Europe Day celebrated across the country

The 2009 Europe Day celebration included various activities and partners which were announced to the media at a special press Press-Conference which took place at the EU InfoCentre on 24 April 2009.

The main event targeting the general public was the multi-media European Happening which this year took place at the main square in Tetovo (9 May). The Member State Embassies represented in the country provided promotional materials to the schools in order to facilitate the preparation of the presentations to the Tetovo students. The whole event was accompanied by a music concert including famous Macedonian singers. At the European Happening, Ambassador Fouéré addressed the citizens of Tetovo welcoming the presence of students who, as he said, enriched the manifestation with their innovative approach to represent all 27 members of the Union. In addition to the main happening in Tetovo, similar gatherings were organised by all the EU Info Points throughout the country (located in the municipalities of Kumanovo, Gostivar, Kocani, Bitola, Kavadarci and Veles).

Panel discussions were held in collaboration with the municipalities of Sveti Nikole (23 April), Berovo (4 May), Krusevo (6 May), Resen (7 May), Gostivar (11 May) and Valandovo (18 May). The debates involved participation of the Ambassador, mayors, experts, NGO representatives and young people who held discussions on the following topics: 1) "IPA Assistance – Opportunities for Sv. Nikole municipality", 2) "The role of the business community and the NGO sector in the EU integration process", 3) "The influence of the economic crisis on the Western Balkans", 4) "Decentralisation and regional development" and 5) "SMEs, entrepreneurship, innovation". The seminars were attended by representatives of the municipalities, the business community representatives, civil society organisations and the general public. As part of the visits to these municipalities, the Ambassador held meetings with the newly elected mayors and visited projects funded by the European Union (Development of Cultural Tourism for the Osogovo Region; Cross-border project with Bulgaria: Maleshevia Days; Revitalisation of the M5 Road in Bitola; Promoting Tourism in the area of Prespa Lake; Opening of the Municipal Service Centre in Valandovo). He also held lectures to students in primary schools and universities.

In order to strengthen and expand the EU Information Network in the country, the Delegation opened two new EUi-s at the University "Sveti Kliment Ohridski" in Bitola (7 May) and the SEE University in Tetovo (9 May). An info corner will also be opened at the biggest library in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – the National University Library in Skopje – together with the Vice Prime Minister Ivica Bocevski (2 June).

Ambassador Fouéré and other representatives of the EU Mission took part in other events organised by the European Movement: the European Flag Day when both the EU and the Macedonian flag were taken to the top of Vodno (26 April); the gathering of Macedonian Universities in Bitola where a competition in oratorical skills on "The Students unite Europe and Macedonia" took place (6 May), and the traditional Solemn Academy where awards for best oratorical skills and best European achievement were awarded in the presence of representatives of the government and the international community (9 May). This year, the award went into the hands of the world-wide known pianist Simon Trpcevski.

This year, again, the Skopje Centre Municipality organised the race of waiters and waitresses on 8 May in the main pedestrian zone of Skopje. The event included a musical programme and participation of primary school students who presented the cultural heritage and its link to the European Union on several stands.

A novelty this year was the organisation of a competition for high school students 'Express yourself through the media' by the Skopje School for Journalism and Public Relations which included production of audio-visual and printed materials (TV products, photos and posters). The topics of the competition were linked to the European integration of young people as well as the celebration of Europe Day. The Ambassador presented the awards at a ceremony which took place at the Skopje InfoCentre where most of the awarded works were exhibited.

On 8 May, the European Business Association organised the "European Day of the Entrepreneur" where representatives of the business community, the government, international and local experts had the possibility to discuss about the development of entrepreneurship as part of the European integration process. This year, the European Business Association organised a special event in Bitola - the 1st European SME week - as part of the EU campaign to promote entrepreneurship across Europe and to inform entrepreneurs about support available for them at European, national and local level.

The traditional Europe Day Reception took place at the magnificent Kursumli An in the old part of the city with over 500 guests representing the government, including the Prime Minister, the Parliament, local authorities, international community, civil society, business community, academicians, media, etc (8 May). This year's Reception was dedicated to the celebration of the 20 + 5 anniversaries.

Similarly to 2004 when the biggest EU enlargement was celebrated, the Delegation supported the traditional May Opera Evenings organised by the Macedonian Opera and Ballet in order to mark the 5th anniversary of this enlargement (09 May).

The Skopje Marathon remains to be among the most successful activities in the Europe Day programme. Its objective is to increase the awareness about the importance of taking part in sports' activities and alerting about the need for stronger environment protection. As from this year, the Skopje Marathon has officially become part of the International Association of marathons and is, now, recognised by the International Association of Athletic Federations.

One of the most successful events of this year's celebrations was the panel discussion: "From the Fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 to the biggest EU enlargement in 2004" where the ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia spoke about the experience of their countries in relation to the accession into the EU. Their host – Ambassador Fouéré- spoke about the idea behind the European project and the integration of the Western Balkans in the European Union. This occasion was used to present the message of Commissioner Olli Rehn on Europe Day and the European perspective for the region. The Czech Embassy provided beautiful photographs of the city of Prague which were exhibited at the InfoCentre.

Ambassador Fouéré also took part in the traditional Annual Matriculation Dance(15 May) and made a presentation on Europe Day for the Skopje associations of pensioners (8 May).

The European Young Federalists (JEF) organised a European Green House at the main Skopje square in order to raise the awareness about the protection of environment (16 May).