Skopje, 7 September 2023 (MIA) – In his address at Parliament’s reception Thursday on the occasion of September 8 – Independence Day, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi said it is high time for everyone to be responsible, with a clear view and vision for the future, which mustn’t deviate from the direction that leads to the rule of law and the respect of the rights and obligations of all citizens of North Macedonia, as a shared home for all. 

“With today’s reception we mark 32 years since the historic decision from the referendum in which the citizens freely expressed their will, while your colleagues, the MPs, effectuated that desire for an independent, sovereign state as an international recognized and an equal member of the community of nations. The strategic priorities were determined as well, towards which we were to lead and develop the country which was still young, with a fragile democracy, and in which the foundations for growth, development and survival had to be placed,” said Xhaferi.

“The strategic goals were and still are,” Xhaferi stressed, “priorities around which we stood united as a state, as politicians and as citizens, always with the belief that membership in the most powerful military and political alliances, NATO and the European Union, is the crucial guarantee that secures continuity.”

“In order to fulfill these two goals, we faced challenges that always led us to complex crossroads that tested our wisdom, our strength, unity and vision. From the past we learned the most important lesson – that only together, united and unanimous, can we have the strength to reach our shared goal and be prepared to successfully overcome the next obstacle. That’s how we overcame the thirty-year dispute that isolated us from the world, as well as our equal participation in international organizations and processes. We continued onward despite the numerous dilemmas, uncertainties, doubts and the drop in trust among the citizens. We held the first Intergovernmental Conference, and we are awaiting the second, which will also mean a beginning of negotiations for full-fledged EU membership,” said Xhaferi, adding that everyone agrees there is no alternative to EU integration.

Xhaferi briefly touched upon the events and conditions “which have led to a weakening of the economic, energy, health systems and the overall well-being and progress of the world and nations.”

“Specifically, the war in Ukraine has been undermining the security and stability for the continent for quite some time now, which causes additional hardships for the lives of the citizens and the functioning of the states. As a country, the bad domestic news which undermine the faith in a better tomorrow are also having a shattering impact. The latest news concerning the Oncology Clinic is a confirmation of the level of deviation and the loss of humanity among us. We mustn’t remain blind and deaf, we mustn’t let this go unpunished. I believe that the judicial power will justify the trust that we have given it,” said Xhaferi.

The Parliament Speaker said it is time for the country to celebrate good and positive events, and for that, he said, “it is high time for all of us to be responsible, with a clear view and vision for a future which mustn’t deviate from the direction that leads to the rule of law and the respect of the rights and obligations of all citizens of North Macedonia, as a shared home for all.”

“We have to protect our country, to develop and promote it. For us, for our citizens and for all citizens who see their future there where they naturally belong, in the Republic of North Macedonia, as a full-fledged member of NATO and the European Union. Happy Independence Day,” said Xhaferi in his speech.

The reception in Parliament was attended by members of the Government, MPs, and other stakeholders. The only opposition MP present at the reception was Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

Photo: MIA