1

Contents

Testimonial…………………………………………………….pg. 3

Special Guests…………………………………………………pg. 4-6

H.E. Dr. Pande Lazarevski – Ambassador Extraordinary

and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania

Economic Highlights………………………………………. pg. 7-12

Trade Shows in Macedonia………………………........pg. 13

Focus on Legal Issues……………………………………...pg. 14

Focus on Lifestyle…………………………………………...pg. 15

Cultural Landmarks………………………………….........pg. 16

Focus on Tourist Attractions…………………………….pg. 17

Info Macedonia…………………………………………..…..pg. 18-29

2

TESTIMONIAL As the second edition of the Macedonian Bulletin is ready to meeting its readers, in our turn, we are ready and honored to welcome in these pages the new Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania – dr. Pande Lazarevski. We are confident that the bilateral Romanian-Macedonian relation will continue to develop with better and better results as our mutual interest and involvement is a priority goal, especially that the current global economic environment is such a complex equation. There are still many opportunities to be explored, valorized and capitalized in our bilateral relation, that is why we think that our involvement and determination will be really favorable in this common approach. The valuable and solid expertise of His Excellency Mr. Pande Lazarevski, His excellent notoriety as important promoter of the modern concepts in the social and economic Macedonian, regional and international environment are useful premises in order to continue to materialize our bilateral cooperation activity. As for us, The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania, along with Prahova County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we reaffirm our entire cooperation availability, in order to promote, to develop and to valorize as better as possible, the cooperation potential between Romania and the Republic of Macedonia. We know by now, from the very beginning of His Excellency’s diplomatic mission in Romania, that we are having an excellent partner and friend in this ambitious goal. Aurelian GOGULESCU Honorary Consul of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania President of Prahova County Chamber of Commerce and Industry

3

INTERVIEW, Q & A

H.E. Dr. Pande Lazarevski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA TO BUCHAREST

1. What’s Your Excellency’s opinion on Romania? Have you been in Romania before your designation as Ambassador of Macedonia? How would You describe the current bilateral relationship between Macedonia and Romania?

I’ve been in Romania once before, back in 2007, at a NATO-SCEPC Conference. Although back then I did not have the chance to see much of the country, I am truly honoured to have the opportunity to be Ambassador of Macedonia in Romania.

Our bilateral relations are based on solid ground. In the past few years, we have had official visits on the highest levels. In October 2011, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov came in official visit to Romania, and we are expecting a visit of the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Macedonia in the forthcoming period.

Yet, I believe there is potential for greater and more intensive cooperation in almost every field, especially in the field of economy. We need to motivate our business communities to cooperate more closely and use the opportunities provided by the relative closeness of the countries. We also need to foster the cultural cooperation. In 25-28 October this year I plan to organize Days of Macedonian culture in Romania, presenting an opportunity for Romanians to taste Macedonian food and wine, to experience Macedonian art and folklore and to be informed about the Macedonian tourist destinations.

In the field of education, we have many students from Macedonia studying in Romania, and we are looking forward to even stronger and deeper academic cooperation. There are certainly good basis for this, such as the Lectorate for Macedonian language based at the University of Bucharest, with a section in Craiova, and the Lectorate for Romanian language at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje.

4

2. What are the bilateral cooperation areas that have a greater development potential, in Your opinion?

As I mentioned before, I believe there is potential for greater and more intensive cooperation in almost every field, especially in the field of economy and cultural cooperation. In a time when the world is still recovering from the economic and financial crisis, economic cooperation is not only possible, but necessary. For Macedonians, Romania has always been a space for economic progress. A century ago, Macedonians came in Romania as economic immigrants. Today, the descendant of those Macedonians who came as economic immigrants and who in Romania found their second home, today are proud Macedonians and loyal citizens of Romania, and have their own association – the Association of Macedonians in Romania, which is represented by one member in the Parliament of Romania. This would have not been possible without the extraordinary contribution and efforts by the late Liana Dumitrescu, who we remember with great piety as a great champion of Macedonian-Romanian cooperation. The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Ianov decorated her posthumously with a high award for everything she did for the affirmation of Macedonians in Romania.

Today, Macedonia and Romania cooperate on the level of economies. Romania is a great country, with a great potential to become an important investor in Macedonia. Having ten times the population of Macedonia, Romania also possesses a potential to be a major market for Macedonian products, especially food and wine. I strongly believe that this is what we should strive for. There is still room for improvement of the bilateral economic cooperation. I believe we should also think outside the box and see if our business communities can jointly approach third markets, if we can organize joint events and projects.

3. Do You see any similarities between Macedonia and Romania?

The similarities between Macedonia and Romania result from the ties between our two nations and peoples. The spiritual ties that are best reflected through St. Nicodemus of Tismana. Born in Prilep, Macedonia, Nicodemus transferred from Mount Athos the ideals of monastic isihasm in the Romanian lands, and his heritage continues to feed Romanian spiritual culture. As a tireless builder, Nicodemus built monasteries and monastic settlements in Mehedinti, Gorzh, Ardzhesh and Hunedoara, and according to the living tradition it is believed that he was the builder of the monasteries Topolnica and Bistrica.

The links between our countries and peoples are also educational. Romania was the place where numerous Macedonian reformists came, such as Gjorgjia Pulevski, lexicographer, historian, author of the first printed Macedonian grammar book and of one of the first Macedonian dictionaries, a person who was actively involved during his lifetime in the liberation wars of the Macedonian and other Balkan nations. Also, many members of the Macedonian enlightenment came and published in Romania, such as Jordan Hadzi Konstantinov-Dzinot, Rajko Zhinzifov and Parthenius Zografski.

Romania was not only the space of spiritual revival and enlightenment, but of national and political revival of Macedonian people. Thus, for the Macedonians Romania has always been a beacon of freedom, a refuge from slavery and a second home. Romania was a space of freedom-loving people who wanted to achieve freedom.

Macedonia will never forget the support following the declaration of autocephality of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in 1967, when a delegation of three archeries of its Synod were received by the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Justinian, who gave them sacred myrrh.

5

4. Is it Macedonia still – as it was designated 3 years ago by the World Bank - one of the most welcoming countries in terms of facilities provided to the foreign investors?

Thanks to the diligent work, reforms and commitment over the past years we have also become recognized as a good foreign direct investment destination. Macedonia is open for cooperation and has a lot to offer. This is proven by the global rating lists; Macedonian free market guarantees the ownership rights. We have skilled and highly qualified but relatively cheap labour force. As crossroads of Southeast Europe, the location of Macedonia is excellent for transit and distribution of goods. Not to forget the low and flat taxes of 10% and the extremely easy process of registration of companies - in only four hours. However, there is a lot more than that.

