The Government of the Republic of China deeply regrets that the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has disregarded the friendly relations existing between the two countries and acquiesced in the pressure and enticement of Mainland China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China thus solemnly announces that the Government of the Republic of China has decided to sever its diplomatic relations with the Republic of Macedonia effective today. The ROC Government will close its embassy in the Republic of Macedonia, terminate all the agreements and cooperation projects between the two countries and withdraw its technical mission.
The Republic of China established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Macedonia on January 27, 1999. Over the past two and a half years, in order to assist Macedonia in its economic development and reconstruction, the Republic of China, in cooperation with the private sector in Taiwan, has actively helped Macedonia to undertake a number of cooperation projects. They include “The Ten Infrastructure Projects”, “The Republic of China-Macedonia Economic Development Fund”, “The Taiwan Commercial Center” and “The Skopje Free Economic Zone”. During the Kosovo crisis, the Republic of China took the lead to provide all kinds of assistance to help Macedonia alleviate financial and economic difficulties and dispatch a medical team to the region to solve the medical problem facing the refugees. All these have contributed significantly to Macedonia’s economic recovery and social stability.
With a view to tackling the issue of ethnic conflict and averting the imminent civil war in Macedonia, the Government of Macedonia was forced to review and adjust its international strategy. As a result, while the grand coalition government was formed on May 13, 2001, the pro-Mainland China force gathered more strength in the new cabinet, raising the voice of restoring the relationship with Mainland China. In addition, to strive to solicit Mainland China’s support in the Security Council of the United Nations, the Macedonian Government was coerced into changing its friendly relations with the Republic of China, disregarding the ROC Government’s advice and efforts in the last several weeks to maintain diplomatic relations between the two countries. The decision taken by the Government of Macedonia has not only seriously damaged the national interests of the Republic of China but also interrupted all the ongoing cooperation projects between the two countries. This is bound to hamper Macedonia’s socio-economic development in the future.
In recent years, Mainland China has incessantly intensified its obstruction of the Republic of China’s international activities. To meet this challenge, the Government of the Republic of China will, with greater resolve and pragmatic efforts, continue to expand its external relations needed for its survival and progress.
