Brussels, 23 September 2025 (MIA) - On September 8, 1991, our citizens confirmed their commitment to independence in a referendum, paving the way for the creation of a modern, sovereign, and democratic state, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said in a video address at the reception held late Monday at the Brussels city council building on the occasion of Macedonian Independence Day – September 8.

“This was the culmination of a centuries-long aspiration for self-determination and a dignified life in our country. Over the past 34 years, our country has undergone deep transformation and a complete process of democratic transition,” Mucunski said.

He underscored that despite the challenges, our people have preserved their identity, language and tradition, while embracing freedom and democracy, for which, as he said, we are sincerely grateful to the European Union and its member states.

“Today the country is an active player on the international stage: a UN member, a proud NATO ally, fully aligned with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, and a signatory of the security partnership, thereby actively contributing to global peace and security,” Mucunski added. 

He underlined that EU membership continues to be the nation’s foremost political priority, demonstrated not only in words but also through concrete reforms.

“It is the future chosen by our citizens 34 years ago – a strong, sovereign, independent country as part of the European family. Independence is not a past event but a living process renewed daily. I firmly believe that one day the sun will shine alongside the stars of the European Union,” Mucunski added in his video address.

On his own behalf and on behalf of the other organizers of the reception, Acting Permanent Representative of the country to NATO, Ismail Ebipi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Macedonian Embassy in Belgium, Suzana Mehmedi, and the Military Representative to NATO and the EU, Colonel Ivica Ampov — the Head of the Mission of North Macedonia to the EU, Zulfi Ismaili, addressed the guests at the reception.

Ambassador Ismaili noted that since Independence Day in 1991, the country has undergone a path of transformation, from its challenging beginnings, when it needed support from the international community, to joining international organisaitions and becoming a reliable and valued member of the international community.

“From the very beginning, our Parliament unanimously decided that the two main strategic goals would be membership in NATO and the EU,” Ismaili said in his address to representatives of the Alliance, including NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, officials from EU institutions and the Belgian authorities, members of the diplomatic corps in Brussels, and members of the Macedonian diaspora in Belgium.

Ismaili noted that despite the many challenges we have faced during our European journey, we have never abandoned our EU membership aspirations, as evidenced by the consistent and strong support of our citizens for the country’s accession to the Union.

“This commitment was also confirmed by the recent Eurobarometer, showing that around 70 percent of our citizens hold a positive attitude and strong confidence in our EU membership aspirations. Gradual integration or, as we prefer to call it, accelerated integration through the Growth Plan, partial integration into the Single Market, and the signing of our security and defence partnership as the first country in the region, are significant steps that bring benefits even before our full membership,” Ismaili added.

He reminded that this year marks the fifth anniversary of our NATO membership, highlighting that the country has proven to be a reliable member of the Alliance, ensuring stability in the region amid unprecedented challenges.

The reception featured a performance by Macedonian singer Elena Petreska, who sang several folk and popular songs. Guests delighted in traditional dishes prepared by members of both missions and the Embassy in Brussels, including pies, homemade bread, gjomleze, ajvar, tavche gravche, sarma, various cheeses, and many other Macedonian specialties, accompanied by Macedonian wines.

Photo: MIA archive