The round table “Macedonia, the region and the Euro - Atlantic Integrations” was organized by the Мinistry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia in the Army Hall in Skopje on 07.03.2012.



This round table had goal to develop the discussion for the Macedonian road to the Euro Atlantic community.
Participants of this round table were the Minister of Defence Dr. Fatmir Besimi, members of the Commission for Defence and Security, former ministers of defence and the ambassadors from NATO countries in the Republic of Macedonia.

The conference was opened by the Minister of Defence, Dr. Fatmir Besimi who welcomed the guests and highlighted the purpose of the even, to discuss the dedication to the defence reforms , the Euro – Atlantic integrations, and our contribution to the stability and security of the Region and the Euro – Atlantic area.

Furthermore, Dr. Besimi was speaking about the perspective of the Republic of Macedonia and confirmed that there is no other alternative to the path towards the integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures other than investing in regional cooperation and fostering good neighborly relations. The other challenge he mentioned was the national defence reforms in conditions of economic crisis and how to face them.

For the membership of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO, the minister said that implies meeting the requirements and interest of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, based on the values of the Alliance and presents a new stimulus for new reforms and modernization in the defence. The continuous participation in peace operations is a strong confirmation of the dedication of the Republic of Macedonia to the Euro – Atlantic aspirations. Dr. Besimi in his speech also stated the fact that membership to NATO and the EU remain the most important foreign political and strategic priority of the Republic of Macedonia.

In the end Dr. Fatmir Besimi once more state his firm believes that Republic of Macedonia soon in the future will become member of the NATO and the EU.

After the opening speech lot of the participants in the round table addressed their opinions on this certain topic. The President of the Euro – Atlantic Council of Macedonia, Mr. Lazar Elenovski emphasized the fact that although Republic of Macedonia fulfilled the criteria for full membership in NATO in 2008, transformation of the armed forces remains unstoppable process which is generated from the new security realities. In light of this, Republic of Macedonia has significant contribution to the regional and global security.

Regarding the region, Mr. Elenovski pointed out that ultimate goal is to establish prosperity and development of the region and that can happen only through full integration to the euro – atlantic structures. Therefore it has to be pointed at the recent agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, which seriously will open the doors for their individual integration and also for overall integration of the region.

Mr. Elenovski finished his speech with the conclusion that euro – atlantic integration does not finishes with membership in the NATO and the EU, but will continue with the integration of the society through the implementation of the so called mutual values of the allies and the civilization values and standards of the free democratic world.