Madam, - The tragic death of Macedonia's President Boris Trajkovski is a cause of both sadness and concern for all friends of this small, courageous nation. His critical personal role in bringing about the Ohrid Agreement, which ended the inter-communal conflict of 2001, and his commitment to building an inclusive political system, respecting the rights and cultures of both Slav and Albanian communities, will be long remembered.
From 1997 to 2000, I was director for Ireland, Denmark, Lithuania and Macedonia at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In that capacity, I had the honour of leading a visit by EBRD board colleagues to Skopje and Ohrid in April 2000. Our group was received by President Trajkovski, with whom we had a detailed and positive discussion on Macedonia's long-term political, economic and social development.
My term of office in the EBRD ended in July 2000. The highlight of my final board meeting was an address by President Trajkovski who was on an official visit to London. I had the privilege of welcoming him formally to the meeting. The president was an engaging personality who effectively communicated a strong message of Macedonia's strategy for transition from its communist history to eventual EU membership.
His death, at a critical moment in Balkans history, must give rise to concern about the stability of Macedonia and of the wider region. It is to be hoped that awareness of Boris Trajkovsi's vision of a truly democratic Macedonia will illuminate the choice of his successor and that his deeply felt European convictions will be reciprocated by the Union in terms of practical support and assistance in the challenging period ahead. - Yours, etc.,
TONY BROWN,
Bettyglen,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.