#Macedonia2027: Your feedback matters

Last week I asked where you would like Macedonia to be in 2027.  I illustrated the question with a vision of a country moving strongly forward. A successful European state, ahead of the pack in the Balkans, leading by example. Name issue resolved. In NATO. Negotiating with the EU.

Of course, in an exercise like this there is only thing you can be 100% certain of – that this is not exactly how Macedonia will look in ten years’ time.  The blog was deliberately a bit unreal. If you’ve seen La La Land you probably know what I am thinking of.  Sadly, it had none of that film’s music and dancing. But, like La La Land, it sought to use slightly unreal scenarios to make a serious point.

The conversations I have had recently all seemed to focus exclusively on what is happening today or on what needs to be done tomorrow.  In other words, very short-term.  Perhaps you have noticed the same thing.  I guess that is to be expected in a political crisis.  But it is also true that political crisis is precisely when we most need strategic vision. So my blog was simply a way of contributing to that wider debate about where Macedonia is going.

The feedback has been fantastic. We have had a huge response on the Embassy social media channels. And while this was no exercise in scientific prediction, it was interesting that certain themes emerged. Here’s a taste:

• Many of the responses captured their vision for Macedonia by drawing parallels to other countries. So they wanted Macedonia to be more like Slovenia or Estonia. Or a Singapore in the Balkans.
• Strong on environmental protection was a key theme: recycling, Macedonia without waste, a nuclear-free country.
• So was the economy, and the continuation of successful economic reform, in particular stronger entrepreneurialism backed by education designed to support business. There were also calls for science-centred education. And a suggestion that 5% of the active population should be working in social enterprises.
• Many responses wanted stronger rule of law, zero corruption, backed by non-partisan institutions.
• And a strong, decent society based on a relationship of trust between government and citizens which prioritises inclusion of marginalised groups.

I would say that Macedonia either already has some of that or without doubt has the potential to develop it.

While most feedback was broadly consistent with Macedonia’s strategic aim of joining the EU and NATO, some clearly reflected a different vision of the future. Some called for Macedonia not to join the EU or NATO, aiming instead for a South European Economic Community and a regional military alliance.

I welcome the range of views: this is a debate, after all.

Like my original blog, some of these ideas might seem unreal, a bit like La La Land. However, as the saying goes, it seems impossible until it is done. I would like to thank everyone for their feedback and for taking the time to read the blog. Who knows, maybe one day Wales and Macedonia will be cooperating on green energy, Macedonia will be leading by example on the Rule of Law, and the world will be communicating with an app developed in a town in Macedonia.

Well why not?  #Macedonia2027 #Македонија2027 #Maqedonia2027