HRC, Forum on Minorities issues Statement of the Republic of Macedonia (Mr. Dusko Uzunovski, Minister Counsellor) Madam Chairperson, Since that I am taking floor for the first time, allow me on behalf of my Delegation to congratulate you for the election as Chairperson of the first Forum on Minority Issues. I would also like to commend the work of the IE on the Minorities issues Madam Gay McDougall for the selection of the theme for the First Forum and for her work during the preparation process. Republic of Macedonia belongs to the group of more than 70 countries that cosponsored the Resolution 6/15 of the HRC. We do consider that the education generally and the access to education of the Minorities is essential for their complete integration in the overall system of the respective state. Madam Chairperson, To describe arrangements for ensuring the equal opportunities and equal access to education of Minorities in one state in 3 to 5 minutes is rather difficult tusk, but I will to try to provide you with at least essential information on some of the aspects in the concept note for the First Forum. (As mentioned by you Madam Chairperson) The equal access to education in the Republic of Macedonia is regulated by the Constitution and by the Laws on Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education and the legal framework guarantees the right to education to everybody under equal conditions, with special emphasis on the elementary and secondary education, which are compulsory and free of charge. Discrimination based on sex, race, national, ethnic or social origin or religious affiliation, wealth or social status, is prohibited. (Mr. Thornberry: language) For members of the ethnic communities in the Republic of Macedonia, the educational process is conducted in the language and alphabet of the ethnic communities. The textbooks are also written in the language of their instruction. The instructions in the overall system for education in the Republic of Macedonia are held in four teaching languages: Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish and Serbian. According to the curriculum for elementary school education, other languages of the communities such as Vlach and Roma are being taught as optional languages. Madam Chairperson, (Control of Implementation and monitoring processes) Special bodies for the advancement of education of persons belonging to the ethnic communities have been established. Namely, a Directorate for Development and Advancement of Education in the Communities' Languages was formed within the Ministry of Education that provides a particular emphasis to the prevention of discrimination in the area of education.