Pelince, 2 August 2021 (MIA) – The continuity of defining the Macedonian state is still being built on the values and principles established in 1903 on Ilinden and in 1944 at ASNOM and the third Ilinden is our continuity to affirm the values our country is built on, recognized worldwide, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in his speech in Pelince at one of the three key ceremonies marking Monday the 118th anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising and the 77th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM). “Ilinden shouldn’t be left in the past, we have to carry its torch into the future where we belong,” he said addressing delegations of Parliament, the President’s Office, political parties and diplomats in attendance. Ilinden, he stressed, has no ties with either ideology, it surpasses the borders of any era. “Ilinden is an ongoing process coded in the spirit of Macedonians, Albanians, Roma, Serbs, Turks, Vlach, Bosniaks and all people living, working and fighting for a better future of our country.” Stressing that every generation has its own Ilinden, Zaev referred to the declaration of independence in 1991. “This year marks three decades of independence. May we celebrate the historic event as a precious part of our state continuity as third Ilinden,” said the PM. He reiterated that North Macedonia’s UN ID has been solidified underlining that Macedonian is the official language. “Our third Ilinden is our fight and our victory of democratic over decadent values… Let us stop chest beating over who’s the bigger patriot to promote partisan interest so as to win more votes in elections. I won’t stop calling for unity for our citizens, for joint process in building a society for all,” Zaev said. Mentioning that 2021 marks the 20^th anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, he said that “it is our duty to protect our equal society for all.” Zaev pledged the country would become a member of the EU to meet its second strategic goal after joining NATO. He also referred to the country’s relations with its neighbors. “North Macedonia has never harmed a neighbor nor it intends to. We’ve always been and remain on the sunny side of peaceful resolution of all misunderstandings and conflicts. Instead of a source of problems, we have come a source of ideas and initiatives for solutions that push the region forward,” PM Zaev stressed. Calling Bulgaria a friend, he said that the day is not far away when the Macedonian and Bulgarian people will realize that Bulgaria will not be an obstacle for North Macedonia. PM Zaev is leading a government delegation at the Pelince celebration of Republic Day with other members including First Deputy PM Artan Grubi, Deputy PM Ljupcho Nikolovski, Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski and Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska. Earlier, they laid wreaths at the monument in the ASNOM Memorial. Zaev, Grubi, Nikolovski and Spasovski will attend Ilinden’s central event in Krushevo at 6 pm, organized by President Stevo Pendarovski. https://youtu.be/UEpihiwEq3Y