We have a low budget deficit of 2.5% of GDP, and as of November, a low level of inflation of 3.2%. The banking system in the country is stable. With debt rate of 30.6%, Macedonia is among the 4 lowest-indebted countries in Europe. According to the index of economic freedom in the world for 2012, we are ranked on the 43rd place, better ranked than seven countries from our region. According to the Forbes Global Ranking for 2012, Macedonia is ranked at the high 37th position in the world according to the category of best country for business. In the last 4 years, through the foreign investments in Macedonia, about 1 billion and 550 million Euros have entered. And, yes, we are the world’s third best reformer.

5. What do You expect - in terms of reinforcement of the bilateral cooperation- from the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Macedonia in Ploiesti, Romania?

It is a great pleasure to emphasize that many of the activities in the field of economic bonding between the two countries are happening thanks to the engagement of the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania, who is also the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Prahova, Mr. Aurelijan Gogulescu. The idea of opening a sale salon in Ploesti with Macedonian products, where, at the same time, the Macedonian tourist offers would be presented, is one of those steps. Worth mentioning is also the idea for establishing a Macedonian cultural center, that could be located in Ploesti, and would realize its programs through Romania. Finally, the intensifying of economic relations between our two countries opens a perspective for establishing a Romanian-Macedonian chamber of commerce.

6. Do You consider certain common actions, activities and events to be organized in partnership – by the Macedonia’s Embassy, by the Honorary Consulate and by Prahova Chamber of Commerce and Industry?

I am already working on bringing Macedonian companies at the fairs in Romania, as well as presence of Romanian companies in Macedonia. With the Honorary Consul and with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Prahova we plan to organize a Romanian-Macedonian Business Forum in October in Ploesti, under the auspices of this Chamber. Also, we plan holding such business forum in Macedonia where Romanian companies will be able to present their programs and business interests.

7. Which is the print that You would like to put on the Macedonia-Romania bilateral relationship, during Your mission as Ambassador in our country?

For Macedonia, Romania is an ally and friend in every aspect. It is a country and people with which we have many spiritual, cultural, economic and political ties. It is a country in which many Macedonians freely declare themselves as Macedonians, and in which the Republic of Macedonia is referred by its constitutional name. My goal is, during my mandate, to visit all areas in Romania, to get in touch with all prefects and mayors, with presidents of business chambers and businessmen, with rectors, professors, but also with church dignitaries from the Romanian Orthodox Church. My goal is to further bring Macedonia closer to them with words but also with numbers, through facts but also traditions, sincerely and friendly, as it is supposed to be between friends.

6

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY - ENERGY DEPARTMENT- Skopje, February 2013

INVESTMENTS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR 1. Policies in the energy department

Energy policy of the Republic of Macedonia is based on three main principles such as security of supply, sustainability and competitiveness, and on three strategic goals such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and protecting the environment or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

With the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, Republic of Macedonia has undertaken commitments in the energy sector specifically relating to the harmonization of national legislation with the European Union, liberalization and market development of electricity and natural gas, as well as integration in the single market the European Union. In this regard, the goal of Macedonia is to create a stable regulatory and market framework which is able to attract investments in the energy sector in order to provide continuous supply of energy as a prerequisite for economic development and social stability.

In preparation for the acceptance and implementation of legislation of the European Union for renewable energy sources in accordance with the methodology of the Energy Community, in national terms is set the target percentage share of renewable energy sources in the total energy consumption and it is 21% by 2020.

In terms of energy efficiency should be possible to reduce energy consumption by 9% compared to the average power consumption in the period 2002-2006. 2. Investments in the energy department In order to establish a modern infrastructure and ensuring security of energy supply are undertaken intensive activities in the construction of facilities for production and transmission of electricity, as well as in the natural gas sector. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY 2.1. HPP Cebren and HPP Galishte

- The Ministry of Enviroment and Physical Planning publish international call for granting Concession for water from Crna River for production of electricity from hydropower plants on Crna River in a joint venture with a public power company, AD "ELEM"

- The Concession , including the (a) exclusive right to design, build, operate and maintain HPP "Cebren" (with indicative minimum total installed capacity between 315MW and 333MW) and HPP "Galiste" (with indicative minimum total installed capacity between 185MW and 197MW) and (b) the exclusive right to operate and maintain the existing HPP "Tikves" (with installed capacity of 116MW) on the conditions specified in the concession contract during the period of fifty-two (52) years, subjectto a water use licence to be delivered by the relevant administrative body; and Establishment of a joint venture with ELEM on the conditions specified in the joint venture contract and transfer of the concession to this newly created joint venture.

- The percentage of shares of ELEM in the share capital of the joint venture shall be determined by the bidder in its bid, provided that it cannot be lower than 39 %.

7

- ELEM's contribution to the capital of the joint venture would include in particular the transfer of the existing HPP "Cebren", HPP "Galiste" and HPP "Tikves" (after its contribution to the joint venture) shall operate as independent electricity producers on the domestic electricity market and on the international electricity market.

- The Conceding Authority has engaged International Finance Corporation (IFC - the World Bank Group) to act as transaction advisor for the Project

- The deadline for bids submission is 15.04.2013.

2.2. Vardar Valley - Vardar Valley project is a v ery complex project and applies technically, water management,

environmental, energy and economic aspects within the global water management system for managing the waters of the Vardar river basin.

- In terms of energy the Project Vardar Valley envisages construction of 12 hydroelectric plants on the river Vardar, which have a total installed capacity of about 320 MW, annual output of about 1050 GWh and total investment value of around 1.5 billion Euros.

- AD ELEM prepared draft pre-feasibility study for the project Vardar Valley. After defining the optimal solution the preparation of a feasibility study for the project will follow.

2.3. Small Hydro Power Plants

- So far the Macedonian Government has signed 70 contracts for granting concession for water for production of electricity from small hydro power plants with 20 concessionaires. The total installed capacity of these small hydro power plants is 60.3 kW, average annual production amounted to 237 GWh while the expected investment are at the level of 120 Million Euro.

- According the Law on Waters the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning is responsible for the procedures for granting concession for water for building small hydro power plants. The procedure is according the Law on Concessions and Public Private Partnership.

- In this moment the Ministry is preparing the procedure and competition for the sixth tender, 30 – 40 locations will be published.

ELEM 3.1 Increasing of the basic capital of the company JSC ELEM

- Government plans activities for attracting investors to increase ELEM’s capital through capitalization, but not exceeding 49% of ELEM’s ownership. Considering that for most of the projects of JSC ELEM which are in progress or planned to begin, are used loans secured by state guarantee, the capitalization will improve the financial condition of the Company which would contribute to reduce government guarantees for financing and investment in the energy sector.

