Detroit, 28 September 2025 (MIA) - The diaspora must be an equal partner in building Macedonia as a decent place to live in, where young people will stay and where you, the emigrants, will achieve your quest for happiness, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said delivering keynote remarks at A Legacy of Unity Gala: 20 Years of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) in Detroit, as part of her working visit to the United States.

"In search of happiness, some of you or your parents, grandparents, have settled in the United States and Canada. Wherever you are, you, the emigrants, create values ​​and gain respect in your new environments, with a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. You are found in almost every segment of society - as successful businesspeople and managers, top scientists and doctors, renowned artists and award-winning athletes, renowned publicists and professors. Looking at the examples of Mike and Marian Ilitch, John Bitove, Mike Zafirovski, Svetlana Mojsova, Kris Pavlovski, to name just a few of the Macedonian emigrant constellation, one would say that successful emigrants have already achieved happiness," said Siljanovska-Davkova. 

As MIA's correspondent reports, addressing the large number of emigrants, not just to Detroit, but also other parts of the U.S. as well, she asked whether there is true happiness without identity, without a sense of belonging.

"For the diaspora, the search for happiness does not end abroad but continues towards Macedonia. Your happiness largely depends on the happiness of the homeland," said the President.

She pointed out that since the independence, the success of the Macedonian state has been measured by whether it is a decent place to live in and whether it offers equal opportunities for progress to all its citizens. It is precisely this right, she said, that is threatened by corruption, "but also by the long-standing unjust blockades to our European integrations that have exhausted the state and still frustrate Macedonian citizens, violating their dignity, your dignity, and our dignity."

"Therefore, more and more of our young people believe that the search for happiness leads outside our homeland. The emigration of young people has become the greatest threat to the future of Macedonia. To prevent the exodus, before it is too late, we need help from the diaspora," Siljanovska-Davkova said. 

According to her, decisions have been made in the past also affecting the Macedonian diaspora without it being consulted. "Compromises were made at the expense of the symbols and attributes of the Macedonian state and the Macedonian identity. This is especially difficult, given that emigrant Macedonia is more numerous than domicile Macedonia. To neglect the Macedonian diaspora means to ignore more than half of the people," the President pointed out. 

She believes that such a relationship has led to alienation between the homeland and the diaspora, to the detriment of state and national interests, adding that, however, there have always been people on both sides with great understanding, who maintained the connection between the homeland and the diaspora.

"The diaspora is a part of Macedonia, just as Macedonia is a part of the diaspora. My commitment to the diaspora is more than election rhetoric. Our Government is drafting a five-year National Strategy for the Diaspora, in which my office actively participates through its representatives. This strategy should enable the diaspora to be much more actively involved in the public debate and in strengthening the state. In addition, as I promised in my election program, I plan to establish a diaspora council within the Office of the President," said Siljanovska Davkova. 

Therefore, she added, "the state will continue to make efforts to strengthen your ties with Macedonia." She pointed out that policies towards the diaspora must be non-partisan and prioritized, regardless of who is in power.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us. Countries with strong diasporas prosper. Countries with weak diasporas stagnate. And this is not just about financial resources or lobbying, but about something much deeper. It is about transferring values, sharing knowledge and skills, raising expectations for the standard of living, cultivating more sustainable habits. Just as the homeland should preserve the past of the diaspora, the diaspora safeguards the future of the homeland," the President pointed out.

For her, there is no better way to wrap up her visit to the United States than by meeting with the Macedonian diaspora in the U.S.

"The Macedonian story is woven from threads of family stories, not only at home, but also in the diaspora. But your story is also our story, and ours is also yours and will last as long as it is told," President Siljanovska-Davkova said in her address.

UMD chairman Argie Bellio also addressed the event, noting that our people from the diaspora always help where most needed and adding that millions of dollars have been invested in the homeland so far. He announced that the support from the UMD, which started as a movement 20 years ago and is now the Diaspora, will continue, because, as he said, that is called patriotism.

President Siljanovska-Davkova was presented with the UMD “Global Statesman” award by UMD co-founder and president emeritus Meto Koloski, while Marian Ilitch, a Macedonian-American businesswoman, received the inaugural UMD “Daughter of Macedonia” award. Former Minister without Portfolio in Charge of Foreign Investments Jerry Naumoff is the recipient of the UMD "Macedonian Heritage Public Service" award. UMD’s 20th Anniversary Gala also featured the Macedonian Diaspora’s 40 Under 40 Awards Ceremony. 

Photo: President Siljanovska-Davkova's Office