Skopje, 2 August 2021 (MIA) – Republic Day – Ilinden is a crucial day in the historic context of our country and an important day to celebrate the values of the Krushevo Manifest and ASNOM conclusions, which have served as pillars in the establishment of our common country alongside the Ohrid Framework Agreement, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said in a video address to the nation on Republic Day (August 2). Today, he said, we are faced with different challenges. “Our strategic interests since declaring independence have been translated in our ambition for full-fledged membership into NATO and the EU. The achievement of becoming the 30^th NATO member reaffirms our efforts to be on the right track to building togetherness and integration by following the values that symbolize today’s national holiday.” “After strengthening internal integration through the Ohrid Framework Agreement, after settling differences with our neighbor Greece through the Prespa Agreement, we will also settle the differences with our neighbor Bulgaria through the Friendship Treaty,” he noted, saying that Ilinden, too, is an important day for Bulgaria. Unfortunately, FM Osmani said, in the past and many times in the present, it was the reason behind discord rather than being used as the point for unity. “In modern times, it is our duty to make Ilinden a point, a day to unite us, a historic event to bring us together to show each other respect and recognition,” he said in an address.