OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek visited Skopje on 8 and 9 November 2012, to discuss with the authorities the integration process in the country.

The High Commissioner’s visit to Skopje took place the day after the launch of his Ljubljana Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies in Slovenia.

Among the integration issues Vollebaek discussed in Skopje was the Government’s progress on implementing its integrated education strategy. The High Commissioner said he was concerned that the process to integrate society was stalling. He advised the authorities in Skopje to address inter-ethnic challenges in order to avoid increased polarization, which could undermine long-term stability and security. The High Commissioner underlined the need for the country to develop a strategy that would complement the Ohrid Framework Agreement to strengthen inter-ethnic relations.

During his visit, Vollebaek met with Defence Minister Fatmir Besimi, Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki and Education and Science Minister Pance Kralev.