General Assembly Session 53 meeting 28

Mr. Calovski (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

We have before us a very important and useful document by the Secretary-General on the work of our Organization. It contains important information, observations and, most welcome of all, views on the current international situation and international cooperation. It also reflects on the future role and priorities of our Organization and on the difficulties it is facing at present. All this is very helpful to all Member States, particularly those that cannot have cannot have large delegations in the various United Nations bodies, including the General Assembly. I am sure that the Secretary General's report, together with the reports prepared by the Secretariat on each agenda item, will help delegations in their work during the present session of the General Assembly.

When I mention other reports prepared by the Secretariat for the present session of the General Assembly, I have particularly the "Annotated preliminary list of items to be included in the provisional agenda of the fifty-third regular session of the General Assembly" (A/53/100). This report, assembled in an exemplary and professional manner by the Secretariat, is extremely important for the preparations of our delegations, both before the start of the session and during its work. The fact that each representative keeps this important document on his or her working table, together with the United Nations Charter and the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, illustrates its importance and usefulness.

The Republic of Macedonia agrees with the Secretary General's statement in the report that "nations large and small are grappling with new responsibilities and new constraints" and his complaint that "unpredictability and surprise have become almost commonplace". (A/53/1, para. 1)

In our view, the paramount task of the fifty-third session of the General Assembly is to illuminate our vision of the twenty-first century of international relations and cooperation and to reduce the uncertainties and the surprises. This must occur in all fields of our activities, be they political, economic or social, as well as in the field of strengthening observance of international law. In order to achieve results in this respect, the General Assembly's activities should be focused and well coordinated with those of the other United Nations organs. Here, the role of Secretary General is of crucial importance. We are happy to note that he has been successfully discharging his duty to the benefit of our Organization and of all Member States.

To improve the future international situation, many activities should be initiated and carried out within the United Nations, in the other international bodies and at the national level. The globalization of the planet forces us to find global solutions. In that process, which should be rational, the establishment of international and national priorities is unavoidable. The fact is that small countries, whether in transition or not, are those most adversely affected by the worsening of international relations and by the growing uncertainties of the present. From this perspective, one can successfully argue that the priority of the present session of the General Assembly should be the prevention of all conflicts, the resolution of those currently taking place and the enhancement of world economic cooperation, taking into account not only the larger economies but also the difficulties of the small and weak economies of many developing countries and countries in transition.

In view of the nature of my country's foreign policy, I would like to stress the importance of the Secretary-General's statement in paragraphs 43 and 44 of his report. The deployment of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) on our northern and western borders since 1992, when the Republic of Macedonia was not a member of the United Nations, should be seen as a success story of preventive diplomacy by the United Nations, the Secretary-General and the Security Council. Any effort to help the stability of our region is important and highly appreciated.

At present the stability of our region depends very much on developments in Kosovo and Metohija. Just a few days ago, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia stressed, from this rostrum, the urgency of finding a political solution. It is high time to proceed in that direction.

Since I am mentioning the problems in my country's region, it is important for me to stress two matters that are of serious concern to my country and to other countries of the region at the present moment. The first is the integration of our economies into the economy of the European Union; the second is our full-fledged membership in the Euro-Atlantic institutions. Advancement on both of these priorities would immensely help the stability of our region. Hesitation, however, could generate uncertainties and problems.

Mr. Calovski (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

Throughout his report, the Secretary-General reflects on topics of the day, on the new roles that may be required of the multilateral organizations and on what kind of United Nations we would like to have in the coming century. We share his view that the proposed Millennium Assembly is a useful and adequate opportunity to come up with the expected vision. In the endeavour to agree on a common vision, the mutual interests of and respect for all Member States should be taken into account. The implementation of the United Nations Charter should be the aim. The relevance of the United Nations should be enhanced, particularly that of the General Assembly and the Security Council. The culture of multilateralism should also be enhanced. The maturity of agreement should be the basis for decisions. Each economy should be helped to grow. The observance of international law should be strengthened. The goal, of course, should be peace, development, justice and enhanced international cooperation. The world in the twenty-first century will be difficult to imagine without a United Nations that is more relevant.

The reform of the United Nations should therefore continue. The priority should be to strengthen the relevance of the General Assembly in world affairs by adopting a new arrangement, one that is more effective, more rational, more democratic and less costly than the present arrangement. A new arrangement, enabling all Member States, large or small, to participate in and contribute to the result-oriented activities of the General Assembly, is a clear necessity.

My delegation is pleased with the way the Secretary-General's report is structured; this enhances its usefulness. We know the priorities of the Secretary-General's agenda. I am pleased to state that we share his views and expectations for our deliberations in the coming months and in 1999.

On this occasion I would like to make a few brief observations. In our view, it is time that we started to consider the implications of conventional armaments and armed forces for international peace and security. Among other developments, the production of conventional arms, particularly offensive weapons and small arms, is increasing; the arms trade is increasing; illicit trafficking is increasing; and military forces are becoming larger. These are very unhealthy developments from the standpoint of the need to help maintain international peace and security. Each country has the right to have sufficient weapons for its national defence. However, when it has more than it needs, that becomes a security problem for the region and for neighbouring countries.

Transparency must be enhanced, and cooperative arrangements should be supported. In that respect, I would like to mention that the Republic of Macedonia has ratified the Ottawa Convention on landmines. We consider that Convention to be a first and very important step by the international community against the abuse of conventional weapons.

Terrorism is a subject which requires our immediate attention. To condemn terrorism in all its aspects and manifestations is not enough. The present international and national efforts against terrorism should be enhanced everywhere. By fighting terrorism we are at the same time fighting illicit drug-trafficking, money-laundering and various social ills. The establishment of the International Criminal Court will also help anti-terrorist activities. We are in favour of concluding a legally binding international instrument against terrorism.

Growth and sustainable development are essential for the eradication of poverty and for the improvement of the political, economic and social situation in every country, developed or developing. Among other things, the enhancement of democratization, the observance of the rule of law and the observance of human rights very much depend on the success or failure of this process.

We are therefore pleased that in his report the Secretary-General elaborates his views on many aspects of development. From our perspective, what he says in paragraphs 110 and 112 need to be particularly emphasized. Enabling countries to be effectively and beneficially integrated into the global economy is in everyone's interest. Nobody can benefit from the marginalization of any country in the world economy. We would like to fully endorse what he says in paragraph 234. It is true that globalization is an irreversible process. It is also true that it is a manageable phenomenon. The task, therefore, should be to harness its positive potential.

I would like to conclude by expressing the great satisfaction of my delegation with both the form and the content of the Secretary-General's report. We will use it as an important guide in our activities at the present session of the General Assembly.