Published by Wikileaks & Bivol.bg
date: 12/23/2009 16:13 refid: 09SKOPJE621 origin: Embassy Skopje classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY destination: header: VZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSQ #0621/01 3571613 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231613Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0033 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY 4585 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0963 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8775 ----------------- header ends ---------------- UNCLAS SKOPJE 000621 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND PRM; EMBASSY BELGRADE FOR ANNE MARIE MOORE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, MK SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: NEW NATIONAL ACTION PLAN AIMS AT DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR REMAINING REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO CRISIS 1. (SBU) Summary: Ten years after the influx of nearly 350,000 refugees to Macedonia during the Kosovo crisis, the Government of Macedonia, together with UNHCR Skopje, is working to create durable solutions for the remaining approximately 1,600 refugees and asylum seekers, nearly all of whom are ethnic Roma. The GoM opened an integration center for refugees in October and passed a national action plan for the integration of refugees in early November, providing nearly one million Euros in funding for the program for 2010. While plans and programs for integration continue to develop, increasing numbers of the remaining refugees are seeking to return to Kosovo. Kosovo's independence and refugees' expectations of increased international funding are presumed to be behind the increase in requests for returns. Through the combination of integration and returns, UNHCR Skopje has set out a solutions/exit strategy that aims to find durable solutions for the vast majority of remaining refugees by 2011. While solutions for the remaining Kosovo refugees move forward, the quality of Macedonia's legal framework for refugee and asylum determinations has also improved-- providing a more stable foundation for addressing refugee issues in the future. The Parliament passed a new law on asylum and temporary protection (which entered into force on December 15). This law meets all EU standards for asylum and temporary protection and most international standards promoted by UNHCR. End Summary. Integration Plan: A Regional Model? ----------------------------------- 2. (SBU) In early November, the GoM adopted a national action plan for integration of refugees and foreigners. The action plan follows passage in December 2008 of a strategic plan for integration of refugees. UNHCR strongly supported the process, aiding in finding a professional consultant to develop the plan, and providing input and modifications as the plan developed. At the time the Strategic Plan was adopted, UNHCR Skopje indicated that Macedonia was the first, and perhaps would be the only, country in the region to adopt a comprehensive approach to integration of Kosovo refugees. According to UNHCR Skopje, some other neighboring countries indicated they would base future diplomatic relations with Kosovo on return of refugees. (Macedonia recognized Kosovo's independence in October 2008 and established full diplomatic relations earlier this year.) 3. (SBU) Somewhat surprisingly, there has not been public or political opposition to the plan, even at the often contentious budgeting stage. The GoM budgeted nearly 1 million Euros for the integration plan for 2010. With assistance and support of UNHCR, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) opened an Integration Center in the majority-Roma Skopje municipality of Shuto Orizari in October. While the strategic and action plans for integration call for long-term assistance to refugees in the areas of housing and employment, the 1 million Euro budget will initially only allow for the MLSP to take over direct support payments for accommodations to refugees from UNHCR, beginning January 1. The GoM hopes to draw financial support from the international community to further develop services of the integration center, aiming toward eventual naturalization of those refugees who seek to remain. Applications for Returns Way Up ------------------------------- 4. (SBU) While plans move forward to provide integration assistance to some refugees, others are seeking voluntary return to Kosovo. In recent years, fewer than 50 refugees per year applied for return to Kosovo. Following Kosovo independence, there was a sharp increase in applications for return, with more than 300 refugees applying this year. With increased applications, UNHCR Skopje is concerned about the slow speed of returns to Kosovo (reporting that only 31 refugees have returned this year) and reports an urgent need for streamlining of the return/reintegration procedures in Kosovo. 5. (SBU) Comment: The plan forward for integration of remaining refugees from the Kosovo crisis has, surprisingly, not/not been politicized here. UNHCR gives high marks to the plan, viewing it as a positive development in the region. While Kosovo recognition, border demarcation, and establishment of diplomatic relations with Kosovo all met with expected political posturing and considerable media coverage, the refugee integration plan has passed quietly and without political opposition -- a bright spot in inter-ethnic relations in the Balkans. End Comment. REEKER
