Gruevski: Obstructions are our challenge that we must deal with
Saturday, July 06, 2013 4:49 PM
Skopje, 6 July 2013(MIA) - Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in the interview with Netpress, which will be published in two parts, speaks about effects, intention and goal of the road shows. He assessed the last visit to China as successful, underlying that new investments and signing of agreement with Russia for South Stream are expected. He also pointed out that Macedonia will continue to participate in NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and Macedonia’s NATO and EU membership remain a top priority.
Q. You have just returned from China and in several days you will leave for Hamburg, Germany and from there to Vilnius, Lithuania. Just 10 days ago you were in Vienna at the European People’s Party Summit, and afterwards you visited Estonia and Kaliningrad in Russia. In April you visited several towns in South America. How will you explain so frequent international activity in the past couple of years?
A. My main goal and wish is to do anything in my power to improve the living conditions in Macedonia. Oftentimes these visits are political and economic and sometime are only economical or only political. Many of them are connected for attracting investors that will open new jobs in Macedonia, establish or boost relations, friendships with countries of the international community.
Q. A company from Detroit announced to invest in Macedonia. What is the response?
A. The response is somewhere weaker somewhere better, it depends from many factors. One of the factors is the logistics that we have in a certain country, in terms of preparation of the event, informing the companies and persuading them to come to the event. For example Mike Zafirovski helped us a lot by opening gates and strong recommendation to large companies whose owners and managers are his friends. In India for example besides the promoter and the embassy, Subrata Roy helped us a lot who invited the most influential people at the country’s presentation.
In Turkey, we have huge political support by PM Erdogan and engagement of the Turkish Economic Chamber. Last year we had presentations in China where key support was the economic chamber and the authorities. Everywhere is different. Somewhere we have 200 or 300 even 400 present companies, but sometime there are 30 or 40 companies. In Detroit we have visited only three plants and one of them already announced its investment in Macedonia. The number of the present companies and quality of the companies are important as well as their selection by those who invited them.
Q. How do you assess the last visit to China?
A. The last visit to China was successful and useful. We have met the new Chinese President and the new Prime Minister. The meeting was also attended by Ministry of Trade and Deputy Foreign Minister. At the two meetings after they have heard the conditions for doing business in Macedonia they note that we need stronger promotion for what we are offering to China, before Chinese companies. What we urge is to participate in US$10 billion package given by China to Central and Eastern European countries as well as attracting Chinese companies which plan to build capacities in Europe. We have returned from this friendly country with excellent impression with a hope that the cooperation will be strengthened.
Q. The issue of not signing the South Stream gas pipeline project with Russia remains to hang in the air. Are there any changes or really the reasons for not signing the agreement are technical?
A. Finally on Friday the Russian government approved the project and announced the signing. We have very good relations with Russia which is a result of our engagement in this direction. I do not think that there any significant reasons or hidden intentions for the South Stream. Russia is a huge country and some things are moving slowly than expected. The important thing is that everything is finished and the Russian government announced this and scheduled agreement signing soon.
Q. Do you think that China and Russia are bothered by our intention of becoming NATO and EU member?
A. They have never mentioned such thing. I think they know the situation and orientation of our region, but our wish is to cooperate with all and to build excellent and friendly relations with them as EU and NATO build such relations with them. Globalisation connects countries regionally as well as an example BRIC countries or NATO member states.
Q. Do leading countries from NATO and EU oppose to opening of Macedonia's foreign policy to several countries and continents in the past years?
A. There have never been such remarks or suggestions neither direct nor indirect. We are following EU foreign policy in this direction. We all fight for better future and more quality life to our citizens. There is no cooperation without personal communication, dialogue, inter-state agreements and promotion. As US president and EU leaders visit India, China, Russia, Brazil in an attempt to do something good for their citizens, me and the government are doing the same thing.
Q. Several countries plan to continue participation in NATO-led mission in Afghanistan after 2014 in form of trainings etc, with decreased number of soldiers and policemen? What is the Macedonia’s plan in this regard?
A. Firstly I want to emphasise the role of our soldiers in Afghanistan their great job which was highly commended and it is for respect and congratulations. Macedonia will probably stay in Afghanistan after 2014 with decreased number of soldiers aimed at training Afghan security forces.
Q. In relation to EU and NATO you have said several times that we are facing with injustice. Do you remain committed to the efforts for membership?
A. The membership in the EU and the NATO besides all injustice towards us, remain our top priority. It is in the interest to Macedonia and the region as well. The obstructions we have are our challenge that we must deal with.
Q. There are many analysts asking why we want to be admitted into the EU whose future is endangered?
A. Because it is in country’s interest at the moment. I do not know whether it will be in our interest after 20, 30 or 50 years. It is not only for the structural funds but also for many other benefits that we will have as a small country in such turbulent region. I know that in these times because of many economical, political and security reasons, the membership would help Macedonia.
Q. What is the goal of the letter you have sent to Samaras?
A. Everything I wanted to say and said it in the letter. I have no additional comment. I have chosen to be politician who will openly, clearly and unambiguously send messages, without hidden intentions, political game, tricks or bluffs. I say what I mean, regardless of whether someone likes it or not.
