Skopje, 15 August 2023 (MIA) - Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Political System and Inter-Community Relations, Artan Grubi, attended and addressed the Monday event marking 22 years since the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

The Government's press service announced on Tuesday that during the event, PM Kovachevski and Deputy PM Grubi, awarded participants with certificates for successful completion of the school of young leaders "Peace Forum Dialogue" titled "Integration through reconciliation" which was organized by the Ministry of Political System and Community Relations.

"This year marks 22 years from the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, when our country opened a new chapter within its recent history in the spirit of peace, good neighborliness and mutual respect. For a county that for more than two decades was facing the possibility of conflict, we grew into a symbol for multi-ethnicity, multiconfessionalism and multiculturalism. The Ohrid Framework Agreement sent a message that problems are not solved though conflict, only through dialogue and debate. Now, as the agreement itself states, There are no territorial solutions to the ethnic issue," Kovachevski said.

He also highlighted an undeniable fact that the Ohrid Agreement brought peace and set a solid framework for interethnic relations, and above else coexistence, protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty, which was achieved with the creation of the Secretariat for the Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which eventually grew into the Ministry of Political System and Community Relations.

Kovachevski stressed the importance of the school of young leaders, which for the second year has been organized by the Ministry of Political System and Community Relations.

"The Republic of North Macedonia learned a lesson from the past. We learned that challenges make us stronger and they encourage us to move forward because we are stronger together. We waited a long time for the chance to join the EU for a better and improved life for all, to miss it now. I am aware of the challenged that lie ahead, but I also hope that those in charge of the process know that our country deserves a better tomorrow and a better present. Citizens expect us to bravely move forward, together and as one, let's fulfil our decade-long commitments as citizens of the European Republic of North Macedonia," PM Kovachevski said.

Deputy PM Grubi, the press release adds, emphasized that one of the main topics of the second edition of the “Peace Forum Dialogue” is knowledge over true values of the policies for cooperation, European and pro-American policies, as guaranteed success for a better future.

"From the moment the Ohrid Framework Agreement was signed until now, we have a new generation that probably is not that aware of the Agreement, the county, and the achievements reached with this agreement. This generation of 22-year-olds, and even those older, need to be informed of this historic peace process," the press release reads.

The Peace Forum Dialogue and the Peace Festival, Grubi said, convey the appropriate values of democracy, as to not repeat past mistakes.

"They send messages for peace and tolerance for a better future, citizens can use these activities to learn that as our country became a full member of NATO, it will become a member of EU as well," Grubi stated. ssh/sk/

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia

video: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia