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Sun, Nov 22 2009
Macedonia’s message on relations with Kosovo
Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski
Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski has called for a focus on "good neighbourly relations" after reports that Skopje’s decision not to receive Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu with state ceremony angered Pristina, leading to reports that the move could raise inter-ethnic tensions in Macedonia and see Skopje revoke its recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
The saga began when Sejdiu, while officially said to have been invited to attend the May 2009 inauguration of Macedonian president Gjorge Ivanov, was privately asked not to come. This was done, according to reports at the time, not to alienate Serbia which refuses to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.
Plans were for Sejdiu to make a separate visit to Macedonia, but when it emerged that he would not be received with formal state ceremony, Pristina announced that the visit would not go ahead.
On May 28, the Macedonian government issued a statement saying that it regretted Pristina’s decision to cancel the Sejdiu visit and expressing hoped that it would not affect relations between the two states.
Skopje said that it hoped that a meeting between the two presidents would take place soon.
"Macedonia was the first country to demonstrate understanding for the Ahtisaari plan for final solution of the Kosovo's status, which resulted later on in recognition of the Kosovo's independence through a procedure of approval by most of the political parties in Macedonia," the Macedonian government said.
On June 1, in an article in Pristina-based Koha Ditore, Janusz Bugajski of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said that the episode could lead to an increase in inter-ethnic tensions in Macedonia.
Macedonian has an Albanian ethnic population, the presence of which is a continuing theme in domestic political life.
If the decision not to receive Sejdiu with state ceremony "was chosen as a way to appease Belgrade at Kosovo’s expense, this can lead to the collapse of the current ruling coalition VMRO-DPMNE – Democratic Union for Integration," Bugajski said.
Bugajski and pro-government daily Vecer said that the cooling of tensions could worsen to the point that Macedonia withdrew recognition of Kosovo.
On June 2, the Macedonian International News Agency (MINA) quoted Gruevski as saying that gaining political points at the expense of good neighbourly relations would not take the region in the right direction.
"I think it would be good if we focused on good neighborly relations. I don't know what was Sejdiu's idea, but in general, I would like to urge all regional leaders to behave in a correct and responsible manner, so that we avoid situations when we collect domestic points on the account of bilateral relations and regional co-operation," MINA quoted Gruevski as saying.
The saga began when Sejdiu, while officially said to have been invited to attend the May 2009 inauguration of Macedonian president Gjorge Ivanov, was privately asked not to come. This was done, according to reports at the time, not to alienate Serbia which refuses to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.
Plans were for Sejdiu to make a separate visit to Macedonia, but when it emerged that he would not be received with formal state ceremony, Pristina announced that the visit would not go ahead.
On May 28, the Macedonian government issued a statement saying that it regretted Pristina’s decision to cancel the Sejdiu visit and expressing hoped that it would not affect relations between the two states.
Skopje said that it hoped that a meeting between the two presidents would take place soon.
"Macedonia was the first country to demonstrate understanding for the Ahtisaari plan for final solution of the Kosovo's status, which resulted later on in recognition of the Kosovo's independence through a procedure of approval by most of the political parties in Macedonia," the Macedonian government said.
On June 1, in an article in Pristina-based Koha Ditore, Janusz Bugajski of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said that the episode could lead to an increase in inter-ethnic tensions in Macedonia.
Macedonian has an Albanian ethnic population, the presence of which is a continuing theme in domestic political life.
If the decision not to receive Sejdiu with state ceremony "was chosen as a way to appease Belgrade at Kosovo’s expense, this can lead to the collapse of the current ruling coalition VMRO-DPMNE – Democratic Union for Integration," Bugajski said.
Bugajski and pro-government daily Vecer said that the cooling of tensions could worsen to the point that Macedonia withdrew recognition of Kosovo.
On June 2, the Macedonian International News Agency (MINA) quoted Gruevski as saying that gaining political points at the expense of good neighbourly relations would not take the region in the right direction.
"I think it would be good if we focused on good neighborly relations. I don't know what was Sejdiu's idea, but in general, I would like to urge all regional leaders to behave in a correct and responsible manner, so that we avoid situations when we collect domestic points on the account of bilateral relations and regional co-operation," MINA quoted Gruevski as saying.
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Macedonia says it will not revoke recognition of Kosovo
Macedonian minister says that once border question is resolved, it is hoped to establish diplomatic relations. Statement ends speculation that withdrawal of recognition would follow spat over cancelled visit by Kosovo president.
Ahtisaari to visit Kosovo
Nobel Peace Prize winner and former envoy on Kosovo invited for visit on June 15 for celebrations of first anniversary of constitution.