- The idea is the company to be capitalized through entry of private capital and new investments, and the capital value of ELEM would significantly increase. S trategic partner would invest in areas that are priorities for ELEM and thus would significantly increase the capital value of the company, but also a strategic partner will make profits and accordingly to the invested funds will acquire the equity share of the Company.

- In this moment ELEM is on the process of selecting Advisor to provide services in the process of capital increase of the state-owned JSC ELEM – Macedonian Power Plants – Skopje.(www.elem.com.mk)

3.2 HPP Boshkov Most

- HEC Boskov most will be built in the western part of Macedonia along Mala reka. It envisages an installed capacity of 70MW, producing annually about 117,54 GWh and investment value of around 107 million euros.

- JSC ELEM and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in November 2011 signed a loan Agreement, which will provide 65 million euros for implementation of this project. The construction of hydro power plant is planned to begin in 2012.

- On January 13, 2012 ELEM published an announcement for prequalification for the construction of the plant. 16 companies are qualified for second phase.

8

3.3 Accumulation Lukovo Pole

- With the construction of the Accumulation Lukovo Pole in Mavrovo system will be produced annually and will be placed additional consumption of 164 GWh or additional 37% through the already built three hydropower plants.

- The total value of the project is 62.27 million, 9.34 million will be provided from funds of JSC ELEM, while the rest from loan amounting to 52.93 million. ELEM currently is negotiating with the World Bank to provide the loan.

- In August 2012 was signed contract for consulting services for projections and supervision. - ELEM already signed loan agreement for preparation activities regarding technical documentation

as well as for Environmental Social Impact Assessment Study. - Board Approval from the World Bank is expected to be in May 2013. - Singing of Loan Agreement and Agreement for guarantee is expected to be realized in July 2013.

3.4 TE-TO Energy (ENERGETIKA - ELEM)

- The combined power plant is projected to have an installed capacity of 300MW electrical and 150MW of thermal energy, which is forecast to produce approximately 2000 GWh electricity and 320 GWh thermal energy. The investment value is provided at the amount of 300 million Euros.

- This project is planned to be implemented through public-private partnership with JSC ELEM. JSC ELEM will participate in the investment with about 150 million euro.

3.5 Wind Farm Bogdanci - Total investment is estimated on 55,5 million Euro with total installed capacity of 36,8 MW and

average annual production amounted to 100 GWh - The Government approved the loan from KfW Bank for 32,9 MEuro - In December 2012 was signed Agreement for the equipment. - The Agreement for access roads and construction of the Substation and the Interconnection to the

Grid is signed - The Wind Farm Bogdanci should be operational at the mid of 2014.

3.6 TPP Mariovo

- Construction of Thermal Power Plant on lignite with capacity of 300 MW in Mariovo. The lignite will be from the reservoir of the new mine Mariovo.

- The Estimated investment is 350 MEuro, from which 297 MEuro will be from loans - Main Project for opening the Mine Mariovo is being done. - There is ongoing procedure for company for Pre feasibility Study for defining the location of

the new TPP and the type of the equipment. The Study is financed from the EBRD. 3.7 Revitalization of TPP Bitola – III Phase

- The second phase of the complex revitalization of TPP Bitola with adjustment the emission of NOx according the world standards as well as possibility for production hot water for heating.

- According to the study from MWH the estimated investment is 100 MEuro. The Japanese government shows interest to participate in financing in this project with favorable credit terms.

- Agreement for the boilers is signed in December 2011 - The feasibility study for desulfurization in TEC Bitola (FGD Study) in frame of the program

Study of Economic Partnership in Development Countries in FY2011. The program is financed by the Janapense Government.

- With government decision this project is extended until 2014. MEPSO

4.1 Interconnection overhead line with Serbia - The length of the interconnection of the Macedonian section is 70 km with a total investment of 14

million euros. On April 5, 2011 the loan for MEPSO in amount of 14 million euros was approved.

9

- In August 2011 the expropriation of land started where the pillars of the line will be installed. By mid-2012 is planned to start construction work and construction to be completed in 2014 after which the line will be put into operation.

- International tender for construction of 400kV –Interconnection TC Stip-MK/SRB border was announced on 10.10.2012.

- The procedure for expropriation of the land in the final stage. - The opening of the tender is on 28.11.2012. The contract was singed in February 2013. The

beginning of construction is foreseen to be on the first quarter of 2013 and the constructions works will take 24 months.

4.2 Interconnection overhead line with Albania (WBIF)

- On April 13, 2011 The operators of transmission systems in the Republic of Macedonia and Albania signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in preparing the feasibility study and the study of environmental impact.

- Basic technical characteristics: length of the territory of Macedonia is 65 km, Total value of the Macedonian section of the project is about 16.7 million EUR.

- Through the WBIF was selected consulting company for preparation of feasibility study and study of environmental impact. It is expected to be finalized on March 2013.

- The interconnection corridor is fixed and harmonized with existing infrastructure. - The construction works are planned to begin in 2014. Period of construction is 30 months.

4.3 Preparation of feasibility study for construction of 400 k V interconnection overhead line with Kosovo

- The length of this interconnection line is planned to be 19 km. The estimated investment is 6,4 MEuro. JSC MEPSO already started the activities for finding donor for financial assets for the Feasibility Study.

- This project is expected to be upgrading the existing 220kV overhead 400 kV voltage level. - MEPSO start with activities for finding donor for financing the study for justification of the

project f.ex. Feasibility Study.

5. GEF Project In the frame of the GEF Sustainable Energy Project, several activities were finished or are undergoing:

- As part of the first phase of the Project, with providing grants to municipalities, works for implementation of measures for improvement the energy efficiency of buildings of schools and kindergartens were finalized in the following municipalities: Kisela Voda, Gazi Baba, Bogovinje, Zajas, Cesinovo – Oblesevo and Kavadarci.

- As part of the second phase of the Project, with co-financing by the municipalities, activities for improvement the energy efficiency of buildings of schools and kindergartens are undergoing in some of the additional selected municipalities where the procurement procures are finalized (in part of the buildings in Cair and in Konce and Valandovo) while for the others (rest part of buildings in Cair and in Zelino and Gevgelija) procurement procedures are undergoing.

- Draft National Program for energy efficiency in public buildings in the Republic of Macedonia until 2018 (Phase 1) is prepared.

- Program for implementation of the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia for the period 2013-2017 is in the procedure for Government adoption.

