Historically unifying conference of Macedonian associations in Switzerland

Representatives of the associations present sent strong support to this unification and many associations immediately joined this representative body of Macedonians in Switzerland. Attendees welcomed the idea of ​​this historic conference in the hope that it would become a tradition and maintain at least once a year

On May 4, in Tringen, organized by the Macedonian National Council in Switzerland, a great historical conference of all Macedonian associations that are active in the Swiss Confederation was held. The conference was attended by more than 140 representatives of 40 associations, clubs, associations, Macedonian schools, as well as the three Macedonian Orthodox municipalities in Switzerland.
Guests at the conference were representatives of two Macedonian state institutions. Director Goran Angelov and Biljana Kostova, Head of the Department for Maintenance of Immigrants, were from the Agency for Emigration Guests. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was attended by Boro Mircevski, Chief of Diaspora, and Melhat Muftaroska from the Diaspora Department.
The conference was held to make the unification of the Macedonian Diaspora from Switzerland in a representative body – Macedonian National Council (MNS).
The MNS leadership: Ilcho Kitanov, Gonca Perunkovska and Gordana Djuric, presented the statute, the activities so far, as well as future projects of the Council. The former MNS president, Zlatko Nikolovski, also supported the leadership.
Opportunities for cooperation between associations, proposals for realization of joint projects, agreeing the annual event agenda, establishing a Solidarity Fund for Macedonia, the petition initiated by MNS, as well as greater cooperation with Macedonian and Swiss institutions, but also to solve the problem with the Macedonian Embassy, ​​were discussed. Namely, as we have already written, the Macedonian diaspora demands that the Macedonian Embassy in Bern be managed by expert and professional individuals, to guarantee the use of the Macedonian language in all forms of communication with citizens (without exceptions), to ensure that the Macedonian flag and all important events (in all important events).
Representatives of the associations in a rich discussion highlighted their problems and needs, making their own suggestions and strategies to deepen cooperation.
Director of the Emigration Agency Goran Angelov, as well as the MFA chief, Boro Mircevski, answered questions from associations, mostly related to the problem of the Macedonian Embassy in Bern.

The Diaspora Strategy was presented, which is in the development of the MFA, with proposal to the associations, if interested, to actively participate in its development.
The two Macedonian state institutions gave strong support to the efforts of the Macedonian National Council for the unification of the Macedonian diaspora in a representative body, which they recognize in what is today.
The benefits that such unification would have the Macedonians in Switzerland, in the performances before the Macedonian and Swiss authorities, were highlighted.
Also, the representatives of the associations present sent strong support to this unification and many associations immediately joined this representative body of the Macedonians in Switzerland. Attendees welcomed the idea of ​​this historic conference in the hope that it would become a tradition and maintain at least once a year. D.