AUE-FON was a host of the conference BGMK2013 “Civic contribution for building trust, unity and alliance with Bulgaria”

The conference was attended by the Prime Minister of Republic of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovachevski, members of the Parliament of Republic of North Macedonia, member of the European Parliament Ilhan Kuchuk, the ambassador of Republic of Bulgaria in our country Angel Angelov, the Minister of Local Self Gouverment Goran Milevski, the rector of the American University of Europe –  FON, Biljana Puleska Janusevka, the vice-rector of the University “Cyril and Methodius” in Veliko Trnovo, the president of AUE-FON, Sefer Canoski, Mirko Palangurski,  as well as several representatives of local government from North Macedonia and Bulgaria. 

“My intention and that of my friend and colleague, Prime Minister Petkov, is to open the widest field for collaboration among a big number of affected sides in social life. This civic contribution, the academy’s contribution and the collaboration of the high education institutions are one important element of that process. It is true that the writing of the new pages of the relations between the two countries is on the highest level, on the level of Governments. But, me and the Prime Minister took the initiative to have inclusive conversations, from the bottom up. That is, the projects for promotion of the collaboration and the friendship between the people of both countries should come from those who are directly affected for them and who will be directly obligated for their implementation. 

I am glad that in the same week after the intergovernmental session, we already have a gathering attended by the academic community, professors and students and exchange of opinions and knowledge for what is modern in society and what can bring a new impulse in the relations between both countries and a new value in terms in improving the quality of the performances of our students and their willingness to work and collaborate. That confirms that is the right direction, that two neighboring countries need to talk and that conversation needs to lead to building trust that will bring results on a political field for promoting both the collaboration and the political and social processes” said Prime minister Dimitar Kovachevski at today’s opening of the conference BGMK2030 “Civic contribution for building trust, unity and alliance with Bulgaria”

“Higher education has never been more useful for the individual and for the society of one country in general. The rising rate of people with higher education seems to be one of the key factors for improving the quality of life of people and advancing global economy. Education pushes us towards bigger goals and values of life, encourages us to reach our potential, teaches us to respect and enrich our culture, our spirit, our values and everything that categorizes us as people. That is exactly why AUE-FON is always open to interdisciplinary and international collaboration, exchange of experiences and knowledge and a professional and career development of its students as functional individuals who will contribute to the development of society and intercultural dialogue", said the Rector of the American University of Europe-FON, Puleska-Janushevska at the opening of the conference.

The Rapporteur of the European Parliament of North Macedonia Ilhan Kuchuk at today's panel discussion stressed that it is especially important that the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski directly contributes to the implementation of the Agreement on friendship, good neighborhood and cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, because article 4, section 2 states that "The two parties to a contract will assist in maintaining contacts between the local authorities and the citizens of both countries.

According to him, Bulgarian-Macedonian relations have no alternative for the region and have great potential, not because of history or politics, but primarily because of the people, ordinary people, can communicate and understand each other freely, without using foreign languages and without intermediators. And as soon as you can understand someone, you can listen to them and build a close relationship based on shared aspirations for a better life, without borders, in the European Union, equal to the Germans, the French and the Spanish.

The President of the American University of Europe-FON, Mr. Sefer Canoski, who has 20 years of experience in private higher education, at the conference pointed out the need for transformation and the need for new directions in which education should move. He pointed out the benefits of the necessary transformations, the importance and role of education in society, while emphasizing the small amounts intended for the development of science and research as a major problem in our country. To this, Canoski added that the University AUE-FON with its transformation follows the agenda of UN2030, emphasizing that we are facing a generational choice - moving in an unsustainable way or a radical change of course.

"Our homeland is a landlocked country, we have lower wages and standards compared to the region, we are facing a constant outflow of young minds and that is why it is necessary to find a way to improve education, which is the first pillar that will lead us forward. Cooperation with neighboring countries, international cooperation is more than necessary in the development of science and education," pointed out Mr. Canoski in his address in the conference and asked all factors to jointly adopt a long-term twenty-year strategy of education, where young people will be at the center of education and will be the future advocates of justice and fairness, improving the economy and advancing the tech industry. Only with a good education system, with educated children we will have a chance for a better future.

After a joint government meeting in Sofia, the collaboration now continues locally at a university level. This is a contribution of the liberals to the rapprochement and strengthening of relations at the local level but also at an educational level” said LDP President and Minister of Local Self-Government Goran Milevski.

Milevski added that all political parties and other social, cultural and educational factors should continue on this path.

"We, as municipalities in Macedonia, should take the experience from Bulgaria for projects that will be of great help when the negotiations with the EU will start, to meet the criteria for EU membership as soon as possible, but also to know how to use  to the maximum the pre-accessible funds. Even when the relations between the two countries were cooled, the municipalities really functioned flawlessly and worked on joint projects," Milevski said, emphasizing that the creativity of the municipalities to provide innovative projects that will mean accelerated development is very important.

“Now is not the time to be silent, neither as a young man nor as a politician, but to speak loudly about all the benefits of the common development of the two countries and the two nations that are dreaming of a better future, a better standard of living and regional and economic development." said Monika Zajkova - MP and Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party

According to Zajkova, there are many countries in the world that have had conflicts with each other and we should learn from their experiences and get to work, to use the geostrategic position for further development of the road structure, tourism and cross-border collaboration.

"To use the cooperation between civil society and youth associations. That will help us in the development of education, student mobility and of course creating conditions where young people will develop a desire to stay at home and contribute to a better future for both countries," said Zajkova at a civic conference organized with the idea of encouraging debate for the current situation, challenges and opportunities for civic contribution in building trust, unity and alliance between the two countries.

