Submission of the United Macedonian Diaspora (Australia) to the Australian Foreign Policy White Paper 2017

Abstract

We call on the Australian Government to develop and implement a contemporary, independent and high quality foreign policy strategy based on evidence, ethics, social justice, solidarity and strategic partnerships. It must also be free from the corruptive influence of foreign political donations and domestic pressure groups. UMD supports the Australian Government’s agenda of developing a rigorous and relevant Foreign Policy White Paper that will better meet the needs of all Australians including the Australian Macedonian community.   In our submission, we ask the Australian Government and the Australian Parliament to finally recognise the Republic of Macedonia by its legitimate constitutional name as has been done by 137 nations at the UN.  We call upon Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP to show how much direct and indirect funding their parties have received from Hellenic sources since 1994 in order to segregate, delegitimise and discriminate against the Republic of Macedonia and against Macedonians living in the Hellenic Republic, in Australia and globally. Finally, we call upon Australia’s political leaders to formally apologise to Macedonia and its people around the world for this shameful, unethical, illegal and unsustainable foreign policy position that has harmed Australia’s national and international reputation and undermined peace, international laws and regional stability in Southeast Europe.&nbsp