10

11

12

13

REGISTERING A COMPANY IN MACEDONIA

The current Company Law is effective since 2004. The amendment to the Company Law in 2005 f acilitated the start of the Central Register at the beginning of 2006, as the body authorized to perform all company registrations and the institution to maintain the all companies Trade Register. This is the primary law regulating business activity in Macedonia. I t defines the types of companies, procedures and regulations for their establishment and operations. As all foreign investors are granted the same rights and privileges as Macedonian nationals, they are entitled to establish and operate all types of self-owned private companies or joint-stock companies. Foreign investors are not required to obtain special permission from state-authorized institutions, other than what is customarily required by law. Under the Company Law, companies are formed as sep arate legal entities that operate independently and are distinct from their founders, shareholders and managers. Depending on t he type, companies have their own rights, liabilities, names and registered offices. The law defines five forms of companies: General Partnership, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Joint Stock Company and Limited Partnership by Shares.

Macedonia has introduced a ONE-STOP-SHOP SYSTEM that enables investors to register their businesses after 4 hour s of submitting on a pplication (in practice, it might take 1-2 business days). One can register a company in Macedonia by visiting one office, obtaining the information from a single place, and addressing one employee. This significantly reduces administrative barriers and start-up costs.

WORK VISAS/PERMITS Foreign residents can easily establish employment in the Republic of Macedonia, after getting an appropriate visa or permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, i.e. Diplomatic-consular offices abroad.

Nationals of EU member-states, as well as nationals of the state-parties to the Schengen agreement may enter the Republic of Macedonia presenting a valid identity card issued by the competent authorities of the EU member-states or of the state-parties to the Schengen agreement.

Type of visas:

• Entry visa • Business visa, • Employment visa

Visa requirements and procedure:

Visas shall be issued only at the embassies or consulates of the Republic of Macedonia abroad;

The validity of the passport or other travel document of the applicant has to be minimum 3 (three) months;

The applicant is to contact an embassy or the consulate of the Republic of Macedonia for additional information about the conditions and procedure for visa issuance;

The application may be submit to the embassy/consulate of the Republic of Macedonia by post mail or by fax, in which case the applicant must collect the visa in person;

Using the list of diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Macedonia abroad (which can be found at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa applicants can choose the most convenient embassy/consulate to submit the application.

Types of permits:

• Work Permit, • Residence Permit.

LICENSES AND PERMITS In addition to the registration of all business activities as stipulated by the Company Law, some business activities must obtain additional working licenses or permits before starting their operations. For the companies operating in these fields, the registration process is followed by a licensing process with the relevant authorities covering the matter of licenses and/or permits in their respective business area.

Employees in the Central Register are trained to direct newly registered companies to the appropriate licensing authorities.

For more information – Source: http://www.investinmacedonia.com/node/41

14

The territory of Macedonia is home to approximately 1,600 villages and rural areas, that are home to one third of the country's population. The villages are big and small, in the mountains and in the valleys, rich and poor, modern and traditional, near and far, but their Inhabitants are always hospitable and ready for generous sharing.

Most of the villagers secure their livelihood by working hard in the fields, keeping animals and maintaining traditional crafts. With great love for the birthplace of many generations, they continued to produce organic vegetables and fruits, meat and dairyproduce .

Authentically Macedonian rural areas will take you back across the centuries, where you can listen to the alluring stories of a lost world .

Villages we suggest you to visit :

Galichnik - learn about traditional Macedonian wedding

Vevchani - take part of "Vevchani's Carnival"

Ljubojno - visit the 8 Ortodox churches

Trpejca - try the best fish in Macedonia

Brajchino – fell the traditional way

of living

Lazaropole - for all fans of the wild horses

Malovishte - village in the middle of national park

Source: http://www.macedonia-timeless.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1339 15

MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS The Republic of Macedonia has an old and new museums and monuments which present the history and cultural heritage of its territory from 6 000 BC till today. The most popular museums in Macedonia:

MUSEUM OF MACEDONIA. Macedonia’s long and legendary history has been carefully preserved in its museums, the most important ones being in Skopje. The Archaeological Museum takes the tourist on a journey through the millennia, from the Neolithic Age, the Bronze and the Iron Ages, the Classical and the Hellenic Periods, all the way through to the Roman, Slavic, Byzantine and Turkish Periods.

MUSEUM OF CITY OF SKOPJE is a cultural institution located in Skopje. Founded in 1949, it is located in a former railway station that was partly destroyed in the 1963 earthquake. The museum is home to permanent еxhibitions representing the history of Skopje, from the first recorded settlements around 3000 BC to present.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART. The Museum of Contemporary Art is the most competent and influential institution in the Republic of Macedonia in discovering, treasuring and preserving the great

value of the art and culture of our age. It houses a precious international collection and provides a representative insight into modern Macedonian art.

THE MUSEUM OF MACEDONIAN FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE (Museum of VMRO and Museum of the victims of the communist regime) is a specialized museum with a complex exhibition that connects the modern Macedonian state with its historic, cultural and revolutionary traditions, in which the roots of over a century long struggle of the Macedonian people for creation of their own national state on the Balkan are

presented.

THE SMALLEST ETNO MUSEUM. The museum of 7,2 m2 exhibition area displays 1150 museum items made of 30 different materials like silver, alpaca, aluminum, lead, zinc, copper, iron, clay, wood, paper, textile, etc. The objects include various household utilities and furnishing, weaponry, old measuring cups, relics, tools, folk

costumes, jewelery, coins etc. dating from about 8000 BC to the 20th century. There is space in the museum for only one visitor at a time.

THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM The Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia is a memorial to the holocaust of the 7,148 Jews from Macedonia and the history of the Jews in the Balkans, located in Skopje, the capital city of the Republic of Macedonia.

MUSEUM OF BITOLA The museum of City of Bitola marked the process of the beginning of social economical revolution and the creation of the modern world. BEAR'S ROCK (MECHKIN KAMEN) MONUMENT. There is a legend behind the name of the hill. A long time ago, in a small suburb besides the orchids lived some brothers. They occupied their time with agriculture and life stock. One day , whilethe brothers were returning from the hill, they were confronted by a big bear. The brave people of Kruševo were not frightened, instead they attacked the bear. The bear rolled a rock down the hill towards the brothers, but then they killed the bear with a couple of strikes from their axes. The rock which was rolled by the bear was known as Mečkin Kamen (Bear's Rock) by the people. "The Ilinden Uprising" Macedonia's national holiday of Ilinden.On the same location, revolutionary Pitu Guli heroically battled for the Kruševo Republic in 1903 when the Ottoman army destroyed Kruševo and suppressed the uprising. A monument exists today on Mečkin Kamen where Pitu Guli was killed.

