Skopje, 2 August 2023 (MIA) — The resolve and the spirit of togetherness of the 1903 Ilinden and ASNOM in 1944, as well as the unwavering faith and perseverance that created the hearth of our homeland, today are our roadmap to the future, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said at a ceremony marking the Day of the Republic at the Kale fortress in Skopje.

 

"Our efforts for an autonomous state, which began with establishing the Krushevo Republic, were realized by our National Liberation War heroes. The Ilinden rebels in 1903 raised their voices for freedom and justice. After the National Liberation War and the First Session of ASNOM in 1944, the Macedonian people won their national freedom and founded their own state, with an official Macedonian language. This shows how important is to be aware of one's strategic goals and how important is to persevere in achieving them," PM Kovachevski said.

 

The profound democratic values the Republic of Krushevo was founded on, promoting social, national and religious equality in the Krushevo Manifesto, are what the modern Republic of North Macedonia is also founded on, Kovachevski stressed.

 

"The Krushevo Republic existed only 10 days, but it was, is, and will be a symbol of the state-building aspirations of the Macedonian people and Macedonian statehood," he said.

 

No matter the challenges the country faced in the three decades of independence, Kovachevski said, the state had made pivotal decisions inspired by the courageus people of Ilinden and ASNOM.

 

"Electing the first government. Deciding to hold the historic referendum in 1991, after which independent and sovereign Republic of Macedonia was declared. Adopting the Constitution as the highest law that completed the long historical process of constitution of the state. Deciding on the country's membership in the United Nations. Announcing the first parliamentary elections after our independence. Deciding to strengthen the internal integration of ethnic communities through the Ohrid Agreement. And finally deciding on our joining NATO, with which, after many years of waiting and isolation, we achieved one of our country's two strategic goals set since our first day of independence," Kovachevski said.

 

He added that North Macedonia now had the chance to become a member of the European Union by 2030.

 

"As an equal member of NATO, we ensured our territorial integrity," he said, noting that the country had also "opened the negotiation process [with the EU], placing the Macedonian language at the same level as other official European languages."

 

"The Frontex agreement we signed with the European Commission in Macedonian is proof of this. As is the translation of all European legislation into the Macedonian language, which is ongoing," Kovachevski said.

 

According to him, his government has acted on the Ilinden and ASNOM bequest, which should also guide future decisions important for the nation. 

 

 

"Whether we follow the vision and courage of the people of Ilinden and ASNOM and build a European state, integrated into the great European family, or whether we remain alone and isolated, is only up to us," the prime minister said.

 

"Anyone calling for patriotism in making future decisions that ensure the continuity of our progress that began with Ilinden and ASNOM should look deep within," he said.

 

"Ilinden and ASNOM are distinguished by resolve, not giving up. Because only giving up is defeat. Resolve is victory, because it is based on faith," he added.

 

The hearth of the homeland, he continued, meant full homes, smiling children, motivated young people, and happy people. "If our citizens' and especially our young people's dream is to live in a European country, then let it be here, in their native country," he said.

 

"The hearth of our homeland, which was created in flames and blood, let's preserve it! Don't let it become empty! Let there be people writing, creating, speaking in the Macedonian language. Because, as Blazhe Koneski said, 'Language is our only homeland.' As long as we protect it, cherish it, nurture it, safeguard our Macedonian language, we will be sure we also have our homeland. Our house, our home, our hearth," Kovachevski noted.

 

He recalled that the country had been an isolated state for a decade before making some wise and brave decisions that garnered wide international support and recognition for it as a functional multi-ethnic democracy.

 

He said North Macedonia was now an example for the region and Europe by promoting the Macedonian language and identity and by respecting the rights of all other ethnic communities — Albanians, Turks, Vlachs, Serbs, Roma, Bosniaks and all others living in the country together for centuries.

 

 

"And we have nothing to worry about, because Europe needs this Macedonian state of ours, our successful multi-ethnic story, just as much as we need the EU," Kovachevski said.

 

"Guided by the togetherness and resolve of Ilinden and ASNOM," he added, "we have a duty to make decisions that pave the way forward for future generations."

 

PM Kovachevski attended the Ilinden ceremony joined by a government delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi, Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Bytyqi, and Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska.

 

 

Earlier in the day, a delegation consisting of Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski, and Deputy Minister of Justice Viktorija Avramovska Madikj laid flowers at the ASNOM Memorial in the Woman Warrior park, at the Nikola Karev Memorial in front of Parliament, and at the Metodija Andonov Chento Memorial at the City Square.

 

 

Flowers were laid also by other government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, political parties, and civil associations. The celebration also included music performances. mr/