The chairman of BDF, former Danish foreign minister Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, has been presented with the highest national order of Macedonia, the order “September 8”. At a ceremony in Skopje on February 10th, the president of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, said that the order recognizes Uffe Ellemann-Jensen as Macedonia’s great friend, acknowledging his personal contribution in the establishment of Macedonia-Denmark diplomatic ties, as well as his continual support to Macedonia since its independence, in particular as chairman of the EC Council of Ministera in early 1993 and as leader of the European liberals in the 90’es.
In his address upon receiving the order, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen said that a compromise has to be reached on the issue of Macedonia’s name. He warned that time was running out, whereas the price of maintaining a position that Macedonia regards as fair and reasonable may exceed the gains of ending the impasse and start the process of EU and NATO integration.
He said: “Alexander the Great had a very effective way of dealing with the Gordian Knot. I hope we all agree that the method of Alexander will lead us nowhere near a solution to the issue confronting us. It has to be solved through a compromise, where all parties involved move their positions. The best solution is always one where both sides are left satisfied. But so far it has not been possible. What would then be the second best solution? Perhaps a compromise where both sides are left a little unhappy. At least that is better than a solution where only one side is happy and the other unhappy. Because if a solution shall be sustainable, there must be no winners and no losers.”