into practice are included in the new United Nations Development Assistance Framework programme, the 2016-2020 United Nations Partnership for Sustainable Development. Here I would like to mention to last year’s important summit on the issue of large-scale movements of refugees and migrants. That is a global phenomenon with various causes and diverse implications. The United Nations adopted a comprehensive political declaration and pledged to intensify international cooperation, in particular among countries of origin or nationality, transit and destination. The Republic of Macedonia supports and is participating in the ongoing consultation processes on the two compacts dealing with refugees and migrants.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“States must remain focused on the implementation of the new sustainable development agenda that we agreed on at the seventieth anniversary of our Organization. That remarkable undertaking laid the foundations for the future development framework. That had implications for many other important areas of common concern. Many vital issues affecting global prosperity are related to the implementation of that agenda. It is therefore important to continue to encourage and build new avenues of cooperation and new partnerships among us. That is central to the integration of the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability. Those are the fundamentals for development and a hopeful future, as well as for our peace, stability and security.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In that regard, let me underline that we are deeply alarmed by the continued unilateral actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which has been conducting nuclear tests and missile launches despite the repeated calls of the international community to fully comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions. We believe that the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is possible, and we therefore urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to immediately abandon its nuclear and missile programmes and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Let me comment briefly on the main theme of the current session of the General Assembly, “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet”.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The establishment of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, in which one of the priority areas is prevention, was a welcome step. For our part, we are also working on a national strategy for the prevention of violent extremism and radicalization. I am aware that there are differing approaches to those crucial issues, as we have divergent views among us. However, I would like to urge the international community not to focus on its differences, but rather on its primary responsibility to act robustly for the common good. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery continues to jeopardize global security. The implementation of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) is key to minimizing the possible disastrous consequences for the generations to come.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“That is a harsh reminder that our planet is changing, and we all have an obligation to do our best to mitigate and hopefully reverse the consequences. We can progress if we are united. The promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law must remain at the core of our action. Despite the fact that the United Nations has a robust human rights architecture, the current blatant human rights violations, widespread impunity and lack of accountability around the globe remind us that there is much to be done. Monstrous terrorist attacks have increased in number. Our actions must focus on preventing violent extremism and radicalization, as they are major factors for terrorist recruitment.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We must be vigilant and constant, but also seek to develop innovative and adaptable conflict prevention, sustainable development and management reform mechanisms, while building on the foundations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and other core documents. The world is plagued by severe humanitarian crises, new and protracted old conflicts, the intensification of terrorist attacks and violent extremism, human rights abuses and increasing climate-change effects. Different in scope and weight, those challenges have become more complex. They require a wide-ranging response. While we have been able to mitigate the consequences for some, others remain unabated. Just a few weeks ago, we witnessed devastating natural disasters in the Gulf of Mexico and South Asia.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“It is a friend to all its neighbours and is firmly oriented towards full integration into NATO and the European Union. As Head of the Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia, I want to congratulate His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajčák of the Slovak Republic on his election to the prestigious position of President of the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. I would also like to express our full support to Secretary-General Guterres. We wish him great success in carrying out his comprehensive, ambitious and much-needed agenda to transform and adapt the United Nations to enable it to meet its demanding tasks and our common challenges, both existing and emerging. The United Nations must continue to do more and better to meet those challenges and stand the test of time.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“It is an honour for me to address the Assembly and to share the Republic of Macedonia’s positions on the most important issues on the United Nations agenda. I firmly believe that we share the common goal of world peace. I also believe that we share the same commitments to a decent life for all in a sustainable environment and, further, that we will find common solutions to our common challenges. Peace, commitment to a decent life, and joint solutions are the values that the Republic of Macedonia has relied on in overcoming a deep political crisis that had repercussions throughout our region. We are a small, diverse countryy. We have managed to overcome difficult challenges because we have united around common values. That is why today the Republic of Macedonia is again free, secure and stable.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)