Skopje, 9 May 2023 (MIA) - President Stevo Pendarovski delivered an address Tuesday at the online summit of heads of state and government of member-states of the Core Group on the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, saying North Macedonia has continually highlighted the importance of an independent and effective international criminal court.

President Pendarovski said the world is faced with a new turning point in history, the first since the end of the Cold War. The use of force by Russia against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is an act of aggression, clearly violating Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter and representing a challenge for the international legal order.

"It is obvious that full accountability for the military and other crimes related to Russia's war must be ensured, including for the crime of aggression. We fully support the joint statement on the establishment of the Special Tribunal as an international mechanism that aims to prosecute crimes of aggression committed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and bring perpetrators to justice in line with international law," said Pendarovski.

Since the very beginning, he added, North Macedonia has condemned Russia's illegal invasion in the strongest possible terms.

"I can assure you of North Macedonia's unwavering support to the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We must be united and in solidarity with Ukraine because Ukrainians not only defend their own country but also defend the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. I assure our Ukrainian friends that together with our international partners, we will do everything to make sure that Ukraine prevails, that international law is observed and its peace and territorial integrity are fully restored within its internationally recognized borders," noted Pendarovski.

The President added that all generations of post-WWII European politicians were convinced that the continent would never again witness such tragedies.

"Today marks the 78th anniversary from the end of the disastrous World War II. The post-war period created conditions for deep transformation of the world into an international order with liberal values and effective international institutions. All generations of post-WWII European politicians were convinced that the continent would never again witness such tragedies. Unfortunately, this summit is taking place amid unseen challenges for Europe's security architecture, resulting from Russia's unlawful invasion in Ukraine," concluded President Pendarovski.