Skopje, 7 September 2023 (MIA) – Today we have the most realistic and unique opportunity for a swift EU accession process, in the next couple of years. I urge all of us together, to unite around the goal ahead of us, and to reach it. The unity with which North Macedonia’s independent future was achieved in 1991 is present today as well, in the determination of the citizens for a European future of our country, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski at an event Thursday held at the Macedonian Philharmonic on the eve of September 8 – Independence Day.

 

The Prime Minister assessed that “the breaks are solely in our hands and in the hands of some politicians within the country.”

 

“The reasons for attempts like these are related to foreign interests in terms of geostrategic positioning, different from the Macedonia Euro-Atlantic strategic goal. They are related to populism for political, pre-electoral and personal, material goals,” said Kovachevski.

 

The PM warned that if the country doesn’t take the necessary step in the Euro-integrations alongside its Western Balkan neighbors, it faces the danger of another isolation. He urged the country to continue down the outlined path of progress, “as it did in 1903, 1944 and 1991.”

 

“Let’s not focus on deviations, but on progress. Let’s not make room for anyone to identify us and place us in their own historical context. Because we have our own history and our language, affirmed on a scientific, international level. Let’s continue to affirm ourselves in the international family of peoples and nations, to sit side by side with other countries in the democratic alliances. Because this is the only way for our arguments, known by the world’s science, to also be recognized by the world’s politics,” stressed Kovachevski.

The Prime Minister said “the herald of freedom, September 8, on the eve of this great and significant holiday of Macedonian statehood – the Independence Day, calls for a new confident step forward.”

 

“Thirty-two years ago, in 1991, with a majority of over 95 percent of the citizens, the will for an independent Macedonian state of the generations before us, was fulfilled, a will that resounds from Ilinden 1903 and ASNOM 1944. Thirty-two years later we face the will of 80 percent of the citizens, who are calling for life in Europe, within the European Union, but in their birth country of North Macedonia,” said Kovachevski.

 

“The generations of today,” he said, “have an obligation to respond to that call on this September 8, which asks us to continue the centuries-long idea for progress.”

 

“This is an opportunity that comes at a time when North Macedonia is an internationally established country, a country that confidently steps on the path to the EU, with ensured borders, with a recognized Macedonian language and identity, a country which serves as an example for a successful multi-ethnic democracy, which contributes to regional and European peace, as a free and sovereign country and a NATO member,” stressed Kovachevski.

 

Kovachevski reminded that this opportunity comes at a time when September 2023 was designated as Macedonian American Heritage Month in the United States; when the German Bundestag affirmed the Macedonian language, culture and history; in conditions when the first agreement with the European Commission, the Frontex Agreement has been signed in Macedonian, and when the entire European acquis is being translated in Macedonian. 

 

The PM reminded of “the most critical stage after the country’s independence, in 1992, when the Lisbon Declaration was adopted that said the state would not be recognized at all if it contained the word Macedonia in its name.”

 

“Today, after 30 years, the reality is completely different. Today, Europe and the world are talking about a Macedonian country, Macedonian people and a Macedonian language. Today, our country, the Republic of North Macedonia is an internationally recognized country, whose borders are on the global map. And this is, and must be what drives us. Today, the breaks are solely in our hands, and in the hands of some politicians within the country. North Macedonia is already an internationally recognized country in terms of its territory and identity, through science, art, literature. But also as a political reality. And if this is the case, then why would you block your own perspective?” said Kovachevski.

 

The Prime Minister reminded of a time when the country faced numerous crises, “an embargo, transition, military conflict in 2001, regime, international isolation.”

 

“Through wise decisions and unity, we managed to renew democracy in 2017. And we renewed our relations with the strategic partners. In 2020, North Macedonia became the 30th full-fledged member of NATO. After 17 whole years since the country received its EU candidate status, last year, in 2022, we launched negotiations with the European Union. And today we have the most realistic and only such opportunity, for a swift EU accession process in the next couple of years,” said Kovachevski.

 

The Prime Minister said that the past 12 years have taught us that Macedonian stability is directly linked to the country’s integration within NATO and EU, as well as its internal ethnic cohesion.

 

“We learned that we must make allies, instead of enemies. And that we must act together and united. We felt the meaning of international isolation and non-democratic government. We saw what interethnic intolerance brings, which then leads to ethnocentric, populist and downright irresponsible policies,” stressed Kovachevski.

Kovachevski said that unity, as a European value, is a part of the Macedonian DNA and has always risen above discord, regardless of its source.

 

“And that’s why today, we have nothing to run away from, nor anything to fear. There have always been and there will always be challenges, and the best way to deal with the challenges is to face them and tackle them. A challenge is an opportunity to do your best. And this unique chance for progress, directly linked to our EU integration is ahead of us at this very moment. We find ourselves in a unique context, in which due to the geopolitical circumstances and the need to ensure the stability of the European continent, the EU and the international democratic community need us, just as we need them,” said Kovachevski.

 

If the country fails to take the necessary step in the Euro-integrations, according to the Prime Minister, it will miss a chance to progress, and it will regress “to a new darkness in which it will spend a long time aimlessly wandering, as it did for 11 years in the past.”

 

“The political leaderships, Parliament and the people in our country, have always done what is necessary. Because of everything, this must be the case today too. Freedom also means responsibility. And that’s why, we should listen to the voice of September 8 and take a step forward. I am working, and will continue working, and I urge all of us together, to unite around the goal ahead of us, and to reach it. The unity with which North Macedonia’s independent future was achieved in 1991 is present today as well, in the determination of the citizens for a European future of our country,” said the Prime Minister in his address at the event titled “32 Years of Independence”.

 

The event was attended by members of the Government, representative of institutions, academic community, businessmen, diplomatic corps. It began with the national anthem and a historical overview by Aleksandar Litovski from the Institute of National History.

 

It kicked off the Independence Day activities organized by the Government, which are set to continue on Friday with cultural events, promotions, sports activities.