“ Yesterday’s peaceful elections in fYR Macedonia is the kind of signals Southeast Europe needs more of” according to Erhard Busek. While it is up to the OSCE-led monitors to assess the quality of the election process, Busek made clear that Macedonia has managed the election day in a fashion, which is perceived as an example for the many elections to come in SEE this autumn. These are days, when international attention is focused on SEE. It is high time for the foreign public and potential investors to understand, that SEE has left the conflict ridden past behind it and is ready for European style integration. It is vital for the image of the region at large, that political differences are sorted out peacefully at the ballot box.

This is a welcome improvement in Macedonia, where only last year we have seen violent tensions between Macedonians. In order to further enhance stability, Erhard Busek calls upon the newly elected representatives in Macedonia to put the interest of the country first by continuing the process of regional integration in parallel with domestic reconciliation.