Skopje, 11 October 2022 (MIA) - We need to join the EU so as to ensure that our country is developing according to the democratic principles and standards. But, the European Union also needs us as a stabilizing factor in the Western Balkans. This historic chance shouldn't and mustn't be missed, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said at a ceremony in Kumanovo on Tuesday marking National Uprising Day. It is vital, according to him, the country to accelerate the EU integration process because full-fledged membership into the Union is being on the right side. "Present generations and this progressive political leadership of the country are faced with this choice. The government and myself as prime minister are prepared to lead the way to becoming full-fledged member of the EU all the while protecting the national and state interests," stressed Kovachevski addressing the central event, held this year under the motto “Always on the Right Side”. According to him, to be on the right side today in the midst of the global context of developments is to help provide safe and economic progress and living standards. "European progress of the country is the right side," the PM underlined. "I'm aware of the concern caused by attempts for occasional and irritating provocation purposely stimulated in the country by sides whose interest is to provoke reactions contrary to our strategic goals, or with deeper motives. However, we are fully dedicated to protecting state interests and to finding institutional solutions according to the laws and European principles. This is the way that we're dealing with these challenges," Kovachevski said. He said he is confident that wisdom is the key for all challenges and that the citizens will support the right side of uniting. "All of the decisions made so far and the ones to be made by our country and by the EU will show and prove that the Macedonian language is recognized, that the national identity is recognized, and that our country is equal with all European countries. There may be many skeptics, the ones in politics for their own personal gains and the ones similar to them. They will exist now, they existed in the past and will exist in the future, but I assure you, they are not on the right side," stressed Kovachevski. He said that many institutional, political, economic and security agreements with the EU will be signed soon, including the Frontex agreement, which is to be signed in Macedonian as an equal language with all other languages in the EU. "It is the best way and clear facts that make us equal citizens in the EU. Since the start of our negotiations with the Union, we are fully convinced, the same as our predecessors, that our centuries-long Macedonian historical, national, linguistic and cultural identity is unique, preserved and improved, now and in the future," PM Kovachevski told the central event in Kumanovo marking National Uprising Day.