Skopje, 1 January 2025 (MIA) – Wednesday marks the 13th anniversary from the death of the first president of independent Republic of Macedonia, Kiro Gligorov.

Kiro Gligorov became the first democratically elected president of the Republic of Macedonia on 26 January 1991 and served two terms until 19 November 1999. He led the country to independence that was declaimed after the referendum held on 8 September 1991 and managed to keep it out of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia.

During his presidential mandate, the country adopted its Constitution (November 1991) and became the 181st UN member.

Gligorov survived an assassination attempt in downtown Skopje in 1995.

He passed away at the age of 94.

MIA file photo