Parliamentary Assembly Session: 4 to 8 October 2010

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Mr.Nikola Gruevski addressed

the PACE: ''Our multi-ethnic reality is a model for Europe''

Ethnic and religious co-existence founded on a strong commitment to intercultural dialogue has made Macedonia a ''model for Europe'' said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. ''Macedonia was an example in Europe of how a great number of various ethnic groups live peacefully without threatening each other,'' he said in his 7 October speech to the Parliamentary Assembly. The Prime Minister reviewed the priorities accepted by the Republic of Macedonia during its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. He declared that social cohesion was a key element of an inclusive democracy, underpinned by human rights protection and the acceptance of social obligations and urged ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.