MILLENNIUM CROSS MONUMENT Millennium Cross is one of the newest symbols of Skopje. It is 67 metters high and 46 metters wide. It was build during 2002, and finished in August 2002. This Cross was build by Macedonian Orthodox Church in order to celebrate 2000 years of Christianity in the World and on Macedonian soil.

MOTHER THERESA MEMORIAL HOUSE MONUMENT The desire to pay respect to one the most famous person and Nobel Prize winner from

Macedonia was accomplished on the 30-th of January 2009 with the opening of the Memorial house dedicated to Mother Teresa. Source: http://macedonia.loginsys.com.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1092

16

MACEDONIA DESTINATION FOR EXCELLENT MEDICAL TREATMENT

The health care provided in the Republic of Macedonia has a long-standing tradition of being one of the best in the region. The health care system comprises public and private health care institutions. At this moment, there are three University Clinical Centers and several private hospitals that provide wide range of services in compliance with the highest standards and quality. During the past decades a major investments were made in the development of cardiosurgery, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery, abdominal surgery, gynecology and obstetrics including IVF treatments, urology and renal transplants and all the imaging and internal medicine specialties.

Most doctors in the country have received their education and obtained their degree at the Medical Faculty in Skopje. The faculty is an integral part of the oldest University in Macedonia. It is the leader in medical research and in establishment of new procedures and techniques. It also serves as educational facility that provides undergraduate and postgraduate education for doctors from Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Greece.

The Macedonian Medical Chamber licenses the doctors in Macedonia. The continuous medical education is required for the process of renewal of the license. Every doctor is obliged to go through several educational trainings every year. Most of the doctors are trained abroad in different fields of expertise, and take part and present their experiences at national and international conferences.

Dental practices in Macedonia are well equipped, and offer entire spectrum of dental services for complex solutions of all dental problems. Most of the dental practices that offer services in the field of dental tourism are located in

Gevgelija, Bitola, Skopje, Kavadarci and Strumica.

COMBINE YOUR MEDICAL TREATMENT WITH LEASURE AND ADVENTURE

Macedonia's tourist product is a fabulous combination of cultural and natural heritage, characterized by a wealth of lakes , mountains, and serenity, rarely found in the world in the 21st Century. Turbulent historical events on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia in prehistoric, classical and Roman period, as in the Middle Ages and the new period, left traces both in spiritual and cultural heritage.

The natural beauty of the Republic of Macedonia welcomes people with its attractive locations offering each visitor to discover Macedonia in its own way: research caving, hiking, biking, horse riding, paragliding, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, skiing, rock climbing.

Three natural lakes in the Republic of Macedonia covering 665km ² area, have clear water with temperatures reaching 25 º C, and with more than 40 km beaches with numerous hotels and other accommodation facilities. Enjoy swimming, sunbathe or leisure holiday at Ohrid, Struga, Prespa and Dojran.

The mountain slopes allow development of winter tourism. Winter centers operating in Macedonia: Mavrovo, Pelister, Kozuf, Popova Shapka and Krusevo are just some of the

possibilities offered by geographic potential of the country.

Macedonia is a land of grapes and wine. Vintage represents a continuation of a long tradition. Three Macedonian wine regions are divided into 16 vineyard, and main production is in the Vardar Valley (centarl part - Povardarie), the Pelagoniya and Polog Region and the Region of Pchinja and Osogovo. Numerous varieties of grapes used by the famous Macedonian wineries, traditional food and accommodation that offer some of the wineries are really excellent tourist attraction. Source: http://www.medmacedonia.org/index.php/en/why-macedonia/sightseeing

17

Consotional Implications on the Post Conflict Macedonian Society

Introduction

The Macedonian ground is home to many collectivises that, historically speaking, can

be considered non - ruling. All these are considered to be part of the tradition of coexistence.

Within the Yugoslav Federation and after the gaining of independence in 1991, coexistence

and divisions have always stood up against each other. The above had culminated with ethnic

conflict in 2001, f ollowed by restoring of peace and restructuring of democratic principles

with new concepts. The latter undertaking is, domestically and internationally perceived as a

degree of success. Observed primarily on t he immediate level, it is an act of restoring

confidence of all citizens of this aspect which is primarily members of ethnic communities in

the institutions of the country.

The various opportunities that are offered by their willingness and technical ability to

be an active part of the community which exists and operates, could be considered as

determinants on the “ladder of success’’ by which cultural, specifically ethnic diversity will

be considered for a particular quality of a society as is the case with Macedonia.

Given the hypothesis that Macedonia is a p lace where liberal and communitarian

traditions meet, a brief overview of the two seemingly conflicting concepts intrinsic to the

respective principles will be offered, in context of examining few general notions of

Macedonian democracy, relevant for the discourse subject. The latter requires a

distinguishment between the centripetal and consotional segments in the Macedonian case,

18

i.e. the principles of the axis and diffusion. Since Macedonia is a composite model, it is

possible to detect different socio - political segments within these two principles.

Consotialism as Opposed to Centripetalism. The Multicultural Model

According to Laurent de Briey, consotionalism recognises formally the ethnic

division and reproduces that division at all power levels, whereas the centripetal approach

aims to encourage moderation on e thnic issues and, thereby, favours more ideological

cleavages. Roughly, the main issue therefore would be, whether having communal

representatives is desirable or if it is preferable that politicians represent the whole nation.1

The other tendency is centripetalist. According to Reilly, centripetalism envisages

democracy as a continual process of conflict management, a recurring cycle of dispute

resolution in which contentious issues must ultimately be solved via negotiation and

reciprocal cooperation, rather than simple majority rule. According to this theory, at the heart

of the case for centripetalism as a f orm of conflict management is thus the need to create

incentives for accommodation between competing interests in societies driven by deep -

seated ethnic or other cleavages. One of the most feasible paths to such inter-group

accommodation is to present political parties and candidates campaigning at elections with

incentives to cooperate across ethnic lines.2

Riley sets centripetal system in the following frame, attributable to the following

features:

• electoral incentives for campaigning politicians to reach out to and attract votes from

a range of ethnic groups other than their own, thus encouraging them to moderate

their political rhetoric on potentially divisive issues and forcing them to broaden their

policy positions in the hope of attracting broader multi - ethnic electoral support;

• arenas of bargaining, under which political actors from different groups have an

incentive to come together to bargain and negotiate in the search for cross - partisan

and cross - ethnic vote - pooling deals, negotiations which may then lead on t o

discussion of other more substantial issues as well;

1 De Briey, Laurent, Centripetalism in Consotional Democracy: The Multiple Proportional Vote, Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research Institut Supérieur de Philosophie, 2005, pp.5 2 Reilly, Benjamin, Democracy in Divided Societies: Electoral Engineering for Conflict Management, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 2001, pp.8 - 9.

