Skopje, 23 October 2024 (MIA) – The objective of every future generation is to make a step forward in safeguarding the identity. There have always been policies denying us, but we have to pursue our path, we have to understand that we have a better future, a country that we deserve, and this depends on us only, and no one else. We have to turn inwards, to appreciate ourselves more, to believe in ourselves and not to allow to be disillusioned that everyone has surpassed us and that we’re no good. This is not true. We would have joined the EU a long time ago if it weren’t for the bilateral issues, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said addressing Wednesday’s formal academy marking the Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle.

The Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle, October 23, he stated, should remind us that we are transitory, but our deeds and ideas speak for us. 

VMRO’s deed had allowed us to have an independent country and self-awareness, Mickoski stressed. 

VMRO, he added, is an indelible part of the Macedonian people. The PM also drew parallels between the current “thorny path” of Macedonian politics and what had happened in the past, in the organization, when “the methods were different, the obstacles crueller, but the core of the challenges was identical.”

“VMRO unquestionably belongs to the Macedonian people because the organization was the people, which included the leaders and the national heroes who bowed before the altar of the fight for freedom… I want everyone to celebrate this day, both the left and right side of the political spectrum, because VMRO is also their history. I want this day to be a holiday of all citizens,” Mickoski stressed in his speech. 

Referring to the current state of play, the PM lamented the fact that the term of every government is marred by historical or national issues. 

“I wished and I hoped that this term will focus primarily on reforms, measures, economy, development, but unfortunately, no government can end its term without some historical or national issues. It’s the curse we have to carry. The issue is alive because everyone has always tried to keep it alive due to their own regional or global interests. We mustn’t give up no matter how hard this challenge is,” said Mickoski.

President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova is also attending the October 23 formal ceremony, held at the Museum of Macedonian Struggle in Skopje. 

Photo: printscreen