"Regretfully, the agenda does not foresee a debate
over the issue of Alliance enlargement. The NATO enlargement process
needs to resume, since it will undoubtedly contribute to the
strengthening of stability, prosperity and democracy in Southeast
Europe. Over the years, Republic of Macedonia has met all required
criteria for NATO membership. We are a proven equal partner of the
Alliance, actively contributing to the realization of NATO-led
international peacekeeping missions, especially the ISAF mission in
Afghanistan, where we are ranked as one of the largest contributors per
capita. Thus, Macedonia has demonstrated its capability to undertake the
obligations arising from Alliance membership, by participating in the
enhancement of collective security and building of free and democratic
societies", says PM Gruevski in the letter.
He stresses that Macedonia has completed 13 NATO
Membership Action Plan cycles, with the country meeting all membership
criteria. Moreover, Gruevski says the political will in the country has
also been confirmed through the recent Declaration for reaffirmation of
the country's strategic goal for NATO membership, recently adopted by
the Parliament.
"Therefore, I believe that inclusion of the NATO
membership invitation at the Chicago summit would represent a logical
outcome of the work done by the Republic of Macedonia, an acknowledgment
of our efforts, contribution and aspirations", reads the letter.
PM Gruevski also refers to Greece's opposition to Macedonia's membership.
"As you are aware, we did not obtain the membership
invitation in Bucharest due to the opposition by our neighbor Greece,
which blocked our accession because of a bilateral dispute, which can in
no way represent a legal condition for Alliance membership. We received
confirmation of the illegal obstruction of our membership, as well as a
special satisfaction for the injustice imposed to us at the Bucharest
summit, through the ruling by the Hague-based International Court of
Justice in 2011, which clearly said that Greece violated Article 11,
Paragraph 1 of the Interim Accord by preventing Macedonia's NATO
membership. Namely, the Alliance's position over Macedonia's accession
after overcoming of the row with Greece was adopted as a result of prior
illegal action by Greece. The Court also stressed that Macedonia acted
in good will for overcoming of the dispute with Greece during the entire
period, adding that the row should not be seen in correlation with the
accession of my country in international organizations, such as NATO.
The Court ruling also noted that Greece should not continue to prevent
Macedonia's membership in the international organization under the UN
reference", says Gruevski.
He adds that the judgment by the ICJ, an institution
established by the United Nations with a task to maintain international
law, should be reviewed at the Chicago summit, as well as give Greek
representatives an opportunity to refer to it.
"We would like to stress it is rational, right and
fair to correct the Bucharest statement referring to our membership by
using the legal power of the Hague ruling and the light it sheds on the
issue. I would like to emphasize that Your support to this legitimate
aspiration of my country and the overwhelming majority of citizens will
be of enormous significance to us, but also in the common interest of
the Alliance. Guided by principles, I hope that the ICJ ruling will not
serve only as a moral satisfaction for the Republic of Macedonia, i.e.
it will not be ignored by NATO member-states. I am aware that
maintaining these principles is not always easy and can cause
unpleasantness among allies and partners. However, principles help us in
facing challenges and holding ground in these turbulent times. The
insistence of solidarity deprived of principles puts force as the only
factor of action. Therefore, more understanding is required for the
situation that the Republic of Macedonia copes with, where one
member-state conditions the membership invitation despite the fulfilment
of all required standards. It is necessary to reevaluate the existing
positions regarding Macedonia's NATO membership, but at the same to give
Greece the opportunity to present its stance over the respect of the
ICJ judgment", emphasizes Gruevski.
PM Gruevski concludes that Macedonia's NATO accession
would benefit the region's stability, security and prosperity, but at
the same time stimulate the creation of trust between Macedonia and
Greece, serving as positive pressure for intensification of bilateral
talks over a mutually acceptable solution to the name dispute.
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