Konrad adenauer foundation macedonia

However, the data shows that perceptions are generally neutral and that citizens do not consider Chinese diplomacy to have largely positive intentions and achievements. The concept of soft power in political theory was defined in the s and analyses the ability of the state to persuade others to do what it wants without the use of force or coercion.

In the short term, soft power is used through the publication of news, in the medium term strategic messaging is implemented and in the long term lasting relationships are built. These are all among the main tools it uses for influence. Translation and publishing activities are being stepped up in this direction. Christopher Nehring, who teaches at St Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia and has studied the impact of Chinese soft power in Bulgaria, talks about similar methods to those used in North Macedonia.

China is presented in a positive way through cultural programmes. There are two institutes in the country, in Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo, where there are non-transparent discussions and publications on funding and propaganda, says Nering. With the Belt and Road project, China presents itself as a positive alternative to the Western liberal model, but also as a model of socialism — an alternative to the Western model of democracy.

There are several such newspapers which translate these articles and which, among other things, promote the Russian view of policy towards south-eastern Europe. Nehrin notes, however, that despite this, China receives little public and political attention in Bulgaria, while the focus is currently on Russia. How are we to understand this? In its promotional activities, Kristinovska adds, China is willingly or unwittingly conveying the idea that its socio-political model, which is that of an authoritarian one-party state, without pluralism and freedom of expression and protection of civil rights, is a model conducive to progress and economic development.

Your email address will not be published. As a life long professor, it is also good to be back in my old role, as a lecturer on political issues. I better enjoy it until you start fielding questions at me. As a professor, one of the things I never could quite understand is the phenomenon of a great number of students, that would finish their studies up until the last year, often until the last one or two exams needed for their graduation, and then just stop.

It is as if, the easier and smoother things get, the less interest we can find in completing them. This is the time when we start talking about fatigue. Even worse, we turn a complete blind eye to the incredible success we have achieved and begin concentrating more on the problems and the possibilities for failure. Why are we so averse to things going good for us?

The Balkans lately have been a constant stream of good news. Macedonia has been a country in which we no longer speak of fulfilling the necessary standards for integration. We are beginning to speak of setting the standards for our neighbors. Yet, at the same time, it is as if the integration process is getting harder and slower, not easier and faster.

Ladies and gentlemen. It is especially important for us Macedonians that the integration of our country into the Euro-Atlantic community is done on merit. We realize that it includes a significant transformation of the way of doing things in Macedonia. Macedonia needs to begin the process of negotiations to join the European Union. It is the next logical and natural step.

It is very important for us that this transformation is done on a continuous basis, with constant progress, with measurable and implementable projects. This is a way of integration, of association, through interaction. We need a learning curve, not a flat line, not repeating the same things all over and over again. Stopping the process of integration is impossible.

In time of more and more open borders, of constant interaction between the Macedonian and the European companies, citizens, the cultural, religious and educational organizations, it is futile to have another wall drawn between the countries of the European Union and the countries that are applying for membership. The administration, the bureaucracy, must not fall behind the private sector, behind the individual citizens.

Having the high ideals of United Europe interpreted through the dry and flat language of the working groups, project management and benchmark realization has not undermined the appeal of the European idea for my citizens. We are constantly reminded of this through contacts with local citizens who have the desire to live without borders, to travel and to exchange ideas and experiences.

We are constantly reminded of this by our businessmen, who are eager to show their worth at the great open marketplace next door. There is a sense of bitter sweet irony to be saying this here, at this place, at the very border, at the very place where this city was divided. The power of an idea is never stronger then at the very place where it ends.

Living for almost 20 years now, at the sidelines of a transforming, changing Europe, you would forgive our impatience. Just as East Berliners were looking over the Wall, at the place across, where Freedom was not just an abused word. Two nations that have both known tirany have a peculiar understanding for each other. We are both aware of where we are coming from.

We have witnessed events that shake the faith in mans inherent goodness. Macedonia was standing for a long time before our own equivalent of a Wall. The allure of the ideals, of the prosperity and freedom which we can see over the border, gives us the right to say that we must never have cities, countries, people divided anymore. You know much better then me that closing the border, isolation is not an effective way of interaction.

Out of a lack of communication, prejudices are born. Once these prejudices are set in place, it can take a generation of work to have them removed. Therefore, the strength of Europe is not in its tanks, or the barbed wire. It lies in its ideas, in its values. Ministry of foreign affairs and Foreign Trade. Ministry of Finance.

Konrad adenauer foundation macedonia

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