Q. Is there any answer from Samaras?
A. Not for now. We have to wait.
Saturday, July 06, 2013 4:49 PM
Skopje, 6 July 2013(MIA) - Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in the interview with Netpress, which will be published in two parts, speaks about effects, intention and goal of the road shows. He assessed the last visit to China as successful, underlying that new investments and signing of agreement with Russia for South Stream are expected. He also pointed out that Macedonia will continue to participate in NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and Macedonia’s NATO and EU membership remain a top priority.
Q. You have just returned from China and in several days you will leave for Hamburg, Germany and from there to Vilnius, Lithuania. Just 10 days ago you were in Vienna at the European People’s Party Summit, and afterwards you visited Estonia and Kaliningrad in Russia. In April you visited several towns in South America. How will you explain so frequent international activity in the past couple of years?
A. My main goal and wish is to do anything in my power to improve the living conditions in Macedonia. Oftentimes these visits are political and economic and sometime are only economical or only political. Many of them are connected for attracting investors that will open new jobs in Macedonia, establish or boost relations, friendships with countries of the international community.
Q. A company from Detroit announced to invest in Macedonia. What is the response?
A. The response is somewhere weaker somewhere better, it depends from many factors. One of the factors is the logistics that we have in a certain country, in terms of preparation of the event, informing the companies and persuading them to come to the event. For example Mike Zafirovski helped us a lot by opening gates and strong recommendation to large companies whose owners and managers are his friends. In India for example besides the promoter and the embassy, Subrata Roy helped us a lot who invited the most influential people at the country’s presentation.
In Turkey, we have huge political support by PM Erdogan and engagement of the Turkish Economic Chamber. Last year we had presentations in China where key support was the economic chamber and the authorities. Everywhere is different. Somewhere we have 200 or 300 even 400 present companies, but sometime there are 30 or 40 companies. In Detroit we have visited only three plants and one of them already announced its investment in Macedonia. The number of the present companies and quality of the companies are important as well as their selection by those who invited them.
Q. How do you assess the last visit to China?
A. The last visit to China was successful and useful. We have met the new Chinese President and the new Prime Minister. The meeting was also attended by Ministry of Trade and Deputy Foreign Minister. At the two meetings after they have heard the conditions for doing business in Macedonia they note that we need stronger promotion for what we are offering to China, before Chinese companies. What we urge is to participate in US$10 billion package given by China to Central and Eastern European countries as well as attracting Chinese companies which plan to build capacities in Europe. We have returned from this friendly country with excellent impression with a hope that the cooperation will be strengthened.
Q. The issue of not signing the South Stream gas pipeline project with Russia remains to hang in the air. Are there any changes or really the reasons for not signing the agreement are technical?
A. Finally on Friday the Russian government approved the project and announced the signing. We have very good relations with Russia which is a result of our engagement in this direction. I do not think that there any significant reasons or hidden intentions for the South Stream. Russia is a huge country and some things are moving slowly than expected. The important thing is that everything is finished and the Russian government announced this and scheduled agreement signing soon.
Q. Do you think that China and Russia are bothered by our intention of becoming NATO and EU member?
A. They have never mentioned such thing. I think they know the situation and orientation of our region, but our wish is to cooperate with all and to build excellent and friendly relations with them as EU and NATO build such relations with them. Globalisation connects countries regionally as well as an example BRIC countries or NATO member states.
Q. Do leading countries from NATO and EU oppose to opening of Macedonia's foreign policy to several countries and continents in the past years?
A. There have never been such remarks or suggestions neither direct nor indirect. We are following EU foreign policy in this direction. We all fight for better future and more quality life to our citizens. There is no cooperation without personal communication, dialogue, inter-state agreements and promotion. As US president and EU leaders visit India, China, Russia, Brazil in an attempt to do something good for their citizens, me and the government are doing the same thing.
Q. Several countries plan to continue participation in NATO-led mission in Afghanistan after 2014 in form of trainings etc, with decreased number of soldiers and policemen? What is the Macedonia’s plan in this regard?
A. Firstly I want to emphasise the role of our soldiers in Afghanistan their great job which was highly commended and it is for respect and congratulations. Macedonia will probably stay in Afghanistan after 2014 with decreased number of soldiers aimed at training Afghan security forces.
Q. In relation to EU and NATO you have said several times that we are facing with injustice. Do you remain committed to the efforts for membership?
A. The membership in the EU and the NATO besides all injustice towards us, remain our top priority. It is in the interest to Macedonia and the region as well. The obstructions we have are our challenge that we must deal with.
Q. There are many analysts asking why we want to be admitted into the EU whose future is endangered?
A. Because it is in country’s interest at the moment. I do not know whether it will be in our interest after 20, 30 or 50 years. It is not only for the structural funds but also for many other benefits that we will have as a small country in such turbulent region. I know that in these times because of many economical, political and security reasons, the membership would help Macedonia.
Q. What is the goal of the letter you have sent to Samaras?
A. Everything I wanted to say and said it in the letter. I have no additional comment. I have chosen to be politician who will openly, clearly and unambiguously send messages, without hidden intentions, political game, tricks or bluffs. I say what I mean, regardless of whether someone likes it or not.
Q. Is there any answer from Samaras?
A. Not for now. We have to wait.
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