Zoran Jolevski

Zoran Jolevski
Zoran Jolevski
Born	July 16, 1959 (age 67); Skopje, Yugoslavia
Occupation(s)	Diplomat, Politician
Years active	1988–present
Known for	Minister of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia; Ambassador to the United States; Lead negotiator in Macedonia naming dispute

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Zoran Jolevski, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 2025

Zoran Jolevski (; born 16 July 1959) is a seasoned Macedonian diplomat who previously held the position of Minister of Defense for the Republic of Macedonia. Prior to this appointment, he represented Macedonia as Ambassador to the United States. In November 2008, he was designated as the lead negotiator in the Macedonia naming dispute. By 2011, he had also been appointed Ambassador to the United Mexican States and served as Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States. Between 2000 and 2004, Jolevski acted as Secretary General to President Boris Trajkovski. He earned his Ph.D. in International Economy from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. He is married to Suzana Jolevska, and they have two sons, Pero and Filip.

Early life and education

Born in Skopje, Yugoslavia, Jolevski attended Orce Nikolov High School in Skopje, where his classmates included opera singer Boris Trajanov and filmmaker Milcho Manchevski. He captained the school swimming team and was a junior swimming champion in Macedonia. After completing high school in 1978, he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in economics from the Faculty of Economics at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. Alongside his studies, he taught mathematics at both high school and university levels. In 1990, he earned a Master of Science in Law from the Faculty of Law Justinian I at the same university, presenting a thesis entitled "Business Strategies of Multinational Companies." Furthering his education abroad, he obtained a postgraduate diploma from the International Institute of Social Studies (Erasmus University Rotterdam) in The Hague. In 1994, he completed a Trade Policy Course under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). His doctoral research culminated with a Ph.D. focusing on "Foreign Trade Regime of Macedonia and the WTO Agreements" at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. Jolevski is proficient in English, French, Serbo-Croatian, Bulgarian, and Macedonian.

Personal life

Married to Suzana Jolevska, Jolevski has two sons: Pero (born 1988), who serves as Director at Blue Star Strategies, and Filip (born 1992), an economist employed by the World Bank Group.

Early career

Between 1983 and 1988, Jolevski managed a travel agency while working as a Freelance Tour Director. Concurrently with his Master's studies, he held leadership roles within the Presidencies of both the Tourist Association of Skopje and the Swimming Club "Vardar." His diplomatic career commenced in 1988 when he joined Macedonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1988–94)

From 1988 through 1992, Jolevski was responsible for drafting essential documents that supported Macedonia’s observer status within the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade framework and acted as Desk Officer for relations with the United Kingdom and Germany. Subsequently, between 1992 and 1994, he served as Secretary to Macedonia’s Delegation during the International Conference on Succession of the Former Yugoslavia, contributing significantly to negotiation efforts. Additionally, he was part of the leadership within the Macedonia-Japanese Friendship Association.

Early diplomatic career (1994–98)

In October 1994, Jolevski assumed the role of First Secretary at Macedonia’s Permanent Mission to both the World Trade Organization (WTO) and United Nations offices located in Geneva. Until 1998, he also held the position of Vice-chairman for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Expert Meeting focused on Regional and Multilateral Investment Treaties before returning to duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1998–99)

Upon his return from Switzerland, Jolevski took on the role of Secretary responsible for WTO accession as well as international trade and financial matters. During the Kosovo War, he acted as Deputy National Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs concerning the Kosovo refugee situation, working closely alongside then-Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Boris Trajkovski. Additionally, he was a member of the Bureau of the UNCTAD Commission focusing on Investment, Technology, and Related Financial Issues.

Secretary General of the President of Macedonia (1999–2004)

In the aftermath of the Kosovo conflict, Jolevski provided counsel to presidential candidate Boris Trajkovski in 1999, assisting in the development of his platform and speeches. Following Trajkovski’s election victory, Jolevski assumed the position of Secretary General to the President (1999–2004), effectively succeeding the previous Chief of Staff role. Concurrently, he served as Deputy Negotiator and Chief Advisor to the Minister of Economy on Macedonia’s WTO accession process. In 2000, he successfully spearheaded negotiations that restored diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China and played a key role in advancing the "E-Macedonia for All" project.

During the 2001 insurgency within Macedonia, Jolevski led the President’s inner circle amid assassination threats. He participated actively in negotiating the Ohrid Framework Agreement, working alongside representatives from the US and EU to achieve peace. Furthermore, he represented President Trajkovski in parliamentary sessions concerning constitutional amendments required by the Agreement.

Following the conflict, Jolevski broadened his international involvement through work with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), joining expert groups focused on Internet Enterprise Development and chairing workshops related to intellectual property rights and trade facilitation. Since 2005, he has held the position of Vice Chairman on UNECE’s Committee on Trade.

Between 2000 and 2001, Jolevski held board-level management roles at two major Macedonian companies: "Skopje Fair" and "Alumina."

Jolevski was initially scheduled to be aboard the flight that tragically claimed President Trajkovski’s life near Mostar in 2004; however, at the President’s request, he remained in Skopje to concentrate on advancing Macedonia’s NATO and EU membership efforts.

Consulting (2004–07)

After President Trajkovski’s passing, Jolevski notably declined an appointment as Macedonian Ambassador to both the WTO and UN offices in Geneva—an unprecedented decision in Macedonia’s diplomatic history. He transitioned into academia as a Professor at European University-Republic of Macedonia, teaching International Economic Relations and Foreign Trade while simultaneously launching his consulting career. He served as Chief of Party for Booz Allen Hamilton-led USAID initiatives: first managing the 'WTO Compliance Activity' through 2006, followed by overseeing the 'Macedonian Business Environment Activity' until 2007.

