Skopje, 9 September 2024 (MIA) — This year's official celebration of September 8, Independence Day, was held Sunday at the Philharmonic under the slogan "Together We Fight, Together We'll Triumph," with a number of foreign embassies, the EU Delegation, NATO, citizens associations and political parties sending their congratulations on the national holiday.

In his speech at the celebration, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced ten principles for development, stability and prosperity and called for unity and cohesion.

 

 

PM Mickoski said citizens deserved to live in a country guided by honesty and justice. "It is time we put an end to lawlessness and built a state protecting the citizens' interests," he said.

"Crime cannot be stronger than the Government. This evil is coming to an end," PM Mickoski said, announcing ten principles the Government would be focusing on going forward. These include justice and the rule of law, putting an end to political partisanship, improving the standard of citizens, and meeting the strategic goal of entering the European Union. 

"We need to put a moratorium on ethnically produced topics that are pushed by individual lucrative interests. We need to put an end to the list, the long list of wishes for ethnic rights, that has nothing behind it but the personal interest of those who produce them at the expense of the collective interest," Mickoski said.

He singled out improving citizens' standards, a fair society and investments in education as necessities. He also pointed out that the nation needed to have a general agreement to fulfill the strategic goal of EU membership.

"We have no other alternative. There is no other realistic chance. The people's desire for EU membership is a desire for a better standard, higher criteria, more money, and a working system. And we, as a Government and as a society, must not deviate from the European path," Mickoski stressed.

 

 

The prime minister also spoke about the fight against emigration, ideological battles, and unity.

"For all these principles, I ask for unity and cohesion," Mickoski said. 

"I am sending a message to the opposition leaders. We should all unite around these ten principles. Get rid of the crime in your ranks and reform yourselves. And accept what I am offering as a platform we can unite around," he said.

The PM shared his vision for a future founded on strong commitment to economic growth and development, ensuring a better living standard for all citizens.

He said the country had the potential to become a regional economic leader, with modern infrastructure, a competitive economy and innovations supporting young people and entrepreneurs.

"We will continue the reforms improving the business climate and supporting new investments and jobs. With joint efforts, we will create conditions for young people to see a future here, be able to make their dreams come true, and want to stay and contribute to society," he said.

 

 

Attending the official celebration were President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, and other top officials, diplomats and members of the religious communities.

Earlier in the day, President Siljanovska Davkova extended her best wishes on Independence Day, Sept. 8, urging the nation to put aside divisions and unite around the common good and the public interest.

She said the 1991 referendum was a responsibility to build a modern, European, lawful state of peace and coexistence, social justice, economic well-being and progress. 

"Thirty-three years later, this enthusiasm and hope are, unfortunately, overshadowed by numerous challenges our country has faced, from external pressures and unprincipled blockades, through internal divisions, all the way to political and security crises," she wrote. 

"Over the years, we have had successes and failures, ups and downs. Missed opportunities, ubiquitous partisanship and politicization, and chronic corruption have alienated citizens and made young people leave the country," Siljanovska Davkova wrote.

She added that "it is our duty to put divisions aside and unite around the common good and public interest."

"We have to invest all our personal and institutional capacities into making the Macedonian Republic a decent place to live, which will give equal chances of progress to all its citizens, a Republic that will care for the best, be inclusive of the different, show solidarity toward the vulnerable, and be fair to everyone," the President wrote.

Only through bringing the country into Europe, implementing the rule of law and fighting against corruption will young people find happiness at home, she said, noting that state institutions should be functional, the economy competitive, and a merit system be instituted so young people could find work, start families and create a future in the country.

"This is the only way we will restore the hope and enthusiasm we had at the outset of Macedonian independence," Siljanovska-Davkova said, offering her Independence Day wishes to the nation. 

 

 

The country received congratulations from a number of countries and their embassies, including the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Turkey, Sweden, France, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia and Albania as well as from the EU Delegation and NATO.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the American people and people of North Macedonia share a commitment to democratic values. "We look forward to continuing our work together to promote those values, enhance security and stability, and deepen economic ties in the region. The United States will continue to support our Ally, North Macedonia on its European path in the years ahead," Blinken wrote.

US Ambassador Angela Aggeler also sent an Independence Day greeting to the country in a video released by the US Embassy highlighting the strong partnership and decades of cooperation.

In the video, Ambassador Aggeler said: "On this very special day, we join North Macedonia and all of you in celebrating your independence and your vibrant and diverse communities."

"Like our own independence, yours was hard won, with countless sacrifices made by those who believed in the power of freedom and democracy. Today and always, we honor your history, your present and your very bright future," Aggeler said. 

 

 

EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas attended the official celebration of Independence Day on Sunday and the Delegation of the European Union extended their best wishes to the nation tweeting: "Best wishes to all citizens of North Macedonia on the occasion of Independence Day."

Political parties including SDSM, SPM, the Worth It coalition, ZNAM, Levica, the Democratic Union and DUI also extended their best wishes on the holiday and laid fresh flowers at the tombs of former presidents and fallen fighters.

In his greeting, SDSM leader Venko Filipche said it was time people used their strength and abilities to overcome all obstacles standing on their way to a better future.

"Today, September 8, and the 33 years of our Macedonia's independence remind us of the strength, unity and courage we had when we chose our path of sovereignty and independence," Filipche wrote.

The country, in its 33 years as an independent, sovereign state, was determined to take its place on the European and world stage, he stressed.

"This path was not easy," he added. "It was filled with challenges as well as many achievements. The path we chose three decades ago is a confirmation of our collective will for dignity and prosperity. In these three decades, Macedonia strengthened its institutions, secured its international position and created conditions for economic and social progress," Filipche wrote.

The SDSM leader said the trials facing the country required from the nation to show even greater maturity, cohesion and determination to safeguard democracy in the future.

"In this time of new challenges on the path Macedonia will take, it is time we used our strength and the ability of our citizens to overcome every obstacle that stands on our way to a better tomorrow. We have the responsibility to continue building a society where every citizen will have equal opportunities and our country will be an example of stability, tolerance and progress," Filipche wrote. 

 

 

The official celebration began with a performance of the Macedonian national anthem by a children's choir at the Philharmonic. The event featured a premiere showing of a new video rendition of Blazhe Koneski's "Embroideress" poem and a concert of the National Jazz Orchestra performing works by Macedonian authors. mr/