Luke Simpkins (Cowan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ten years ago today, the president of the republic of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski died in a plane crash. The crash occurred in thick fog in southern Bosnia. The President is remembered as presiding over a NATO-brokered peace deal in 2001 that prevented armed clashes with ethnic Albanian guerillas, in the mountain bordering Kosovo, turning into a full-blown civil war. At the time of his death, he was highly regarded. Europe minister from the UK Denis MacShane praised the even-handed spirit of compromise he brought to the job, saying he was one of the best leaders in the western Balkans. The UK foreign secretary Jack Straw said:

Thanks to his efforts Macedonia is firmly on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration. The UK remains committed to helping Macedonia along this path.

Jack Straw made that statement in 2004. The greatest tragedy for the people of the republic of Macedonia is that Europe and NATO have not allowed the republic entry. On this the 10th anniversary of former President Trajkovski's death, it is about time Europe and NATO admitted the republic of Macedonia and I call upon them to do so.