Skopje, 11 March 2024 (MIA) — Borche Velichkovski, the president of the National Council of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Serbia, has died after a long illness. He was 57.

According to MIA's Belgrade correspondent, Velichkovski had been elected to head the Macedonian National Council for the fourth time in a direct vote by Serbian Macedonians.

Velichkovski had been awared the Order of Merit by former President Gjorge Ivanov.

During his term in office, Velichkovski worked to promote the rights of the Macedonian national minority in Serbia regarding culture, journalism, and Macedonian language education in Jabuka, Kacharevo, Glogonj, Panchevo, Belgrade, Leskovac, Vranje, Kraljevo and other places in Serbia where greater numbers of Macedonians live.

The funeral will be held Wednesday in Panchevo. mr/