Macedonian Center for International Cooperation 

Statement on the tragic loss
of Mr. Boris Trajkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia

"The Balkans Leader Who Did Not Preach War"¹ 

The Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) in these moments of mourning for the tragic loss of Mr. Boris Trajkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia and his associates and fellow-travellers, sympathises with the grief and the pain of the families. This tragedy is a great loss for the people of Macedonia and for the region.

Mr. Boris Trajkovski was a man of faith and love for the people and for his motherland Macedonia. Indisputably, he left a mark in history striving for peace and non-violence, cohabitation and integration, respect for all. He was unique in his openness and his readiness to listen to the opinion of others.

Mr. Boris Trajkovski was willing to cooperate and provided active support for the civic sector. One will remember his contribution in initiating inter-religious dialogue in 1996 and 2001/02; his support to humanitarian relief efforts in 1999 and 2001; his support to the NGO Fair – Forum of the Civic Society of Macedonia 2001-2003; his support to the persons with special needs and the “Vulkan” award in 2003; and many other efforts in supporting various civic initiatives and the civic sector. “My political philosophy would not have been complete, unless I had worked in the civic sector until 1997”, Mr. Boris Trajkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia said, at the NGO Fair – 3rd Forum of the Civic Society in Macedonia in November 2003. Thus, Mr. Boris Trajkovski was an important supporter of the civic society, the democracy and the European integration of Macedonia.

Mr. Boris Trajkovski was at times not understood by others. It may be because he was a Balkans leader who did not preach war.

His last strive was for Macedonia and the region to undertake the key step in process of European integration – to join the European Union.

The memories of Mr. Boris Trajkovski will be kept alive through continuing on the joint path.


Skopje, 27th of February, 2004                                               Saso Klekovski
                                                                                                 Executive Director



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¹ Title from a Dutch newspaper