Skopje, 27 June 2025 (MIA) — Gjorche Petrov was a statesman before there was a state, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in his speech at an event Friday marking the 104th death anniversary of the Macedonian revolutionary.

Quoting Petrov who had said the revolutionary movement was "of the people, regardless of religion and nationality, aspiring toward autonomy, independence and a life of dignity," Mickoski said this was also his own political goal.

"Not to build a state that divides us, but one that unites us; a state for all, a state with a future. And that is why we are proudly building the foundations of change," Mickoski said.

"Those foundations are not just stone and concrete. They are justice, hope, institutions, a system that works for the people," he said, adding that "the way of governing has changed" and "the time of Macedonia is coming."

He also pointed out that Petrov's revolutionary fight was not just for territory but also for schools, civil rights, writing books, raising awareness and dignity. mr/