Jolevski also provided advisory services to Macedonian political figures, including acting as Economic and Foreign Policy Adviser to VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski—then Prime Minister. He contributed to shaping his party’s foreign and economic policy platform and served as Special Adviser to Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. Additionally, he consulted with the Macedonian government on preparations for EU accession and cooperated with UNDP on drafting reports related to the UN Millennium Development Goals aimed at fostering development partnerships.

On an international scale, Jolevski offered consultancy support for Serbia’s WTO accession process in 2006, followed by engagements with Ethiopia and Montenegro. In 2005, he was approached by Lebanon’s Prime Minister to assist with WTO accession efforts; however, this collaboration did not proceed due to political instability following Rafic Hariri’s assassination.

Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (2004–07)

Drawing on his extensive background in government and international affairs, Jolevski established the Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs – "Ohrid" in 2006. Until 2005, he held the position of President at the International Foundation Boris Trajkovski. Given Macedonia's focus on NATO membership, he became a member of the Presidency of the Macedonian Euro-Atlantic Club in 2006, a role he continues to fulfill. Additionally, he joined the Board of the Center for Strategic Research at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts and became affiliated with Lions Centar, Skopje.

Jolevski also ventured into corporate leadership, notably serving as President of the Management Board at Tobacco Company "Prilep" starting in 2006, where he played a critical role in rescuing the company from financial distress and corruption. Since 2005, he has been part of the Management Board of Seavus Group and assumed a board membership at Airports Macedonia in 2006. His tenure at Airports Macedonia was marked by controversy regarding the naming of "Alexander the Great Airport," an issue he denied having influenced. He remained on this board until 2009 when ownership transferred to a Turkish corporation.

Ambassador to the United States of America

In March 2007, Zoran Jolevski was appointed as Macedonian Ambassador to the United States, taking over from Ljupčo Jordanovski. He officially presented his credentials to President George W. Bush on July 25, 2007. His diplomatic agenda centered on enhancing Macedonia – United States relations and accelerating Macedonia’s NATO integration process. In 2008, he formalized a Strategic Partnership and Cooperation agreement with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. His initiatives included promoting American investment opportunities in Macedonia and fostering connections with the Macedonian Diaspora. Throughout his ambassadorship, U.S. support for Macedonia’s NATO and EU objectives remained steadfast, with his office located at the Moses House. Jolevski also delivered guest lectures at various American universities.

Following the 2014 Macedonian parliamentary election in June 2014, he was appointed Minister of Defense under Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, thereby concluding his ambassadorial duties.

Chief Negotiator in Macedonia’s Naming Dispute (2007–2014)

After President Branko Crvenkovski recalled Nikola Dimitrov from negotiations, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski designated Jolevski as Chief Negotiator for the protracted Macedonia naming dispute with Greece in November 2008.

During discussions held in Geneva on June 22, 2009, Jolevski reiterated Macedonia’s stance:

"We are open to a compromise name that respects our national identity and dignity"

Ambassador to Mexico and Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States

On January 21, 2011, Jolevski was appointed as Macedonia’s inaugural Ambassador to Mexico, presenting his credentials to President Felipe Calderón, while maintaining residence in Washington, D.C.

Subsequently, on May 18, 2011, Macedonia gained status as a Permanent Observer at the Organization of American States, with Jolevski serving as its first Permanent Observer representative.

Minister of Defense (2014–2017)

On June 7, 2014, Ambassador Jolevski was appointed Minister of Defense in Nikola Gruevski's administration and received parliamentary approval on June 19. Among the cabinet members, he held the distinction of being the most affluent.

His agenda focused heavily on advancing Macedonia's accession to NATO and upgrading the armed forces, with particular attention to strengthening cybersecurity, overhauling the Military Academy, and fostering collaborations with NATO military units. His experience as Ambassador to the United States had established strong connections with American officials.

Throughout his service, he spearheaded the involvement of the Macedonian Armed Forces in the Resolute Support Mission following the conclusion of ISAF operations.

Speaker at international conferences, forums and symposiums

Jolevski took part in more than 100 global gatherings, such as the World Economic Forum held in Davos (2000, 2001, 2003) and New York (2002), various WTO Ministerial Conferences, the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the World Food Summit of the same year. He acted as Macedonia’s representative at the 2000 UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and organized several business forums aimed at enhancing Macedonia’s economic profile during his diplomatic service in the United States.

Research and publications

- Doctoral dissertation: The WTO Agreements and Foreign Trade Regime of Macedonia - Master's thesis: The Business Policy of Multinational Corporations - Succession of states: the case of ex-Yugoslavia, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, 1993 - The World Trading System, Matica, Skopje, 2006 - Multinational Corporations: Challenge of the Contemporary Economy, Ecopress, Skopje, 1997 - Foreign Trade of Macedonia 2005, Ministry of Economy/USAID/WTO Compliance Activity - Foreign Trade of Macedonia 2006, Ministry of Economy/USAID/Ohrid Institute - Mandate for Leadership: Principles for Governing Macedonia 2006–2010, Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs – Ohrid

In addition, he contributed numerous economic analyses to Macedonian periodicals such as Vecer and Utrinski.

External links