 

The conference was attended by the Prime Minister of Republic of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovachevski, members of the Parliament of Republic of North Macedonia, member of the European Parliament Ilhan Kuchuk, the ambassador of Republic of Bulgaria in our country Angel Angelov, the Minister of Local Self Gouverment Goran Milevski, the rector of the American University of Europe –  FON, Biljana Puleska Janusevka, the vice-rector of the University “Cyril and Methodius” in Veliko Trnovo, the president of AUE-FON, Sefer Canoski, Mirko Palangurski,  as well as several representatives of local government from North Macedonia and Bulgaria. 

“My intention and that of my friend and colleague, Prime Minister Petkov, is to open the widest field for collaboration among a big number of affected sides in social life. This civic contribution, the academy’s contribution and the collaboration of the high education institutions are one important element of that process. It is true that the writing of the new pages of the relations between the two countries is on the highest level, on the level of Governments. But, me and the Prime Minister took the initiative to have inclusive conversations, from the bottom up. That is, the projects for promotion of the collaboration and the friendship between the people of both countries should come from those who are directly affected for them and who will be directly obligated for their implementation. 

I am glad that in the same week after the intergovernmental session, we already have a gathering attended by the academic community, professors and students and exchange of opinions and knowledge for what is modern in society and what can bring a new impulse in the relations between both countries and a new value in terms in improving the quality of the performances of our students and their willingness to work and collaborate. That confirms that is the right direction, that two neighboring countries need to talk and that conversation needs to lead to building trust that will bring results on a political field for promoting both the collaboration and the political and social processes” said Prime minister Dimitar Kovachevski at today’s opening of the conference BGMK2030 “Civic contribution for building trust, unity and alliance with Bulgaria”

“Higher education has never been more useful for the individual and for the society of one country in general. The rising rate of people with higher education seems to be one of the key factors for improving the quality of life of people and advancing global economy. Education pushes us towards bigger goals and values of life, encourages us to reach our potential, teaches us to respect and enrich our culture, our spirit, our values and everything that categorizes us as people. That is exactly why AUE-FON is always open to interdisciplinary and international collaboration, exchange of experiences and knowledge and a professional and career development of its students as functional individuals who will contribute to the development of society and intercultural dialogue", said the Rector of the American University of Europe-FON, Puleska-Janushevska at the opening of the conference.

The Rapporteur of the European Parliament of North Macedonia Ilhan Kuchuk at today's panel discussion stressed that it is especially important that the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski directly contributes to the implementation of the Agreement on friendship, good neighborhood and cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, because article 4, section 2 states that "The two parties to a contract will assist in maintaining contacts between the local authorities and the citizens of both countries.

According to him, Bulgarian-Macedonian relations have no alternative for the region and have great potential, not because of history or politics, but primarily because of the people, ordinary people, can communicate and understand each other freely, without using foreign languages and without intermediators. And as soon as you can understand someone, you can listen to them and build a close relationship based on shared aspirations for a better life, without borders, in the European Union, equal to the Germans, the French and the Spanish.

The President of the American University of Europe-FON, Mr. Sefer Canoski, who has 20 years of experience in private higher education, at the conference pointed out the need for transformation and the need for new directions in which education should move. He pointed out the benefits of the necessary transformations, the importance and role of education in society, while emphasizing the small amounts intended for the development of science and research as a major problem in our country. To this, Canoski added that the University AUE-FON with its transformation follows the agenda of UN2030, emphasizing that we are facing a generational choice - moving in an unsustainable way or a radical change of course.

"Our homeland is a landlocked country, we have lower wages and standards compared to the region, we are facing a constant outflow of young minds and that is why it is necessary to find a way to improve education, which is the first pillar that will lead us forward. Cooperation with neighboring countries, international cooperation is more than necessary in the development of science and education," pointed out Mr. Canoski in his address in the conference and asked all factors to jointly adopt a long-term twenty-year strategy of education, where young people will be at the center of education and will be the future advocates of justice and fairness, improving the economy and advancing the tech industry. Only with a good education system, with educated children we will have a chance for a better future.

After a joint government meeting in Sofia, the collaboration now continues locally at a university level. This is a contribution of the liberals to the rapprochement and strengthening of relations at the local level but also at an educational level” said LDP President and Minister of Local Self-Government Goran Milevski.

Milevski added that all political parties and other social, cultural and educational factors should continue on this path.

"We, as municipalities in Macedonia, should take the experience from Bulgaria for projects that will be of great help when the negotiations with the EU will start, to meet the criteria for EU membership as soon as possible, but also to know how to use  to the maximum the pre-accessible funds. Even when the relations between the two countries were cooled, the municipalities really functioned flawlessly and worked on joint projects," Milevski said, emphasizing that the creativity of the municipalities to provide innovative projects that will mean accelerated development is very important.

“Now is not the time to be silent, neither as a young man nor as a politician, but to speak loudly about all the benefits of the common development of the two countries and the two nations that are dreaming of a better future, a better standard of living and regional and economic development." said Monika Zajkova - MP and Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party

According to Zajkova, there are many countries in the world that have had conflicts with each other and we should learn from their experiences and get to work, to use the geostrategic position for further development of the road structure, tourism and cross-border collaboration.

"To use the cooperation between civil society and youth associations. That will help us in the development of education, student mobility and of course creating conditions where young people will develop a desire to stay at home and contribute to a better future for both countries," said Zajkova at a civic conference organized with the idea of encouraging debate for the current situation, challenges and opportunities for civic contribution in building trust, unity and alliance between the two countries.