Ambassador Marija Efremova, Marshall Center Graduate of the Month, April 2008
The Marshall Center has named Ambassador Marija Efremova of Macedonia as Graduate of the Month for April 2008.
Having been nominated by the government of Macedonia, Ambassador Efremova attended Senior Executive Seminar 1999-5 as Undersecretary for the Ministry of Defense. After the course, Ambassador Efremova applied for a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in 2000 she became State Counselor, Head of International Legal and Consular Affairs Department at the MFA.
In 2002 she joined the Embassy of Macedonia in Rome as Minister Counselor. While in Italy she completed a master’s program in International Environmental Law at the Italian Society of International Organizations in September 2006.
While serving in Rome, Ms. Efremova was able to put her Marshall Center experience to good use by networking with alumni assigned to the Romanian and Croatian Embassies there as well as attending the alumni roundtable on transatlantic relations and NATO held in Rome in March 2007.
In March 2008, after a short return to Macedonia, Ms. Efremova began a four-year appointment as Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Before her departure for London, she was able to join the Macedonian Alumni Association and take part in its activities. While serving in London, Ambassador Efremova hopes to make contact with other alumni posted there as well.
Ambassador Efremova cited the Marshall Center Research Library and the graduate website as being of particular benefit professionally, noting that the information found through the website helped in various situations during her career.
By keeping in contact, Marshall Center graduates are sharing the responsibility for building a common future, according to the Ambassador Efremova. “I really hope to have this feeling as long as possible, no matter the obstacles,” she said.
Beginning with March 2007, the Marshall Center Graduate Support Office has featured a Marshall Center Graduate of the Month. The purpose of this initiative is to feature Marshall Center alumni who are playing an active role in furthering the ideals of the Marshall Center in creating a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions and relationships; promoting active, peaceful security cooperation; and enhancing enduring partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe, Eurasia, and beyond.
