The relations between Macedonia and Albania

Résumé du document

Macedonia has particular features in the Balkanic entanglement. On the one hand, we could say it is a "classical" Balkanic country, with all the negative connotations this adjective unfortunately implies: a post-Yugoslavian country, which encounters difficulties to ensure its authority, a society in crisis, corruption, and the rampant problem of extremist nationalism, enhanced by the presence of minorities on the Macedonian territory. Nonetheless, on the other hand, and at least till 2001, we could hope that Macedonia would step forward other Balkanic countries, by its capacity to avoid conflict, its respect of minorities and the success of its democratic transition (compared to other countries hardly affected by wars). Indeed, the existence of Macedonia, after 1991, was not obvious at all, since the small country had problems with almost all its neighbours. The rampant conflict with Greece, about the name of the country, was more or less settled through the appellation of Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia.

Extraits

[...] Hence, we could wonder to what extent the relations between Macedonia and Albania could be an asset in the accession to the EU. We will see first that the diplomatic relations between the two countries could be an example of regional integration and cooperation. Then, at an internal scale, finding equilibrium between the two communities is a challenge towards political maturity. I Diplomatic relations between the two countries: towards regional integration and cooperation All the countries of the Balkans are deeply related to each other, by the similarity of their political situation, their common will to integrate rapidly the European Union, and also by the forced entanglement of their ethnic populations. [...]

[...] When Albanians, from Albania, come to Macedonia, they almost consider it as their own country, because they speak, they eat, they marry Albanian. According to this demographic clout, it seemed logical for the Albanians to obtain a political and social representation. However, until 2000, the Albanians did not get what they wanted. Macedonia was safe from the regional conflicts, and everybody thought that it was a country which deeply respected its minorities. Indeed, it was more a fragile compromise between the two communities: if the Macedonians did not directly oppress or exert violence on the “minority”, the latter had no real legitimacy in the institutions, especially in the Constitution. [...]

[...] One statistic proves the general enthusiasm for the EU: 92% of Macedonian citizens are eager to enter the EU. Hence, the European issue is not ethnic-based issue: both Albanians and Macedonians are enthusiastic about it. This accession will then be the priority of all governments, whatever the ethnic composition is, and this accession is one of the major gathering elements between the two communities. Bibliography Reports - Report n°153, International Crisis Group, 25/02/2004: “Pan-albanisme, quelle menace pour la stabilité des Balkans?” - Information Report n°287, French Sénat, 04/04/2006, Rapport d'information sur les relations de l'Albanie et l'Ancienne République Yougoslave de Macédoine avec l'Union Européenne Articles - Les Balkans signent un accord régional de commerce, un pas vers l'UE 19/12/06 http://www.7sur7.be/ - Balkans : Les portes de l'Union Européenne entrouvertes à la Macédoine by Chrysanthi PANTELIDAKI 02/03/2006 http://www.eurosduvillage.com - La Macédoine cinq ans après les accords d'Ohrid from Le Courrier International 31/08/2006 - Les Albanais de Macédoine prêts à l'action from Le Courrier International 22/02/2007, from Zejko TRKANIEC, Jutarnji List - Macédoine : entre Macédoniens et Albanais, les minorités sont à l'étroit by Aleksandar PISAREV, 16/04/2007, on the website balkans.courriers.info - Après le statut du Kosovo, quel avenir pour les Balkans occidentaux ? [...]

[...] Indeed, it seems that Macedonia is still looking for equilibrium, between the looking for its own national identity, the respect of the minorities, and the respect of the international treaties first Orchid- which may be the key to the international institutions. Macedonia is actually carrying out the measures implied by the Orchid framework: the country is at peace, but it does not mean that tensions are over. Every sensible political, social, issue can still be a potential source of conflicts. For instance, decentralisation, which was some years ago on the political agenda, is very controversial. [...]

[...] They wanted to show their willingness to carry out the measures of Orchid, decided in cooperation with the EU, and to show their ability to find compromises between the two communities. Their relations are always made of mistrust and non comprehension: there is little ethnic mixing. The Albanian parties, at the Assembly, are still agitating the threat of demonstrations, if they cannot get what they want from the government. However, we can praise the real will of the Macedonian leaders to cooperate with their Albanian colleagues. [...]