The visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen to Skopje is a visit to a model student in the Balkans. Model student and example of what it means to live together in linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity. Christian Orthodox Macedonians and Muslim Albanians live together on an equal footing. And soon the same will apply to the Bulgarians in the country. Hopefully.
When you think of the ethnic and religious tensions that otherwise exist in the Western Balkans – between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, for example, or between Serbs, Bosnians and Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are only too happy to scratch each other’s eyes – then that’s almost borderline of a miracle.
government quota system
Albanians are represented in every government in North Macedonia according to quota regulations, they have their own schools and universities and of course bilingual place name signs. If you look at the Carinthian Slovenes, you know how difficult such agreements can be. Macedonians and Albanians have found a way together after a short civil war – even as they compete with each other in a race to build churches and mosques.
The theme of Alexander Van der Bellen’s visit is a rapprochement with the EU. The sun was shining as the Austrian national anthem was played by a military band in the park in front of President Stevo Pendarovski’s official villa. Then of course North Macedonia and some lively marches.
Mind you, the national anthem of North Macedonia, not North Macedonian. The adjective does not officially exist. Everyone who uses it gets angry looks. The adjective does not appear in the agreement with the Greeks, who imposed the name North Macedonia on Macedonia in view of their neighboring province of Macedonia as a condition of rapprochement with NATO and the EU. So it doesn’t exist for the Macedonians, along the lines of we changed our name but not our nationality.
Austria as largest foreign investor
The relationship with Bulgaria is just as complicated. Bulgaria makes the recognition of the ethnic Bulgarians in North Macedonia as an equal minority a condition for agreeing to the country’s rapprochement with the EU. Under enormous pressure from the EU, a corresponding compromise was negotiated. In Skopje, however, another constitutional amendment is needed for acceptance. And a majority for this in parliament is not in sight for the time being, because Bulgaria, on the other hand, refuses to recognize the Macedonian minority in its own country. There is still time for an agreement in Skopje until November. And so Federal President Van der Bellen appealed to his interlocutors in North Macedonia: “You have made a difficult but right choice. Your future lies in the EU. You are on the right track. And Austria will support you.”
Political and economic. Austrian companies are already the largest foreign investors in North Macedonia. And if there’s one thing you need in the former poorhouse of Yugoslavia, it’s money. Like the rule of law and a real social security system so that people can see a future for themselves. At the moment there are still many in North Macedonia who think: “We will never get to the EU.”
Even President Pendarovski says: “We are the only state that has changed its name. And we are still in the yard for the EU. That shouldn’t be.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
-kBgB--984x468@RC.JPG "Due to a train breakdown, 400 passengers are stuck in the Channel Tunnel for hours")
