Ten years ago, when Macedonia was not yet part of NATO and was facing an unresolved conflict with Greece, it would have been difficult to imagine that one day one of its citizens would chair the Alliance’s highest-level meetings. Radmila Shekerinska now serves as NATO’s deputy secretary general and says this is a message that even small states can achieve goals that once seemed unattainable.
“Every time I enter the North Atlantic Council chamber, I remind myself that when you truly want something, you can make it happen. Even a small country and its people can aim higher and achieve things that once seemed impossible,” Shekerinska told “Sitel”.
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She recalled her early days in the Alliance, when Macedonia was a partner and membership was seen as a distant goal. According to her, NATO had no particular appetite for enlargement, was focused on other issues, while the dispute with Greece represented a major obstacle. Today, the country is not only a member but also belongs to the small group of states whose representatives have held the Alliance’s second-highest post.
“In nearly 80 years of the Alliance’s history, only six member states have had a deputy secretary general. We are the seventh. This should strengthen our confidence and make us much bolder,” she pointed out.
While Macedonia now takes part in decision-making processes within NATO, its path toward European integration remains unfinished.
Shekerinska said she did not intend to offer advice as someone who is neither part of the European Union nor involved in the country’s domestic politics. Nevertheless, she stressed that not being part of the institutions where decisions are made has consequences.
“On issues related to security, we are sitting at the table; I want us to be present at every other important table as well,” she said.
According to Shekerinska, Macedonia’s experience in NATO should serve as encouragement that even difficult issues can be resolved. But to succeed, an agreement must first be reached within the country. Support from Brussels and the member states is important, but it cannot replace domestic political consensus.
