Buckovski-Albright Meeting: Macedonia - Successful Multiethnic Society Story

Vlado Buckovski, Prime Minister of Macedonia, met yesterday, July 7, with Madeleine Albright, the President of the National Democratic Institute NDI and former US Secretary of State. Albright and Buckovski met in Skopje Buckovski and Albright discussed the started reforms in Macedonia, the preparations for the countries NATO membership, the expectations of the countries of the Adriatic Group to receive an invitation for full membership into NATO in 2006, as well as the Macedonian-US strategic partnership, the current situation in the region and the coming negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina on the final status of Kosovo. "The Republic of Macedonia is an excellent leader in the region and is a successful example of functioning of multiethnic society ", said Albright. Buckovski and Albright jointly estimated that Macedonia has achieved an important levels of political and security stability, and Buckovski emphasized that the Government is now almost completely focused on the economic stability of the country, which has already reflected in the improved business climate in Macedonia. The Prime Minister added that Macedonia is in constant communication with Belgrade and Pristina. He reemphasized Macedonian position that any agreement reached by Belgrade and Pristina on the eventual final status for Kosovo will have to take into account the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Macedonia. Buckovski and Albright also agreed that the NDI should get more actively involved in the preparation of the new electoral legislation in Macedonia. Buckovski expressed his satisfaction with the past cooperation of Macedonian institutions with NDI.