Koziryev Among Friends

After the Russian Foreign Minister Andrey Koziryev was urgently recalled to Russia, thereby postponing his visit to Macedonia during his tour of the former YU republics some ten days ago, his arrival in Skoplje on May 26 was a hit. People present at his meetings with the Macedonian officials officials say that "it has been a long time since such open and friendly talks were conducted, without a trace of misunderstanding and without asking for any preconditions for the establishment of good relations between two sovereign states".

The Minister's postponed visit has been interpreted as "yielding under pressure" and "a result of the complicated scenarios concerning the non-recognition of Macedonia".

Mr. Koziryev's visit - say local diplomatic circles - is as important to Russia as it is to Macedonia. President Gligorov himself stressed during his toast to his honorable guest: "By its recognition of Macedonia the Russian Federation has shown impartiality and understanding of the world today, of peace and cooperation, of the new European architecture". Within the "new European architecture" Mr. Koziryev has, on behalf of his government, said that Russia is counting on the independent and sovereign Macedonian state. He also added that "relations between Russia and Macedonia are (...) oriented towards future".

Since during his stay Mr. Koziryev did not present any official document concerning the recognition, he was asked at a press conference to give a precise answer about whether his words can be understood as a firm decision on the part of Russia with regards to the international status of Macedonia. He said that "as far as an official note is concerned ... it is simply a question of paper work".

Although Mr. Koziryev's meeting with Archbishop Gavrilo, head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, was not planned, they met in Skoplje and had long talks. This was understood as a direct answer of Russia to the letter of the Greek Patriarch addressed to Mr. Yeltzin in which the Patriarch reminds the Russian authorities of the traditional relations between the two Orthodox nations throughout history following Russia's announcement that it would recognize Macedonia.

One way or another, the Russian recognition of Macedonia - as opposed to the endless West European and American procrastination - is having an encouraging effect on the political climate in Macedonia, in that it now looks probable that a number of other states which still take Russia seriously may soon follow its example.