19

• centrist, aggregative political parties or coalitions of parties which seek multi - ethnic

support and present a diverse range of policy options to the electorate and which, via

cross - ethnic voter appeals, vote transfers and inter - ethnic coalitions, are able to

make and sustain cross-ethnic bargains based upon programmatic policy platforms.

Analyzed by features, the Macedonian model embraces presence of all three features:

first, that electoral incentives are found in presidential elections, beyond the strict political

framework, where the Macedonian and Albanian political part tacticize with each other,

making this visible especially in the second round of elections. The second feature is seen in

double voting principle or Badinter’s majority, but it is not seen as a classic consotional

display of rigid consensus of all ethnic parties, but only as s consent from both the affected

community and of course, the political majority, which is usually represented by the majority

ethnic community. The third characteristic is seen in large coalitions and campaign when one

of the major ethnic majority parties gather around a much smaller ethnic parties of the

smaller communities, and after winning the elections, in the coalition with one of the biggest

parties of the bloc's second - largest community.

Steven Vertovec denies that multiculturalism can be understood as a comprehensive

collection of different principles and mechanisms. He argues that it is an illusion to perceive

multiculturalism as one philosophy, structure, discourse or set of policy measures. According

to the author, the term is invoked differentially to describe a number of discrete – albeit

sometimes overlapping – phenomena. He defines several focal points of the respective issue3:

• A way of describing the actual makeup of a society;

• A general vision of the way government and society should orient itself;

• A specific set of policy tools for accommodating minority cultural practices;

• Specially created frameworks of governance allowing for the representation of

immigrant and ethnic minority interests;

• Variety of support mechanisms and funds for assisting ethnic minority communities

to celebrate and reproduce their traditions.

The Macedonian case could identify all elements of the abovementioned specified

forms. It is said elements, because these features are not regarded as exclusive within the

3 Vertovec, Steven, Wessendorf, Susanne, Migration and C ultural, Religious and L inguistic Diversity in Europe: An overview of issues and trends, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, Working Paper No. 18, University of Oxford, 2005, pp. 3-5

20

Macedonian socio political discourse. The first feature, the makeup of society is represented

through the transition after independence and post - conflict social management; the general

orientation of the vision of society is expressed through the present policy framework as a

general notion and practical feature of the social flows; the specific set of policies is also part

of the time before and after 2001 - by the conflict; the policy framework for the government

to respect the rights of minorities applies to mechanisms through which minorities exercise

their traditions and reproduce, since this falls within the domain of cultural policy whose

modification has become the subject of constitutional change. First, it was a subject of

declaration, paying more respect to the norm and its form (until 2001) and afterwards, it

shifted more to the substantial level through enhancing the actual practice. 4

According to P. Atanasov, the collectivistic approach does not sustain liberal values

but it enhances paternalistic and obedient traditions. According to him, the “ethnic knots

theory” (Macedonians and Albanians answer completely different on important questions for

the country) explains the difficulties in communications and the obstacles to build common

civic public sphere and civic culture without using ethnic lenses.5

Appliance of Consotional Model in Macedonia

The consotional approach, as already stated, is useful for Macedonia in some

segments, primarily in the discourse of conflict resolution on the situation and resuming the

peace. In this regard, the use of this mechanism is rated as the best possible solution for the

short and longer term, as shown in the following years. The consotional approach in

Macedonia can be assessed as an operating, controlling, facilitating and preventive

mechanism. The need of the latter is reflected in the conservative classical crossing of the

cultural boundaries and implications in general and social policy that stay as a primary goal

of sustainability of interethnic stability.

4 This was primarily visible in the declarative part of the 1991 Constitution, with Macedonian citizens as a sole constitutive part of Macedonian state, a nation comprised of ethnic Macedonians and other national segments, Albanian, Turkish, Serbian, Roma, Vlach, Bosniak, giving the introduction, i.e. the Preamble, a nationalistic, not supranational taste. Thus, other ethnicities were placed in the background, whilst the constituent value was forgotten, settling an obvious displeasure. The 1991 constitution only recognizes the rights of national minorities, not raising them on equal level as constitutively Macedonian people.

5Atanasov, Petar, The “Ohrid Process”: A Long Lasting Challenge, Crossroads, The Macedonian Foreign Policy Journal, January – August 2011, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, pp. 49.

21

The analysis of the respective issue from a purely territorial aspect confirms the thesis

that the consotional model is even more necessary and useful to the local level. Given the fact

that the territory of Macedonia is ethnically heterogeneous with ethnically homogeneous

local units, the application of the respective consotional model is sustainable as a solution,

just as the dominance of centripetal model is viable at the central level on issues of vital

importance to maintain the state the political system.

One of the dangerous roads for Macedonia would be the bi - nationalism, which is

always present as an issue throughout the last two decades (as elaborated in the previous

chapters), because ethnic power in the country has two polarities, Macedonian and Albanian.

The first tries to include the second, while the second refers to the exclusivist regard

of their own cause. The Macedonian element always embraced the idea of ‘’national’’ wire as

the unifying factor, a core basis to further build on shared values, something that is denied by

the Albanian factor.

Some of the Albanian experts, on the other hand believe that ethnic Albanians make

sufficient efforts to engage in joint social life, but they are hampered by the majority, which

they consider unitaristic. This is considered to identify common values with the ethnic

identity of the majority community.6

P.Atanasov considers that, for example, since ethnic identification is on t he rise,

Albanians, but also Turks, are identifying themselves first of all as ethnic groups, and then,

on their religious belonging.7

In such case, the country faces two types of requests. One would be the multiplication

of centres of power and implementation of official cultural policies, as has been case. The

same model can be neutralizing, inducing encouraging influence of ethnic identities, and is in

the domain of official political action. Another commitment would in the domain of civil

6 For example, prof.Nazmi Maliki considers the case with the Macedonian army and police. ‘’Only when the Army of the Republic of Macedonia will rise above nationally plural postulates of harmony, especially between Macedonians and Albanians, citizens should never exclude a pos itive national identity and t hereby increase reciprocal trust. In this context, the nationality of Albanian citizens with the officer ranks and a general ranks in the army and p olice, in no case should stay away from the table common interests of the Republic of Macedonia.’ Source: Interview with Nazmi Maliki, Deputy Minister for Defence, Newspaper ‘’Flaka’’, 23 of May 1993, taken from: Maliki, Nazmi, Political Peace building in the Republic of Macedonia, Project Partners in Peace and Prevention, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Skopje, 2004, pp.194. 7 See In: Atanasov, Petar, The “Ohrid Process”: A Long Lasting Challenge, Crossroads, The Macedonian Foreign Policy Journal, January – August 2011, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, pp. 48.

