The International Democrat Union (IDU) at its Party Leaders meeting in London adopted a new statute, becoming the first international political association to change its formal written enactment of a legislative authority in order to prevent Greece to keep blocking Macedonia.

The change, related to erasing the principle for consensus decision-making, has been endorsed by all countries, except Greece. VMRO-DPMNE has acquired a status of IDU associative member, something that Greece had been opposing to for a long period of time, Macedonia's ruling party said Friday in a press release.

IDU is a working association of over 80 Conservative, Christian Democrat and like-minded political parties of the centre and centre right.

Formed in 1983, the IDU provides a forum in which Parties holding similar beliefs can come together and exchange views on matters of policy and organisational interest, so that they can learn from each other, act together, establish contacts and speak with one strong voice to promote democracy and centre-right policies around the globe. Founder Members of the IDU included Britain's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, then US Vice-President George Bush Sr, Paris Mayor and later President of France Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and many other party leaders. lk/fd/15:50

PM Gruevski: Right of self-determination, own identity - inseparable part of freedom

The right of self-determination, own identity is an inseparable part of freedom, but today, even in Europe, some countries are prohibiting these freedoms, thus acting against fundamental values the EU and the modern world have been based on, Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski said Friday in London.

Speaking at a plenary session on 'Strengthening Freedom and Democracy in the 21st Century' of the International Democratic Union (IDU) Party Leaders meeting, Gruevski said that more active citizens' participation in policy-creating and decision-making was the most appropriate tool for providing freedom and democracy.

"In order to turn this goal into reality we need a system of good governance, which is attainable by a consistent rule of law, efficient, citizen-oriented public administration, independent judiciary and transparency of the government's work," Gruevski said.

He also underlined the need of political leadership that would make a balance between the globalization of capital and the rights, freedoms of citizens for better life.

"The development of society, he said, should be directed to turning the democracy into something more than a governmental structure that aims to meet the citizens consumer needs. The democracy should respond to the collective needs of citizens - better education, health care system - an essential investment in building a better future for our generation and eliminating the syndrome of destruction," Gruevski said.

Economic cooperation, trade exchange and bolstering of investments may also contribute to strengthening the freedom and democracy, he said.

"Sustainable economic growth, satisfied and well-off citizens are necessary for enjoying the benefits of democracy. In a time when we are still dealing with the consequences of the most serious global economic turmoil for the last 80 years and hearing announcements for a new one in Europe, we face the challenge to speed up the economic consolidation in order to preserve the benefits of democracy. To that end it is more than necessary to preserve the economic solidarity, boost the trade exchange and investments in order to discourage those political forces, which led by opportunism and pure pragmatism, promote far-right or far-left politics and thus jeopardize the fundamental values of democratic societies," Gruevski said.