"Newspaper column" by Mr. Solana and Mr. Rehn

Some days ago, Mr. Solana and Mr. Rehn made a very unusual thing - they co-authored a "newspaper column" in a Macedonian daily (Dnevnik) in regard to the EU/US campaign to make Macedonian government accept the unacceptable - to voluntarily give up the name of the country and the Macedonian nation/language/etc. It’s such a “masterpiece” that I could not resist the temptation to share it with you. I am myself a columnist but so far I haven’t been aware that writing columns can be an appropriate means for diplomats –public opinion makers too ;-)

As you will see for yourself, these idiots (sorry for the rhetoric) believe that the public opinion will be positive or even enthusiastic to this kind of “encouragement”, in which they write about “your country” not a single one mentioning the name Macedonia, where the stick is more visible than the carrot, and where they even don’t tell the truth (regarding the international legal means for resolving differences as not being part of the European tradition!). Is this a mafia-type proposal or just an ordinary blackmail?

Here it is:

Javier Solana and Oli Rehn
(newspaper column, published in the daily Dnevnik, 27 November 2009)

IT IS TIME FOR STATESMANSHIP!

We appeal to you to use the momentum in order to resolve the name issue and to make 2009 a year of progress, and if the chance is lost then we cannot be sure when or how the accession process of your country is going to be back on the agenda.

In today’s world, the membership in EU and NATO provides a robust framework that guarantees long-term stability, prosperity and security. The membership is a strategic priority of your country, because in great extent it is going to facilitate achievement of all the other aims in the political, economic and social sphere.

In the last 12 months your country has accelerated the speed of the Euro-integration process. Actually, she was an example for all the others in the region that want to advance their own accession process. Your achievements have sent a very powerful message: concrete steps produce real results.

With regard to the visa regime, you have been fully engaged in the process of meeting the guidelines and the European Commission recommended its abolishment. You have implemented the Agreement for stabilization and association and the Commission proposed moving into the next stage. Finally, in a manner typical for statesmen, you have managed to mobilize the resources and political energy that are necessary for the profess of meeting the EU criteria, devoting yourselves on key priorities of the accession partnership. This impressive effort enabled the Commission in October to conclude that the country had sufficiently met the political criteria and to recommend opening of the negotiation process.

Good neighbourly relations remain in the centre of our policy towards the region. No doubt, your country have played a positive role regarding Kosovo. Since adoption of the October report of the Commission, you have also successfully completed the demarcation of the border with Kosovo and have established full diplomatic relations. Having done that, you are going to be the first state in the region with no open border issues.

Unfortunately, the relations between Greece and your country remain disturbed by the unresolved issue over the name. After 15 years of negotiations under the mediation of the UN, we believe that now is the best chance that one generation have to resolve the problem for the sake of the wellbeing of both countries and for the stability and prosperity of the region.

From this very moment till the European council session on 10-11 December, which may make decision on the next steps in the enlargement process, there is a “window of opportunity” for resolving this problem or for setting a ground for a solution. For years, the positions and possible solutions have been considered by both sides. Nevertheless, the political circumstances have rarely been favourable for making that final mile and to find that hard, but mutually acceptable solutions. Now, both countries have strong governments with clear majority and with new mandates. Furthermore, the EC’s recommendation to open the membership negotiation process should assist both governments to focus on reaching solutions. We may expect that the progress over the name issue will play crucial role in opening the path towards the positive outcome at the December summit. And vice versa, of this chance is lost, we cannot be sure when and how the accession process of your country is going to be set back on the agenda.

Therefore, the meeting between the prime ministers Gruevski and Papandreu that took place on 29 October in Brussels and that opened the way towards one more direct meeting today (27 November), has been a very important initiative. We welcome direct meetings and discussions because a solution might be found only through the leadership on a highest level. Direct, concrete discussions between the sides are clear demonstration of their commitment for confidence building and problem solving.

In fact, the essential part of the European vocation is the capacity for resolving differences through dialogue.

Submitting a dispute before international legal bodies is not a tradition among European partners.

While mediators may only mediate and negotiators only negotiate, it is the leaders who can make decisions. In the international affairs there are moments when, with determinate action based on a clear vision, the course of history can be altered. Now is the moment to overcome the obstacle that has been on your way in the last 15 years. This is precisely one of those historical moments when an act of statesmanship could become an example for the whole region.

The final reward for these efforst is clear: membership into the Euro-Atlantic family of democractic nations and strengthened integration of the Balkan region.

This year the region is on the move. Croatia makes progress in the negotiation process with EU, and together with Albania, has joined NATO. Montenegro and Albania applied for EU membership.

AS a whole, 2009 has already been productive year for your country. Thanks to the efforts of the Government, all political forces and the civil society, and on the ground of achieved results, the EC was in a position to present proposals in your favour.

As friends of your country, who have been supporting you at times when you were facing problems and when you were successful, we appeal to you to use the moment in order to resolve the name issue and to make 2009 - a year of progress. If you do so, you will have our whole support in speeding up the process of getting membership both in EU and NATO.