Wednesday, June 24, 2020
ADDRESS OF MR. GORAN MISOVSKI, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY, ON THE TOPIC “Prospects of regional cooperation in the post-pandemic era: time for a greater integration?”
> Seventh Plenary Session of SEECP PA, Pristina, 19 - 24 June 2020 <
Dear Ms. Osmani,
Dear colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me, on behalf of the President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi, as well as on my own behalf, to express how pleased I am to be part of the seventh plenary session of the SEECP PA, which is being held for the first time in this unusual, virtual way, but, certainly in line with the conditions imposed by the global threat called COVID-19, and of course, we are adjusting. At the same time, I would like to express my congratulations to the Chair of this session, the distinguished Ms. Osmani, to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and the Secretariat who organised this session impeccably, establishing new ways of communication, sharing views, opinions, giving suggestions and of course voting on the final document, the joint Declaration.
Dear friends,
All of us, the states that are part of this important forum – which since its foundation has aimed to strengthen the good neighbourly relations between all countries in Southeast Europe, whereby we mutually help each other to make this region grow into a region of peace, security, stability and cooperation – we all have one and only goal, that is, full integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Of course, the only and most effective way to achieve this goal is to build honest, transparent and intensive relations on a regular basis, and to make the best use of all the mechanisms available to overcome the smaller, the bigger, the new and the long lasting disputes. Because, in order to find mutually acceptable solutions, it is essential that there is sincere will and desire to achieve it, while it is not measured how much one has gained or how much one has lost. At the end of the day, we, our children, our citizens who live with the consequences of our good or bad decisions, are both winners and losers.
The Republic of North Macedonia remains an active and constructive partner in regional cooperation and we are strongly committed to promoting the principles of good neighbourliness in the region. We are committed to deepening regional cooperation through enhanced participation and influence in regional initiatives, such as the South East European Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, CEFTA, the Energy Community, the Central European Initiative, the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative, RECOM, RYCO, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo-Brioni Process, and others. I believe you agree with me that North Macedonia is a great example of what and how much can be achieved if there is strong will and a clear vision. The two agreements we signed with our neighbours, the Republic of Bulgaria and the Hellenic Republic, have already yielded the first tangible results. We are already the 30th full member of the NATO military-political alliance, where even before we became a member, we contributed with all our capacity to achieve and maintain peace in the world. From now on, we will be doing so with a much bigger enthusiasm. In terms of the European Union, we have worked diligently and seriously, and we have the overwhelming support of our international friends, so we hope for a positive outcome in the near future. All this is the result of an open and direct dialogue with an open mind and a transparent goal - economic prosperity and a better quality of life for our citizens and the future of our countries and the region.
Dear friends,
Unfortunately, the focus in the recent months, and it seems in the coming as well, will be on something that is perhaps the most vulnerable and something before which we are most helpless, that is, our health, the health of our citizens and the economies. We are aware that the global health and social challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic are a global threat that has hung over the entire planet Earth, attacking both small and large states, both countries with strong and weak economies and health systems. At the same time, it imposes conditions of physical distance, although we as human beings are accustomed to being close, to feel the warm support offered by a good neighbour, a heartfelt friend and a sincere co-worker. However, we will succeed because we have this great platform for regional cooperation, the SEECP Parliamentary Assembly, which relies on the pillars of regional ownership, inclusiveness and mutual respect and is an excellent forum for exchange of views and constructive dialogue, and I know that through a multinational effort to address this pandemic we shall all work together to give our best to alleviate its negative impact on the people and the economy, and we will be in solidarity with the families of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am convinced that we all think the same, that we need a coordinated, courageous response of protection by sharing experiences and knowledge.
Dear colleagues,
I would like to emphasise that all of us who are in a position and have the power to make a difference, at the same time have a duty to promote the interests of our countries and our citizens by advancing good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation because, as the President of the World Health Organisation said, I quote:
"No one is safe until we are all safe!".
Thank you for your attention.
DECLARATION