MR. ZORAN COSESKI, HONORARY CONSUL OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA TO PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
I also encourage the Australian Macedonians to become more politically active in the Australian Democracy which will also assist in the greater armation of the Macedonian community in Australia
As an Honorary Consul for the Republic of Macedonia in Perth, Western Australia, I can say that representing your country is the highest accolade for any individual and being selected to represent the Republic of Macedonia in Western Australia is both a privilege and an absolute honour. Not only do you represent yourself, your country and your people but you are also representing the heritage and spirit of your ancestors.
What I found over my many years of being an activist in the Macedonian community and the political circles in Australia is that the average Australian is either not familiar with Macedonia or they have some negative stereotype vision of the whole Balkan region which is largely based on selected media reports.
is negative vision is not in favour of Macedonia when the average Australian keeps referring to the con ict in 2001, events in Kumanovo and lately images of the refugee crisis on the Macedonian border with the Hellenic Republic.
Given the above situation it is indeed a great challenge for me to educate ordinary mainstream people in Australia including many politicians and decision makers that these negative images and events are not a real picture or even a barrier to doing business and cooperating with Macedonia on the international scene. I always draw their attention to the fact that many other countries in Europe are also facing disturbing events, but the economy continues to function in a normal manner and people to people contacts go from strength to strength at a continued level. Most Australian politicians are also amazed when I also point out to them that Macedonia’s economic relations with the Hellenic Republic are excellent with more than 300,000 Macedonians visiting the Hellenic Republic every year and that the Hellenic Republic is amongst the top 5 investors in Macedonia.
I am fully aware that history has not been too kind to Macedonia or the Balkan region and in my conduct I am always mindful of the words of a famous diplomat, poet and Irish patriot, Sir Roger Casement, 1 September 1864–3 August 1916, who said: “I know of two tragic histories in the world – that of Ireland and that of Macedonia. Both of them have been deprived and tormented.”
Modern history also reminds us of how far we’ve come as a nation and every day our journey is to continue with that progress of becoming wiser and more compassionate as a nation.
It is common knowledge that many Australian companies are looking for other locations in the world to invest and grow their business but in most instances due to the proximity they choose Asia as an investment destination rather than Europe. As an optimist I do not see this as a problem but rather a challenge to convince the Australian business and tourist companies to visit and consider Macedonia as a tourist and investment destination for expanding their horizons in Europe.
I also asked myself if I were an average Australian investor, why I would even consider investing in Macedonia as a gateway to Europe with a potential market of about 600 million people and not in Asia. e answer to this is very simple: Europe, rather than the U.S. or emerging markets, will be the best place to invest in 2016, according to forecasts from top investment banks.
e region was marred by the trauma of the Greek debt crisis, fallout from China’s growth slowdown and the dramatic slump in commodity prices in 2015, but European equity markets still managed to outperform their stateside and emerging-market peers. at trend is set to continue into 2016, analysts say.
“We think euro-area equities have scope to outperform U.S. equities in 2016, on the back of stronger [earnings-per-share growth]…more attractive valuations and [foreign exchange] support,” strategists at Deutsche Bank said in a note.
It is also interesting to note that I do not think that there is a Macedonian in Australia who can resist talking about the politics back “home”. I haven’t attended one social gathering that hasn’t ended with politics and a heated discussion about issues in Macedonia.
I always bring to the attention of these people that like any other emerging democracy Macedonia does have problems, however, the challenge is nding solutions to problems and not nding problems in every solution. I also encourage the Australian Macedonians to become more politically active in the Australian Democracy which will also assist in the greater a rmation of the Macedonian community in Australia.
I think the eforts that I am making to bring Macedonia and Australia closer at an economic and political level will help us move forward with mutual respect and understanding.
Many people ask me why I volunteer as an Honorary Macedonian Consul when I am raised and educated in Australia. My response is always that I always draw inspiration from a famous saying by the great American President John F Kennedy who said: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