Kosovo again bars Serbian minister from entry
Serbia’s minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic and a presidential adviser prevented from entering Kosovo in an incident similar to one in February 2009.
Recognising Kosovo not a precondition for EU membership, Sarkozy tells Tadic
Serbian president Tadic says that Belgrade will not accept recognition of Kosovo as a precondition for EU accession; Sarkozy tells Tadic to work with Kosovo but that no one expects Serbia to recognise it to gain EU membership.
Kosovo president cancels official visit to Macedonia
Fatmir Sejdiu, who reportedly was not at Macedonian president’s inauguration so as not to offend the president of Serbia, withdraws from visit because status of the event was downgraded, reports say.
Serbia and Kosovo welcome OIC resolution
Resolution by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference satisfies Belgrade by not calling for further recognitions of Kosovo’s independence, while Pristina says that it will indeed pave the way for future recognitions.
The fortunes of Kosovo
Whatever psychological boost may be represented by the IMF admitting Kosovo, and some cheerleading from Joe Biden, Serbia shows its determination to harry the breakaway state on all fronts
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This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained .
Look how it looks like? He can't be an heritor of Alexander. He looks like more like a Turk.
to melbvi...
"...without the americans you were nothing in 2001. I was there with a gun.Where were you? Hiding behind the CNN cameras..you muppet.We would have taken care of you...dont worry about that"
What happened to you and your gun when NATO came in?
You see, it's really easy to be brave when you have a gun and the people in front of you are womwn and children. The fact that you admit that you were there with a gun is proof of your cowardice. Why didn't you stay there when NATO came in? After all you had your gun, no?
NATO realized that the bacteria eatin away the entire balkan had to be eliminated. and just like you take an antibiotic for the bacteria, few sorties took care of you. You pretending to be brave with a group of feeble Albanians is the same as American claiming victory over feeble servs. Not right, but something had to be done. The serbs started with the Slovenes, Croats, Bosnians, Albanians...The Desease (servs) had to be stopped or they were going to move to Macedonia next and possibly suck in the greeks and the Turks and the entire region would have been in flames.
Makedonec:
Bravo from me as well!
Only in learning that we are all interconected and have been for centuries and practicing not only tolerance but true appreciation and even love for our neighbours that we can be truly FREE!
I know it's hard to do when there are rotten apples among all sides but this is THE ONLY WAY! Live it or PERISH!
For the sake of all, I hope we choose to LIVE this righteous walk and achieve PEACE!
to Makedonec
Bravo, the most optimistic, positive post i have ever read here.
Despite of everyday petty arguments between politicians - the Macedonians and ALbanians will still find common ground to live on. The Republic of Macedonia is a multiethnic state - unlike some surrounding countries where your existence is denied. Don't forget something which is apparent but no one wants to admit: Albanians have always lived in peace with Macedonians, the same way they live in peace with Montenegrans in Montenegro. Elderly people who lived in the west of todays Republic of Macedonia were trilingual only 50 years ago. My grandparents were fluent in Macedonian, Albanian and Turkish and they could always rely on their Albanian and Turkish neighbours. The beauty of the Republic of Macedonia is its melting pot: this is where east and west meet at the cross roads...it'll be all right - you'll see. The Republic is here to stay and become strong (with its diversity...don't let anyone elso instill any other fears in you!!)
MELBICAUS.
Thanks for your prompt reply
with all respect to your views,
PLEASE DO NAME THEIR SOURCES.
your reply confirms your fanatism
though it may not be entirely your
fault.
To the muppet who used my call sign to promote Kosovo...without the americans you were nothing in 2001. I was there with a gun.Where were you? Hiding behind the CNN cameras..you muppet.We would have taken care of you...dont worry about that. To Aries....Athens was a swamp with 6000 albanians back in 1821 when you became a country. Dont get carried away with your historical distortion.The Macedonians are in your backyard...you just keep denying their existence.It will help you sleep at night.
Melbvicaus
Another diaspora fanatic trying
to proove his support for FYROM
in an odd and irrevalent manner
his mentioning of 1948 reveals
a lot.
What's wrong with donkeys? But what's wrong with a third of your country populated by Albanians? I tell you what's wrong, Greater Albania. Sorry, Skopje is not here for the long run, and if you're going to miss this fascist country so much then I would suggest you buy some postcards and hang them in your room.
Long live Kosova! May Tetovo succeed in it's struggle for independence!
To zk thracian...calm your hatred down. he country you refer to is the Republic of Mcedoniaa nd whilst the hate mongers in Athens wuld like to tsee it disappear I can assure you that Macedonia is here for the long run. If it wasnt fo the Marshall aid plan in 1948,membership to the EU which affords handsome monetary handouts to the weakest economy in the EU,free arms from their NATO partners, you still would be riding donkeys beetween Athens and Kalamata.
