Skopje, 8 September 2024 (MIA) — Today we are celebrating the greatest beacon of the Macedonian state's existence, the final act of our centuries-long fight for freedom and independence, September 8, our Independence Day, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote in a social media post offering his best wishes to the nation on Independence Day.

"On this day, for the first time, we heard the words 'Congratulations to the sovereign and free Republic of Macedonia' at Macedonia Square, where we celebrated our independence," PM Mickoski wrote on Facebook, adding that this was the aspiration of the thousands who had fought for a free country of their own.

"Back then, we established the foundations of the Republic and created our institutions, but even today there are battles we must win together, different ones but equally important," he wrote.

The nation needs to overcome the disappointment resulting from crime and corruption, which are the most important problems to fight against, the prime minister wrote. "Let's invest every atom of our strength in building a future that every single person deserves," he said, adding that the state was now being given back to the people.

"Let's create a country of happy citizens and a strong economy. A society that will respond to real needs and offer real solutions. Let's keep our people here in our homeland. This generation has a duty to right the wrongs and create a future for generations to come," the PM wrote.

"This is our common battle, together we fight and together we will triumph!," Mickoski wrote, offering his best wishes to the nation. "May God bless Macedonia!," he added. mr/