Macedonia

Academy training in Macedonia emphasizes use of negotiation and diplomatic skills to prevent recurrence of inter-ethnic violence that might spill over into neighboring countries.

Sustainable stability in the Balkans requires continuous international efforts, including the insights of those individuals with extensive in the field experience.  
 

Ten years of intervention in the Balkans—beginning with European monitors in 1991, extending through the ill-fated humanitarian efforts of the UN Protection Force in Bosnia (1992–95), to the current multi-purpose interventions in Bosnia (1995), Kosovo (1999), and Macedonia (2001)—have provided the most extensive post–Cold War experience in international community efforts to stabilize a conflict zone. Where do the Balkans stand now? What more needs to be done there? What has been learned? What lessons should be applied in other conflict areas like Afghanistan?

In a major diplomatic victory for both countries, Kosovo and Macedonia recently concluded the demarcation of their shared border. This process of diplomacy, cooperation, confidence-building and reconciliation was conducted by a Joint Technical Commission (JTC) comprised of the two state parties and the International Civilian Office (ICO). 

USIP has been engaged in the Balkans since 1996, starting in Bosnia immediately after the signing of the Dayton Accords, and later expanding its activities to Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia.

As concerns grow about Bosnia’s post-war recovery, USIP presents its fourth report on recent developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and various options to prevent a return to violence there. Author Jim O'Brien, who served as the presidential envoy for the Balkans in the 1990s, proposes a two-part strategy that includes stripping Bosnia's political parties of their nationalist appeal and speeding up the European Union accession process for the Balkans region.

Ted Feifer of the Professional Training Program conducted an advanced third party skills workshop for the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, July 8-10, 2004. Mission members play an important role in OSCE support for implementation of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement, which largely ended interethnic fighting.

Ted Feifer and Jacki Wilson of the Professional Training Program conducted an advanced third-party skills workshop for the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, February 7-9, 2005. Mission members play an important role in OSCE support for implementation of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement designed to end interethnic fighting in Macedonia.

Training Program Officer Jacki Wilson conducted a workshop for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, on February 10-12, 2005.