Sunday, 21 Aug. 2011 – Canberra, Macedonia – On Thursday, August 18, 2011, the Australia Macedonia Parliamentary Friendship Group in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia hosted a series of events at Parliament House in Canberra to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Macedonian Independence.
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), represented by Australian Operations Director Ordan Andreevski, Canberra Regional Representative Martin Nikoloski and Sydney Regional Representative Tony Joseski, was pleased to join for the discussions to improve and strengthen Australian-Macedonian bilateral relations.
During his speech Macedonian Ambassador Pero Stojanovski reflected on the significant progress that Macedonia has made in transforming itself into a modern European democratic state and market economy on its path to full Euro-Atlantic integration. “The Macedonian diaspora has always had a close connection with their home country. They have invested in property, businesses, families, social capital and relationships with people and institutions. In the last 20 years, Macedonia and its diaspora have developed a new, closer and more meaningful relationship based on mutual respect, synergy and strategic partnerships” said the Ambassador.
Ambassador Stojanovski noted that “organisations like the United Macedonian Diaspora and the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee and others have played a positive and significant role over the years in working in partnership with the Australian Parliament, with the Macedonian Parliament and with the media in raising awareness about key issues of concern to the community and to the bilateral relationship. Today’s celebration is testimony of their great work.” The Ambassador concluded by inviting the Australian Government and Parliament to implement the Roadmap for Advancing Australian Macedonian Relations including visits by Australian Ministers and Members of Parliament to Macedonia and vice versa.
UMD Director of Australian Operations Ordan Andreevski stated that the best way to advance the bilateral relationship is through innovation and action: “There is a need for regular high quality conversations and high impact projects involving key stakeholders at all levels.”
Jason Kambovski, on behalf of the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee, reminded the federal members of parliament that “Australia must stop discriminating against the Australian-Macedonian community by abandoning the prefix ‘slav’ which was introduced as a directive by the Keating Government in the early 1990’s.”
The official lunch was attended by Australia Macedonia Parliamentary Friendship Group members including Stephen Jones, Luke Simpkins, Philip Ruddock, Bill Shorten, Michael Keenan, Ken Wyatt, Laurie Ferguson, Dr. Mike Kelly, Wyatt Roy, and Peter Slipper. Associate Professor Mile Terziovski from the University of Melbourne and Associate Professor Danny Ben-Moshe from Victoria University also attended. Young Macedonian professionals from Adelaide, Canberra, Woolongong, Sydney and Melbourne were also present. The Macedonian Community Council of Victoria President Goran Torbakov was also in attendance.
“The momentum in Canberra is building up for positive change in support of the national interests of Australia and Macedonia, especially for regional stability in Southeast Europe,” said UMD Canberra Regional Representative Martin Nikoloski.
Media enquiries: oandreevski@umdiaspora.org Mob. 0438 385 466
———————————–
UMD NEEDS YOUR HELP TODAY TO CONTINUE ITS IMPORTANT WORK!!!
Here are a few ways you can help:
– Become a Member of UMD by clicking HERE; or
– Become a monthly donor to UMD, $20, $50 goes a long way, or make a one-time donation by clicking HERE; or
– Pledge your support to become a Macedonian Companion (donating $1,000 a year for 3 years, comes out to $84 a month) by e-mailing UMD Vice President Aleksandar Mitreski at amitreski@umdiaspora.org ; (Learn more about the Macedonian Companions Program by clicking HERE)
– Buy a book on Macedonian history or the A Name is A Name DVD through UMD’s Amazon Store and donate it to your nearest public library by clicking HERE. (UMD can earn up to 15% from Amazon for each purchase)
– Conduct all your searches through UMD’s Yahoo-powered search engine by clicking HERE. (UMD earns a penny from every search conducted)
– Please Pass this website link to every Macedonian you know! Please Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn this e-mail!
Have you seen some of the videos or pictures from the 3rd Annual UMD Global Conference this past June 23-25, 2011 in Washington, D.C.? Please click HERE.