REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD TO EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION AT THE END OF THE XX AND THE BEGINNING OF XXI CENTURY
REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD TO EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION AT THE END OF THE XX AND THE BEGINNING OF XXI CENTURY

Summary/Abstract: In parallel with the process of proclamation of its independence in the early 90s former Yugoslav republic Macedonia faces serious problems in their own country. Internally - the definitive independence of the country and externally - its international recognition. While the last decade of the XX-th century is primarily related to international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia, the first decade of the XXI-st century the country faces as before serious cross-national problems and contradictions mainly between Macedonian and Albanian ethnic group in the country and the dilemma for further her steps for membership in Euro-Atlantic structures - the EU and NATO. Cross-national relations, especially relations between the Macedonian and Albanian communities throughout the twenty years period of existence of the Republic of Macedonia as an independent state, were never at the right level and often political tension was there. So in 2001 the political and ethno-national situation in Macedonia is entering a qualitatively new phase. After nearly ten years, outlining the contours of the “Macedonian model of ethnic coexistence” in which Macedonians and Albanians are trying to find a common language of communication and apply European standards in minority policy, led to a sharp reversal. The threat of widening conflict and its transformation into civil war thwarted by the international community. With the Ohrid Agreement of 2001 did not allow to realize the idea of internal borders between ethnic Macedonians and Albanians in the state as it establishes a new constitutional concept of a multiethnic society.

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