22

society, as centripetal model of action, thus distancing the action from the political centre,

enhancing greater involvement of the ‘’stakeholders themselves’’.

Civil society is well - known concept of the Macedonian social scene in the last 20

years, which, inspired by the situation in 2001, was put in, complementary position with

consotional model or the model of ethno - cultural pluralism.

According to the classic theory of Arend Lijphart, each consotional society has to

fulfil several requirements:

• Government based on the grand coalition of parties from all significant segments of

certain plural society;

• Mutual right veto for protection of vital minority interests;

• Proportionality, as a basic criterion in determining the political representation and

division of funds;

• High degree of autonomy of segments to solve internal affairs.

The first requirement, the government based on the principle of the grand coalition is

continuously fulfilled, which is already elaborated that large coalitions participating parties

from all ethnic communities is an unwritten rule of Macedonian politics and the conflict in

2001.

The mutual right of veto is also the case in Macedonia represented by Badinter’s

majority voting principle, limited to issues of cultural significance for the respective

communities and thus ethnic blocking vital political issues of interest are avoided . 8

The proportionality is a criterion that is not formally met by the Macedonian political

scene because it lacks the fulfilment of another important condition set by Lijphart, the

existence of at least three segments that are similar in size and power;

The fourth condition is partially fulfilled at both central and local level. Ethnic

autonomy could be found in the field of cultural policy and the central and local level, within

issues such as language, education, use of ethnic symbols of the community etc.

According to Arend Lijphart’s theory, each consotional society has to fulfil several

requirements: multiplied balance of power which assumes presence of at least three

8 These are in fact special parliamentary procedures, whereas the decisions which affect a particular minority community require a double majority, i.e. majority votes by the representatives of the affected community (so - called Badinter’s majority). These include issues of adopting the new Constitution, the local self – government law, as well as laws of direct relevance to cultural issues, education, personal documents, usage of symbols; laws on local finances, local elections, the city of Skopje and territorial organization.

23

segments; second - a small territory; third - separation of the segments; fourth - the existence

of a tradition of arranging the elements; fifth - the existence of divisions that intersect.9

As for Macedonia, for example, some Albanian experts consider that fulfilling the

first requirement is partial, because besides the Macedonian and Albanian, the third segment

would be the existence of other smaller ethnic communities as a whole, but divided into

several segments.10

Regarding the meeting of the condition - party pluralism, the latter is represented by

ethnic segmentization of the Macedonian political scene. As it has been elaborated

previously, each ethnic group has its own political representatives in Parliament, which was

the case with the introduction of political pluralism, as well as with the post – conflict

aftermath, where it was more pronounced. Interestingly, for example, the parties of Turks,

Vlachs and Roma are not represented independently in Parliament, but traditionally the major

part of ruling coalitions.11

The requirement of separation of the segments is also fulfilled. Official statistics say

that Macedonia's territorial segments are characterized by high ethnic homogeneity. For

example, the number of ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians living as a minority in the

municipalities is approximately equal, given the size of each group (7.12% - Macedonians to

18.22% - Albanians).12

Regarding the Framework strategy, some experts believe that it is moving in the

direction of becoming normative and institutionalized, which is logical, because the latter

same cannot be achieved nor developed without respecting the basic normative acts in the

country. 13

If the relationship norm – politics is to be observed, it leads towards a conclusion that

the Macedonian case unites two segments. The progress in the field of legislation is

undisputed, but the goal of giving a more comprehensive analysis necessarily needs time. The

9 Lijphart, Arend, Democracy in Plural Societies: A Comparative Exploration, New Haven-London: Yale University Press, 1977, pp. 25. 10 Source: Sulejmani, Rizvan, Consotional Democracy and Power Sharing in Macedonia, Power Sharing and Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Skopje, 2008, pp. 185 - 187.

11Sulejmani, Rizvan, Ibidem.

12 State Statistical Office, Source: Sulejmani, Rizvan, Ibidem.

13Atanasov, Petar, The “Ohrid Process”: A Long Lasting Challenge, Crossroads, The Macedonian Foreign Policy Journal, January – August 2011, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, pp. 49

24

country faces a r eal “sea” of regulations that are characterized by varying degrees of

applicability, with the development of other fields as a prerequisite for the above.

One of the legal segments in this regard is the given legitimacy to the minority, with

the already mentioned consotional double majority principle or the Badinter’s principle of

voting. According to the latter, laws that are being provided double majority could only be

adopted if they are voted for by the majority of the community which is affected by the

adoption of the law.

According to Lj. Frchkoski, issues like this one have been considered as a “horror” for

the theoreticians and practitioners of democracy, especially if connected with the theory of

consotional democracy by Arend Lijphart. However, the Macedonian model can be

considered a successful one, since the respective issue is narrowed only to the cultural scope

of issues affecting the minority communities, acting as a d efence mechanism for their

protection. 14

The legal principle of communities‘ veto is not expressed within other political

segments. The latter, as part of the new normative political system has been shifted only on

the cultural level. It often exceeds its normative boundaries, but it does not modify its

position. Badinter’s principle, which produces “veto system”, does not apply to issues crucial

to the survival of the political system although it is implicated. As already elaborated, it is

visible in the system of political parties’ participation of communities in the government,

although it is not connected with a certain percentage. For some of communities, the presence

is symbolic, for others regarding the structure and content – higher and crucial for the

interethnic stability (support of the Albanian parties within every government coalition).

What is of a specific interest for Macedonia (as the problem is visible recently, more

than ten years after signing the Framework agreement and its practice), is the situation in

smaller communities, their participation in the social system and overcoming their

marginalization. Their situation in terms of lack participation in the social flows is apparent

not because of the absence of legislation, but because of their continuous lack of capacity to

deal with above stated. This creates, an ‘’artificial’’ favorization the status of one minority’s

identity to others (for example, Albanian to Roma).

14 Frchkoski, Ljubomir, The Ohrid Agreement is an A greement for Building the State, Ohrid Framework Agreement, Interviews, (editor Sasho Klekovski), Macedonian Center for International Cooperation, Skopje, August 2011,

25

The most significant achievement of the legal field is the system of protection against

making decisions that affect the majority, or prevent majorization. Moreover, the above said

is equally considerable for both central and local level. Nominal success is achieved in the

segment of cultural rights and prevention against discrimination; success in real terms is

achieved within the system of political participation, employment and advancement, the

mechanism as one of its bases has goals and nurturing the expression of cultural identity.

