Macedonian government promotes European behavior in Balkan region – DM Sekerinska

Thus far the Macedonian government has promoted a kind of different approach to policy-making and a European behavior in the Balkan region, which may also work in the process for settling the name dispute with Greece, Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska says in an interview with Deutsche Welle.

Sekerinska was part of Macedonia’s delegation visiting Germany on February 21.

Nothing could be achieved without optimism, Sekerinska says asked to explain the Macedonian  PM Zoran Zaev’s expectation for the name dispute to be resolved by this July.

‘For us this optimism is a kind of an impetus for launching the reforms at home. The government has ironed the differences with Bulgaria and reached an agreement just two months after taking office. We have promoted a kind of different approach to policy-making and a European behavior in the Balkan region, which may also work in the process for settling the name dispute with Greece,’ Sekerinska says.

The success in resolving the name dispute depends on the governments of both countries, which wish for the matter to be finally settled, she says.

‘Of course, it takes two to tango and the success will depend on the two governments on both sides who want to end this dispute. However, the talks between the two prime ministers gave us hope that the two countries would take advantage of  this possibility, because it is in favor of Macedonia and Greece.

Asked about the level of public optimism about the name row settlement in both countries and the protests in Greece, Sekerisnka says she believes that ‘with each compromise, especially when it comes to compromise between the two countries, some citizens will be dissatisfied’.

‘We will not get applause just because we have solved the problem. Probably the two governments will be criticized. But the role of governments is to solve problems,’ she says.

Macedonia’s accession to  NATO and the European Union is the country’s strategic goal that enjoy the support of all citizens, she says.

Asked why she believes that membership in the EU and NATO will be a force against nationalism, Sekerinska notifies the consequences of Greece’s veto to Macedonia’s NATO membership at the 2008 Alliance’s Summit.

‘After the Greek veto to our NATO membership, the country became more frustrated, isolated, and as there is no vacuum in politics, this the gap was filled up with many things, including nationalism. I do not believe that NATO and the EU can by definition defeat nationalism. And they will not overcome it. But if people are given hope, an opportunity for a stable, more integrated region and continent, given the prospect of economic growth, which usually comes with NATO, EU membership, they will be given the only antidote we can offer on this continent in the fight against nationalism. We saw this as an example in 2005 and 2006 when Macedonia made excellent quick steps towards the EU and the country was a positive example in the Balkans. It works,’ Sekerinska says.

To a question when Macedonia’s EU, NATO membership could become a reality, Sekerinska says that Macedonia hopes for reforms it has already implemented for NATO membership will help the country to get an invitation to that effect this July.

‘The EU is a slow process of course, as it is more comprehensive, diverse and covers many aspects. We are not speculating on dates. We do not set dates, but goals. And our goals are to truly transform the country and overcome some of its weaknesses. So, it is very important for us to return on the EU, NATO track, and then the dates will follow depending on how quickly we transform the country and deliver results,’ Sekerinska says.

Referring to Macedonia’s defense expenditure in line with NATO standards, Sekerinska says the country has adopted a plan to increase its budget.

‘This year we have increased the defense budget by 15%, while at the same time we pledged for an additional increase of 0.2% each year. We have also increased our participation in NATO-led missions, such as the mission in Afghanistan, by 20%, and we continue with the support of the KFOR mission in Kosovo,’ Sekerinska says.