Macedonia represented at Washington Diaspora Forum

Macedonian representatives take part at the Second Annual Global Diaspora Forum, which U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opened in Washington on Wednesday.

“By tapping into the experiences, the energy, the expertise of diaspora communities, we can reverse the so-called ‘brain drain’ that slows progress in so many countries around the world, and instead offer the benefits of the ‘brain gain’. In terms of international development and our work to reduce poverty and improve lives, this can be a game-changing effort. But that is not all. It is also a recipe for spurring greater economic growth in the United States as well. And it holds the promise of advancing strategic interests like rebuilding societies after conflicts or disasters and improving relations with key countries”, said Clinton at the forum opening.

Opportunities for utilizing the Macedonian diaspora worldwide was the topic of discussion at the meeting of Macedonian MPs with the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD). MPs Ilija Dimovski, Aleksandar Spasenovski, Marijan Nikolov, Rexhep Ismaili and Lence Nikolovska, who are paying a study visit to the U.S. Congress, met with UMD president Meto Koloski, referring to ways for improved use of potentials of Macedonian diaspora.

MP Ivanova said SDSM supported the voting of Macedonian nationals abroad at elections in Macedonia, but added that the way in which 2011 elections were organized was not appropriate. VMRO-DPMNE’s Spasenovski voiced belief that response would improve at the next elections.

Koloski stressed public in Macedonia should be better acquainted with activities of Macedonians in the diaspora, but also with the economic effects, which are estimated at more than EUR 1 billion annually, i.e. one-fifth of the country’s GDP.