Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal, European, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery at the International Conference “Defending Democracy and Human Rights in the Face of War, Nationalism, and Authoritarianism” – Skopje, December 12, 2024
Today, I extend my sincere greetings to our partner country North Macedonia. Last year I had the pleasure to visit Skopje and to talk with many people. Today, unfortunately, I am not able to be there in person. The topics that you want to address, affect not only me, but also many people in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as all of Germany.
Under this long and important title, today you will discuss many current key issues. These topics are of priority both in North Macedonia and in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially in places in the world where there is currently a war. Places where democratic values and human rights are not respected and where civilians, women and even children pay with their freedom and lives for this. We started the initiative “Human Rights Week” in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is held across the entire country for several days around December 10, International Human Rights Day. Events by various organizers in my country are dedicated exclusively to the topic of human rights. At this event, those who have suffered, victims, activists, as well as politicians and journalists express their opinion. At today’s conference in Skopje, with the help of the extraordinary organizers, you in North Macedonia are making a special contribution to Human Rights Week and beyond. I personally am very happy about that.
The partnership between North Macedonia and North Rhine-Westphalia has existed for three years now. The goal is to establish and strengthen close relations between the governments, but especially between the people in our countries.
For that purpose, over the past three years we have initiated joint projects in many areas, such as in the economy and further education, by organizing internships for graduates. We have implemented projects for strengthening qualified and resilient journalism and we have started our cooperation between our two ministries of interior.
In addition, we actively support the establishment of connections between Macedonian and German municipalities for building local connections. Within this partnership and Human Rights Week, we as part of the government of North Rhine-Westphalia are pleased to support today’s conference.
Given the situation in the world and also our surrounding, it is clear that this conference is taking place at an appropriate time. It has never before been so urgent as it is today to work on the topics of democracy, media and human rights.
I would like to thank you for managing to organize the presence of a large number of experts in Skopje and virtual presence today. I will follow the results and conclusions that you will make. I wish all of you a successful exchange of information and much success in the next several hours, especially in the implementation of the acquired knowledge.
Sincere greetings from Düsseldorf.
