Antonio Milososki, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Macedonian Diplomatic Bulletin
This year for the first time we set up the Day of the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – 29 April. On this day in 1969, the Bureau for Foreign Relations, which can be considered a precursor of today’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, was established.
The fact that we chose the day when the Bureau for Foreign Relations was established in times in which our country existed in different national and social frames shows that we find the continuity of the service important. We are aware that nothing begins and ends with us. Also, we do not want to forget those who were the first, whether known and unknown, in the early stages of the Macedonian struggle for affirmation and statehood, and who promoted with their work the truth about Macedonia before the international public. Acknowledging the achievements of all the generations of Macedonian diplomats, I would like to say that I was particularly happy to see our retired employees, people who made an immeasurable contribution to the creation of the Macedonian diplomatic service, taking active part in the celebration of the Day of the MFA.
The Day of the MFA is an exceptional opportunity to remind ourselves of who we are, where we come from and where we are headed for. Recalling the past, we want this day of ours - the Day of the MFA – to be a kind of a contribution to the future. In a time when our country is going through the critical stages of its path toward full integration with the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, it is truly encouraging to know that people committed to their profession and prepared for successful dealing with the challenges set before us by the strategic priorities of our foreign policy work in the Macedonian diplomatic service, which is on the frontline of this process. Diplomacy is by all means undergoing a process of perpetual changes, while staff renewal imposes itself as an imperative of the time. This emphasizes even more the need for continuous promotion of professionalism, engagement, initiative and efficiency in doing one’s job. Bearing in mind these principles, on the very Day of the MFA, for the first time this year we introduced a token, yet significant award, Young Diplomat of the Year, by which we want to demonstrate that in diplomacy, as well as in any other profession, quality is a visible and measurable value. We want to set the stage for a kind of self-selection of top diplomats, who will bear the brunt of the service in the coming years, exclusively based on merit. We also want to send a message to all those making their first steps in diplomacy that the key to success in their careers lies in their own hands.
The Ministry at the head of which I stand is a fusion of youth and experience. If I may allow myself a personal impression, I would say that it is exciting to work with people whose years of working experience exceed my age and at the same time to partake in the process of creating and launching new generations who are to be the mainstays of the Macedonian diplomacy in the united Europe. The Day of the MFA is a day of all of us, from the youngest to the eldest, from the attaché to the Minister. Therefore, let this day be a contribution to our joint rejoicing at the future successes of the Macedonian diplomacy.
