The Norwegian Prime Minister, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, today offered his condolences after the message that President Boris Trajkovski of Macedonia was killed in a plane crash in Bosnia yesterday. In a letter to Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, Mr. Bondevik wrote:

“I was deeply saddened to hear that His Excellency, Mr. Boris Trajkovski, has died in a plane crash. It is a great loss for the people of Macedonia.

Boris Trajkovski was a leader of vision and integrity. His commitment to reconciliation among the peoples of the Balkans was impressive. He was a man of moderation and peace. As President, he guided his country through a very difficult period of ethnic unrest, and was instrumental in the finalisation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. His dedication to finding a peaceful and mutually satisfactory solution to the unrest contributed greatly to Macedonia’s progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

I knew him as a friend, and as someone who shared my attachment to value-based politics. We had many interesting discussions about politics and values, sharing great similarities in outlook.

Please accept my condolences and sympathy. My thoughts go to the people of Macedonia and to his family. The Norwegian Government is mourning with you in this time of grief.

Yours sincerely,
Kjell Magne Bondevik”.