Republic of Macedonia
During the reign of Tito in Yugoslavia, Macedonia was one of the six republics constituting the Yugoslav federation. Of these six, Macedonia was the poorest. The largest ethnic group is Macedonians, who are closely related to Serbs and Bulgarians.
Population: 2.1 million
Area: 25 713 km2
GDP (PPP): 19,46 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 9 400 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 1.3 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state: Gjorge Ivanov
Head of government: Nikola Gruevski (VMRO-DPMNE)
Ethnic Albanians constitute between one fourth and one third of the population, which has given rise to tensions.
In 2004, the Republic of Macedonia applied for EU-membership and it was granted EU-candidate status in 2005. As of the 2006 and 2008 parliamentary elections, Macedonia is ruled by a coalition led by Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity/ Vnatrešna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizacija – Demokratska Partija za Makedonsko Nacionalno Edinstvo (VMRO-DPMNE).
Since 2007, the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with VMRO-DPMNE. Nikola Gruevski, the VMRO-DPMNE party leader, forms the government together with the Democratic Party of Albanians and a few smaller parties. The government is driving a reform agenda that has been successful so far. Among the problems addressed by this agenda are corruption, organized crime, unemployment and the economy. Concurrently, measures are being taken in preparation of eventual EU and NATO membership.
Since Macedonia gained its independence there has been an ongoing dispute with Greece over the country’s name and its national insignias. According to Greece, these are of Hellenic origin and convey expansionistic ideas. A compromise was reached when the Macedonian flag was altered and the country agreed to be recognized internationally as FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). However, despite these appeasements, Greece blocked the Macedonian bid to enter NATO in 2008.
The work of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation in Macedonia is focused on giving women and youth politicians the tools to advance within exisiting party structures. Another project aims to encourage the Balkan States to strive for EU-membership. This is an arduous process and there are plenty of opportunities for the Balkan States to discuss problems and solutions. One such international forum is provided by the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation.
