HRC, Forum on Minorities issues Statement of the Republic of Macedonia (Mr. Dusko Uzunovski, Minister Counsellor) 16.12.2008 Afternoon Session Thank you Madam Chairperson. I duly apologize for taking the floor for the second time on the same item of the Agenda, but I would like to make some general comments related to the statement made by the distinguished representative of the Non Governmental Organization: Council of Armans with headquarters in the Republic of Albania. In particular, I would like to refer to the part of the statement regarding the situation of the Macedonarmans (also known as Macedo-Vlach or Macedo-Aromanians) in our Region, including in the Republic of Macedonia. I would like to inform the Forum and to remind distinguished representative of the Council of Armans that enthic community of Vlachs is recognized by the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. Related to the right of education and equal access to education of Vlachs, I repeat that according to the curriculum for elementary school education, Vlach and Roma are being taught as optional languages. Secondly, I would also like to touch upon the abbreviation that representative of this NGO used to refer to my state. I would like to remind him that the constitutional name of my country is Republic of Macedonia, and using any abbreviation like he did is very insulting to the citizens of my state. Thank you Madam Chairperson.