XHABIR DERALLA
Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and peace are in the interest of Europe and the world. This is a time when Macedonian citizens have a moral and human obligation to express their solidarity and support to friendly Ukraine. The least that anyone of us can do is to reject the disinformation and propaganda against the sovereignty and freedom of Ukraine. Freedom of Ukraine means freedom of both Europe and the world.
Rich and diverse cooperation and exchange
Ukraine, 24 times bigger and with a population 20 times larger than the one of North Macedonia, has always been here, on equal and friendly basis, being unobtrusive, yet a significant partner. The cooperation and support between the Ukrainian and Macedonian state is multilayered and rich. In order to gain even a basic idea of the diverse and rich Macedonian-Ukraine cooperation, one can also read the interview with Ukraine Ambassador Natalia Zadorozhnyuk.
Economy, trade and business, culture and art, education and science, health, military-technical cooperation, tourism – there practically isn’t an area in which cooperation and exchange with this large and rich country haven’t been developed. And all this is done without pompousness and based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and friendship.
Friendship
Ukraine is big friend of North Macedonia. The rapprochement between the two countries has been built since the very beginning of their independence, and officially, the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1995. Even though the two countries have had a turbulent political reality since the first day of independence, North Macedonia from the SFRY, Ukraine from the USSR, the two countries recognize the need for rapprochement and close cooperation.
International agreements and cooperation
Hence, at official international levels, North Macedonia and Ukraine have reached 48 agreements for cooperation, partnership and support, practically in all areas in which two countries can cooperate. The economic and trade cooperation is fruitful and dates back to the very beginning, even before the establishing of the diplomatic relations. In the area of tourism, culture, art, education and science, many projects have been and still are being implemented, as well as exchange and support between a number of different institutions, associations, networks and teams of the two countries.
The two countries have reached numerous agreements for cooperation also in the area of legal, tax, archival and other regulations for facilitating the cooperation of legal and private persons, as well as institutions and economic entities. These also include technical regulations and consumer policies in the area of consumer rights. Furthermore, agreements have been reached and there is cooperation in the field of environmental protection.
Cooperation in the field of health is visible and long-term. This includes also cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of fight against cancer.
Common Euro-Atlantic integration processes
In regards to the national strategic interests, the two countries are committed to the Euro-Atlantic integration. North Macedonia and Ukraine cooperate in the EU and NATO integration processes, and the military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries is more than 20 years old.
Ukraine as a society, regardless of the numerous challenges internally, has shown and proven that it is a peaceful country that fosters good and friendly relations with all countries in its surrounding and in the world.
Development, stability, peace and freedom are in the interest of everyone
And so, even those who doubt the ideas of peace and freedom for all nations in the world, and only see their own and the interest of their community, will realize that the development, stability, peace and freedom of Ukraine is also their interest. Only in peaceful, stable and free countries there are prospects for work, development and improving of the standard. Conflicts and wars bring poverty, famine, diseases, suffering and death.
In today’s world of global communications and interdependence of states, economies and communities, a military aggression just 1,000 kilometers away could be a heavy blow to everyone both in our country and in the countries of the region, Europe and the world.
Therefore, the very title of this text is not an empty slogan, but a correct conclusion. Freedom and peace for Ukraine really mean freedom and peace for everyone in the region, in Europe and in the world.
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
