Prodi condoleert Macedonië met de dood van president Trajkovski (en)

This is a very sad day. A very sad day for Macedonia that loses a wise and balanced leader. A very sad day for the Balkan region for whose integration he had spent so much effort. And a very sad day for Europe that loses a friend and a supporter of the values of tolerance on which our Union is based.

And the feeling is even more bitter since today was meant to be a day of joy for Macedonia and for Boris Trajkovski. The day when Macedonia was submitting its candidacy to become member of the European Union.

There are few men in Macedonia who have done more than President Trajkovski to achieve this objective. He has long been the architect and the guarantor of the European vocation of his country and certainly his best advocate towards the international community. His action during the years of his mandate has always been crucial to keep the compass in the direction of Europe.

We all owe very much to Boris Trajkovski and my sincere hope is that his vision will be a legacy for all Macedonians and will strengthen even further their determination to join the European institutions soon. This will be the best way to honour the memory of a man who has devoted his entire life to the service and the comfort of his country and of his people.

My deepest sympathy goes to the Government and to the people of Macedonia and to the loved ones of President Trajkosvki and of all members of his staff and the crew of the plane who have lost their lives.