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Strongheaded
The potential enemy of your enemy
is certainly not you friend
(the Cham issue)
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P Melas, I totally agree with you....it would no surprise me if Serbia is allowed to come all the way down to Greece and thus have access to the ports in Thessaloniki, considering their recent fights with the nations along the Adriatic Sea.
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I think that the second row of creating a greater albania is about to be initiated. Pristina and Tirana fill quite confident of their success so far and the monet has come apparently for Tetovo to take the lead for the creation of Illirida. Western balkans are treated as a european enclave rather than european states themselves so far and the entire situation signals the same.
The name dispute with Greece was another manipulation of the situation orchestred by US and executed by their agents ie Mr Grueski and his political party.
Hence FYR Macedonia was kept outside those structures ie NATO and EU that would render an attempt to split this land in pieces impossible.
But since the tiny banana republic of the GDP USD 9 billion per year took tha nationalisitc bait of Grueski the game remained active and US is about to create a new partition in the balkans : Tetovo and Ohrid region to become part of albania and the rest of the land to become par of Bulgaria. Perhaps a land corridor along E75 might be offered to Serbia as a link with Greece to avoid complications from a potential serbian interferance.
The game is on and one way or another FYR macedonia is going to be the squized party in all this
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Janusz Bugajski carelessly assumes that inter-ethnic tensions will rise when he knows very well that Macedonia's political elites will never allow it to accumulate to any level nearing tension.
With an Albanian minority that is significant and influential in approx a third of this tiny country, Macedonia cannot and will not let herself fall vistim to another senseless conflict.
However, if Kosova is being used as a pawn to appease Belgrade, then it is Skopje that is playing Russian Roulette with her destiny.
And for those bloggers that distinguish between state and non-state, regardless of the ruling at the ICJ, the decision will be non-binding (hence it means nothing) and Kosova's status is irreverseable.
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The game will end soon, and only one will be the winner?, and Fyrom will be split in to three pices,
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Dr Cornelius
Quelle decadence!!! if that happens regarding France
I can see know and also recall from other post an awkward stance towards France.
How come.
This is getting into a very bad-tempered site with no constructive input from anybody (except Peggy). Can we all please stop all talk of invasions and ethnic tensions leading to it (Do not forget that 4 out of the 5 members of the UN Security Council have recognised Macedonia already, and the fifth one (France) can probably be bought off with some petro-dollars deal.)
As for Kosovo, we all wish it well, but it might be nice if it developed some non-threatening manners for once. (Peggy - I have a very good recent UN study off-line about the Kanun of Lek and its negative impact on womens' rights in Albania and Kosovo, also (I fear) part of Macedonia too.)
FYROM just shot themselves in the foot with their diplomatic slight against Kosovo, and it will cost them their "statehood".
The establishemnt of Kosovo was to ease Albania's movemnt towards the west of FYROM/skopje. In this whole region you will find a Albanian "minority" that constitutes 35% of the FYROM population that have loyalty to Kosovo and Albania.
These people inhabit the region that goes right to Skopje....as a result, FYROM will be forced to be partitioned between Albania-Kosovo, Serbia (hence FYROM trying to smooth over relations with Belgrade) and Bulgaria (the other dominant population/language in the region).
This just might be the first time in post WWII era where a seat sitting member of a world body (UN) is going to get partioned by its three neighbours (Serbia, Albania and Bulgaria)
1) 60 countries which have recognised Kosovo are important countries like 81.5% of EU, 87.5% of G8 and 85.7% of NATO (and many others are preparing to recognise. Last time I checked Macedonia is drooling to enter those organisations (except for G8 of course)
2) Macedonia (or should I say FYROM), should not forget that 35% of its population is albanian. So it is in its interest NOT to offend its citizens if it wants to EXIST.
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In Macedonia, according to its official 2002 population census, Albanians account for about a quarter of the total population which has very close ties to Kosovo Albanians. Thus it is in the interest of Macedonia to develop healthy neighbourhood relations with Kosovo and others. Macedonian politicians would better be more modest in their deals with their neighbours. Its church is not recognised by Serbia, its language by Bulgaria and its name by Greece.
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Watcher, watch your language. It shows the level of your intelligence and manners.
Macedonia is a state but Kosovo is NOT. Only a handful of countries have recognized you, so you better get THAT into YOUR head. 60 countries is a drop in the ocean compared to how many out there don't have intentions of recognizing your illegal and corrupt "country".
As far as most of the world, your "president" is a forest guard and not a president.
Now I'm sure you will find that hard to swollow but tough.
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