Prilep, 14 April 2024 (MIA) - Here in Prilep, we are showing our admiration for the heroism of the fighters, who back on 11 October 1941 started the battle for a free and independent Republic of Macedonia, said GROM presidential candidate Stevcho Jakimovski on Sunday.

"One can admire their heroism in rising against the Third Reich, against the Bulgarian fascist occupier, and standing on the right side of history. As a result of that struggle, they laid the foundations of a modern Macedonian state at the first session of the Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM), fulfilling the ages-long ideals of the Ilinden fighters and all those who laid their lives for the Macedonian state. Unfortunately, there have been many that erased ASNOM from the Constitution and continue today to rock the foundations of the Macedonian state," said Jakimovski.

He said times are hard, burdened by wars that might expand on European soil, noting the importance of who is supreme commander.

"Horrendous wars are ongoing 1,200 kilometers away. This clearly shows that we are living in difficult times and the supreme commander is very important in this aspect, because NATO did not have a single tank in Europe in 2013 and now it has 3,000. Therefore, we must be prepared for a possible conflict by urgently procuring weapons and ammunition, increasing the livestock numbers, food production, processing industry etc. If war comes to Europe, all borders will close, exports will stop and we will come to a situation similar to the one during the covid-crisis. A responsible president must take all aspects into account and prepare the country for the worst-possible scenario," said Jakimovski.

The GROM candidate also expressed his opposition to the inclusion of Bulgarians in the Constitution without complete closure of the "Bulgarian issue".

"We do not accept discussions on identity and language, whereas historians will have their say on historical figures. In addition, I believe that Macedonia needs urgent reforms in key sectors - education, health and state administration," added Jakimovski.

Photo: MIA