Skopje, 11 May 2026 (MIA) — The Macedonian state has an "essential need" to cooperate with the Macedonian diaspora through knowledge and experience, not just financial investments, President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova said Monday. 

Speaking at a reception ahead of the Macedonia 2025 Summit, Siljanovska Davkova said people may physically leave their country, but the country "does not leave them."

"This sight in front of me is a clear and strong confirmation that geographical distance does not necessarily mean spiritual distance from the homeland," Siljanovska Davkova told attendees. 

"I see people before me who, although they do not live here, still have a sense of pride and belonging tattooed inside their hearts by their ancestors," she said.

Expressing pride in the success of Macedonians abroad, she called for "stronger and more dynamic" cooperation.

"The Macedonian state has an essential need for cooperation with the diaspora, not only through business investments, but also through the knowledge, experience and contacts Macedonians have made around the world," she said.

The president praised Macedonia 2025 initiatives, such as the Ohrid Camp for High-Tech Excellence. She said she was also encouraged by the growing interest young people born abroad have shown in Macedonian culture and language.

In her speech, Siljanovska Davkova also congratulated this year's recipients of the Macedonia 2025 Award, Ichak Kalderon Adizes, Elizabeth Naumovski and Antonijo Trpevski. The award recognizes prominent diaspora members who have helped preserve Macedonian traditions and the promote national interests.

Other speakers at the event included Macedonia 2025 CEO Nikica Mojsoska Blazhevski; Macedonia 2025 board chair Michael Cklamovski; and award recipients Naumovski and Trpevski. mr/