Another positive feature would be that normative system produces new laws

‘’specialis’’ that further regulate the above content. This means that the application of the

model is inspiring its further development; some of the solutions they offer are applicable and

require more detailed elaboration.

Conclusion

The Macedonian society after the 1991 i ndependence promoted equality as a

fundamental democratic centripetal principle. The overly long transition and population’s

depletion bore the feeling of insecurity. The historical tradition of coexistence between

different ethnic groups was replaced with principle of formal equality, but in fact, inequality

was primarily inspired by unequal economic opportunities. The uncertainty produced

strengthening of ethnic identity of each of the groups and their closure. The closure was

followed by exclusion and social distancing from another; the majority, despite the formal

principles of equality, did not adopt and implement a policy of inclusion, social integration

and social convergence.

Framework Agreement, as a conclusion to the conflict crisis (between the

Macedonian and Albanian ethnic community in 2001) establishes a good basis for the

principle of consensus in the society. Although it cannot be given a definition for Macedonia

as a s trict consensual society, it addresses the area of issues which concern the ethnic

communities. It is achieved through introduction of regular political leadership meetings, the

Committee for Interethnic Relations, the principle of the Badinter’s majority. The latter

conforms the principle of the decisions, checks and balances. But, for the full course

achievement, much effort is required, as well as certain political and economic denials, thus

financial support.

26

The complexity of the model is in fact reflected in the combination of two opposing

models, the consotional and centripetal. Consotional model is reflected in the cultural sphere,

whilst the centripetal pattern in the political system. Cultural issues may partly enter into the

political scene, but they are not normatively regulated, being part of the practice and the

strongest ethnic Albanian community.

The both systems, in addition to the positive characteristics of themselves bear certain

risks. The positive side is the fact that the consotional model provides participation of

representatives of all ethnic communities in the government and their participation in the

joint decisions, enhancing their autonomy and ethnic coexistence. The positive feature of the

centripetal model of government is it that it emphasizes the need to create institutional

dynamics, thus it prevents ethnification of the political system and results in more integrated

elite.15

The consotional unsustainability of the model in its exclusive sense in Macedonia is

seen in its overcoming of the country’s boundaries. The consotionalism is not seen only in a

closed framework of relations in the country, but the external implications, i.e. the

relationship of ethnic Albanians in their ‘’native’’ country and the majority of the population

of ethnic Albanians towards Kosovo, Serbs towards Serbia, etc. Other deviation is seen in the

presence of foreign factor in issues of ethnic nature. Namely, the 2001 conflict negotiations,

the signing of the Framework Agreement and have all been considered as activities for

normalization of the conflict situation and presence through various programs and projects

with an ethnic nature.

Macedonia is located halfway between civil universalism and particular

communitarianism. Civil concept works as a centripetal force that makes focus groups around

shared core values; the particularistic is doing the opposite tendencies, i.e. it is dragging

groups away from the core and close to their own mini - cores of action. The group with more

differentiated identity has stronger particular tendency.

The both systems, in addition to the positive characteristics of themselves bear certain

risks. The positive side is the fact that the consotional model provides participation of

representatives of all ethnic communities in the government and their participation in the

joint decisions, enhancing their autonomy and ethnic coexistence. The positive feature of the

centripetal model of government is it that it emphasizes the need to create institutional

15 Bieber, Florian, Power Sharing and Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Skopje, 2008, pp.18.

27

dynamics, thus it prevents ethnification of the political system and results in more integrated

elite.16

Expressed in one multi - cultural, and especially in the case of the Republic of

Macedonia, multiethnic environment, it is especially important to properly balance the ratio

of heterogeneity and cultural - ethnic disparities that produce them, as well as favorization of

certain nationalities ‘inequality. Balancing the social stability and fragility is something that

is achieved in multiple ways: reorganization of the institutions, official political participation,

unofficial political participation as a form of balance among political elites and citizenship; as

well as with the civil sector.

* * *

The Macedonian case does not reflect a completely new model of power sharing, but

establishes new mechanisms for making decisions that further elaborate the existing ones.

After the conflict, the new system of separation of powers and implementation upgraded the

existing model of communities’ participation in government. Thus, the centripetal system of

government slightly inclined towards the consotional model, although not in pure form.

The Framework Agreement and the deriving legislative solutions can be considered a

turning point for the Macedonian society, with the fragile nation beginning to incline towards

a multiethnic based society. The emphasis is on the word ‘’began’’, because, with the

Preamble, the small national minorities which do not meet 20% of Macedonia's population,

are still being put in the background.

The Macedonian multicultural model cannot be considered as a d irect means of

achieving the goal of proportionality in inclusiveness, but can only be considered as

principle, so the solutions would be in accordance with the current political constellation and

willingness to comply with its spirit.

Selected bibliography:

1. Atanasov, Petar, The “Ohrid Process”: A Long Lasting Challenge, Crossroads, The

Macedonian Foreign Policy Journal, January – August 2011, M inistry of Foreign

Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia;

16Ibidem.

28

2. Bieber, Florian, Power Sharing and I mplementation of the Ohrid Framework

Agreement, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Skopje, 2008;

3. De Briey, Laurent, Centripetalism in Consotional Democracy: The Multiple

Proportional Vote, Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research Institut Supérieur

de Philosophie, 2005;

4. Frchkoski, Ljubomir, The Ohrid Agreement is an Agreement for Building the State,

Ohrid Framework Agreement, Interviews, (editor Sasho Klekovski), Macedonian

Centre for International Cooperation, Skopje, August 2011;

5. Lijphart, Arend, Democracy in Plural Societies: A Comparative Exploration, New

Haven-London: Yale University Press, 1977;

6. Maliki, Nazmi, Political Peace building in the Republic of Macedonia, Project

Partners in Peace and Prevention, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Skopje, 2004;

7. Reilly, Benjamin, Democracy in Divided Societies: Electoral Engineering for Conflict

Management, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 2001;

8. Sulejmani, Rizvan, Consotional Democracy and Power Sharing in Macedonia, Power

Sharing and Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, Friedrich Ebert

Foundation, Skopje, 2008;

9. Vertovec, Steven, Wessendorf, Susanne, Migration and Cultural, Religious and

Linguistic Diversity in Europe: An overview of issues and t rends, Centre on

Migration, Policy and Society, Working Paper No. 18, University of Oxford, 2005.

29