Skopje, 23 October 2025 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in his October 23 address at Thursday’s formal academy said nowadays the country is faced with different challenges that are of equal importance for the future of the country and nation.

We should never give in when it comes to the interests of our Macedonian identity and the interests of Macedonia, he pledged.

“As prime minister, I’m aware of every one and one of the most crucial is the fight for better living standards. This is something the people want and need. The fight for the European Union should be seen through the longing for better life and standards because our goal, despite all the blows and obstacles, remains the path we want to complete. This path is our birth right although the concessions we’d made weren’t fair. The people accepted them with a feeling of disappointment. It’s not one or two, it slowly becomes an unprincipled way of behaviour,” concluded PM Mickoski in his address at the October 23 formal academy in Skopje.

Regarding the latest calls for constitutional change and inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution, Mickoski said the main question that is being opened is – “what do we get and is this the end?”

“Our every next move should be a response to these questions and through the prism of protection and safeguarding – first of all, guarantees that this will be the last one and that we’ll get something tangible and predictable – of crucial importance for the state and the citizens. Secondly, our eastern neighbour to demonstrate European values and to respond in the same way involving the Macedonian community in Bulgaria.”

“Europe doesn’t need us mutilated. It needs us with dignity and pride, the way we are.”

We, Mickoski said, showed our EU commitment through sacrifices even to our detriment. “No one has the right we didn’t make a sacrifice for what we want – which is to be a full-fledged member of the European Union.”

As throughout history, he noted, there always be some who are ready to give more, accept more.

“Our opposition is ready to accept much more and to give much more. Because by trading what is ours, to them it serves as the card allowing them to stay relevant in politics without thinking about the damage they are making not only to themselves but also to the entire country and the future generations. I am fully aware that their only obstacle is VMRO-DPMNE and the coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE. But, we have to carry that role on our backs due to our people. We should never give in when it comes to the interests of our Macedonian identity and our beautiful country Macedonia,” stressed Mickoski.  

Imagine a situation, the prime minister added, if we were to act united, and the opposition would be the one to pressure us and courageously guard the red lines, around which clouds and dust would not be created for suitcases, gifts for the eastern neighbour and stories about businesses.

“And it is precisely their behaviour so far that has anchored and pinned them to third, fourth place in terms of support - becoming a secondary player on the political scene here at home,” said Mickoski in his address at an event on the occasion of the Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle - October 23.

Photo: goverrnment