MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN No. 62 - missions.gov.mk

DYNAMIC LIFE IN BRUSSELS
Brussels, known as the heart of the European
Union, conjures up in one’s mind an image of
diversity, of unification and of creation of key
policies and discussions, in which, directly or
indirectly, everyone is entitled to offer or ask
for something.
In the European capital, a small piece
of the European puzzle is the Mission of
the Republic of Macedonia to the European
Union, which, in its own unambiguous way,
pursuing the interests of its country, plays a
role on Macedonia’s path of EU integration.
The objective of the Republic of Macedonia
in its relations with the European Union is
opening the deserved accession talks for fullfledged
membership by the end of this year.
However, as it is well known, we are blocked
by a member state. Many EU member states
do not understand the reason and openly
support the policy of enlargement and opening
membership negotiations with Macedonia. However, because of
the unanimous decision-making principle at the Council of the
EU, the possibilities to unblock the process of EU integration have
so far been quite restricted.
In order to make up for the lost time as regards the process
of European integration, the High-Level Accession Dialogue
between the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and
the European Commission has recently been launched and
has been successfully carried out. This political dialogue is not
a substitute for the membership negotiations. It is, however, a
process improving the state of affairs in the areas defined in the
Roadmap for its realization.
The Mission of the Republic of Macedonia to the EU is the venue,
the cornerstone and the home of the Republic of Macedonia in
the heart of Europe, open for cooperation at all times.
It is for this reason that our Mission to Brussels was visited on
frequent occasions in 2012 by Macedonian and foreign entities that
have chosen the relations and process of Macedonia’s integration
into the EU as their future profession and have a desire to learn
more about and gradually get an insight into the workings of
the EU, and then use the acquired knowledge and experience in
A working forum, Investments in Innovations, was held at the
Mission of the Republic of Macedonia to the EU on 20 June, as
part of EU Sustainable Energy Week organized by the European
Commission. The main objective of the forum, opened by Andrej
Lepavcov, Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the EU, was
promoting and presenting regional capacities and potentials for
financing through EU funds and business angels and possibilities
for investments in innovations in small and medium business,
as well as putting the Republic of Macedonia and the Region
on the EU map of international activities in regard to the new
technologies in the sectors of ICT, energy, transport and, especially,
electro mobility.
Bil Pavleski, Minister of Foreign Investments, also addressed
the forum through a video recording.
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MACEDONIAN DIPLOMATIC BULLETIN No. 62 – 2012
FROM THE EMBASSY’S DIARY
establishing a starting base for new ideas and a new approach
toward Macedonia’s full integration into the European family.
Within the framework of the general European policies that
provide daily support for sustainable development, advanced
technologies, innovation and energy efficiency and within the
framework of this structure, the Mission of the Republic of
Macedonia supports all Macedonian entities and authorities
having an interest in continuing along this way and being an
additional force pulling ahead toward the craved goal through
their advanced, productive, innovative and economically feasible
visions and concrete project.
A support for the enthusiasm and energy, brought by Macedonian
visitors in recent months, are also the facilitated conditions for
travel through introducing direct Skopje-Brussels flight services and
the possibility of cheaper plane tickets, backed by the Macedonian
Government. Facilitated mobility helps interested entitles ask direct
questions, get firsthand information and make tangible contribution.
Dr. Andrej LEPAVCOV
Ambassador and Head of Mission of the Republic of
Macedonia to the European Union
WORKING FORUM AT REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA MISSION TO THE EU