The Republic of Macedonia: Implementing the Ohrid Framework Agreement and Reforming the State
Abstract
The Republic of Macedonia (ROM) remained peaceful during the violent breakup of Yugoslavia. However, the 1999 Kosovo refugee crisis combined with a large, disgruntled ethnic Albanian minority triggered an ethnic conflict between the Macedonian security forces and Albanian rebels in February 2001. Hostilities ended with the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement in August 2001. The agreement called for an end to the violence and provided concessions towards Albanian grievances. Concessions included the adoption of a power-sharing system with the nation's minorities, which included Albanians, Roma, Serbs, Turks, and Vlachs; the equitable representation and nondiscrimination of minorities in employment in the civil and public service sector; education rights such as state funding for minority-attended universities; and positive discrimination, allowing better opportunities for minorities in university enrollment. Included was a revised law on local self-government that provided minorities greater autonomy in communities where they are in the majority. Since Ohrid was signed, the republic has worked to implement the Framework Agreement and reform its institutions, all in the hopes of joining the European Union. This thesis examines the factors that led to the 2001 ethnic conflict; the status of implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement; the factors that promote success and impede progress in the reform of the state; the past, present, and future role of the international community in developing the ROM; and the prospects for the ROM gaining European Union membership.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA488815
Entities
People
- George A. Tsukatos
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School