OSCE Chairman pays tribute to the late President Trajkovski

SKOPJE, 5 March 2004 - The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, paid tribute to the late President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Boris Trajkovski, after attending the funeral service in Skopje on Friday.

Following is the full text of the statement by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office:

"President Trajkovski was a decent and honourable man, a person of integrity. He was a man of deep and solid convictions and religious beliefs. He stood firmly for Macedonia's independence and was a respected and able leader for all Macedonian citizens, especially during some of the very difficult times the country experienced in its recent history.

President Trajkovski can be credited with preventing a civil war. He had his own vision for his country but his most important message was one of reconciliation, progress and unity. He was respected by all.

I, personally, am profoundly saddened by the premature death of a man whom I greatly admired.

During the 1999 Kosovo crisis, President Trajkovski worked tirelessly to maintain peace and stability throughout the region. He was an unfailing and reliable interlocutor for Macedonia's friends and international partners. He put the country firmly on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.

The late President was always supportive of the OSCE, of previous Chairmen-in-Office, especially in 2001 and 2002. He supported the work of OSCE Heads of Mission in Skopje. His inclusive and non-partisan approach was essential to the acceptance and adoption of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

This is a tragic time for the country, but we have faith in its institutions and in its people.

President Trajkovski has left his imprint on this country. We expect Macedonia to continue on the path he forged, however challenging the future may be.

Macedonia is a solid and modern democracy. The OSCE will continue to support Macedonia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Together with our partners in the international community, we will continue to encourage Macedonia's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

On behalf of all OSCE participating States, I offer my deepest sympathy to President Trajkovski's wife, his son and daughter, and all the people of Macedonia."