Makedonien am Scheideweg zwischen Einheit und Spaltung
Macedonia at the Crossroads between Entity and Disruption

Summary/Abstract: With the parliamentary elections in September 2002, the Republic of Macedonia has - in the view of international observers - passed the test of democracy after the armed conflict of 2001. However, while the country seems rather stable on the surface, the reality in Macedonian life points to a widening split between the ethnic Macedonian majority and the ethnic Albanian minority. While substantial concessions have been made to the ethnic Albanians with the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement of August 2001, the roots of the conflict have by no means been eradicated. Many events of the past two years have deepened the mutual mistrust. Moreover, the implementation of many articles of the very Agreement will further separate the communities. The key for a better future in Macedonia lies in confidence building. The international community must continue with its economic and political support Macedonia‘s neighbours can contribute substantially with constructive postures regarding old disputes that have questioned the young republic‘s identity Finally, the political elite in Macedonia, together with a strengthening local civil society, can prove their constructive roles with multi-ethnic approaches to trans-ethnic problems, such as unemployment and corruption. The long-term aim is to have the inhabitants feel primarily as citizens of Macedonia, rather than as members of their respective ethnicity.

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