Skopje, 2 August 2023 (MIA) - The European idea of ​​120 years ago from the Krushevo Manifesto on freedom, unification and prosperity is already within reach. Now, as I believe you know, the Republic of North Macedonia, the citizens and first and foremost the political factors in the country are facing another big and substantial decision. Whether we will continue to move forward towards the Euro-Atlantic integration of the country, something we have committed to as a country since the independence in 1991, or we will get stuck on the blind Balkan track that leads us nowhere, is a choice that needs to be made by overcoming whims, understanding reality and getting out of the narrow and selfish party interests that promise some other future which is an unrealistic mirage even for the greatest optimists, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi said in his speech at the Mechkin Kamen Monument in Krushevo on Wednesday. 

Addressing the gathering on August 2, the Day of the Republic - Ilinden, Xhaferi stressed that these are not times for naive trickery that will result in extremely irreversible consequences, from which no one will be able to get away afterward.

"It is time for reason, it is time for responsibility and high awareness and conscience, time to make the best decision for the future of the country and the citizens. As difficult as it is, it is still a statesman's decision and responsibility must be taken. Even if it is at the cost of some future political defeat, at the cost of positive or negative repercussions, the future will confirm whether the right decision was made. Because, in today's context, if we analyze the former historical decisions, and there were many of them, even then there were those who thought the decisions were wrong, but time and the current recognized and respected status of the Republic of North Macedonia in an international context confirms that they were the right decisions. Starting with the independence referendum in 1991, membership in the United Nations, full-fledged membership in the NATO Alliance, with all the benefits that we enjoy as a member," Xhaferi pointed out.

According to him, we have one common country, and we are all responsible to protect and develop it.

"The path that we should follow has been paved a long time ago, since the first Ilinden fighters. They were aware that only by overcoming the narrow and selfish framework, by opening the mind and strongly embracing the benefits offered by unity, we will be an example of new and added value in the region and beyond. It is our debt to all those who fought for such a civil state and society in which the new generations will live, grow, be educated and create in a free, independent, modern and progressive country in which we will celebrate Ilinden together with joy, in honor to all the revolutionaries who played a part in the creation of a European Republic of North Macedonia, and we will be proud European citizens," the Parliament Speaker noted.

Unity, he added, has no price. 

He commented on the benefits of NATO membership, as well as the support the country received from strategic and international friends.

"Would have we been able to be peaceful in the current security context on the European continent if we were not under the security umbrella of NATO, the most powerful military-political Alliance? Let's not be fooled, no one can defend themselves alone, but we are strong only when united with the entire advanced and democratic world! The war in Ukraine convinced us all how quickly the state of peace and stability can change and rapidly increase not only security, but also economic, energy, food and other challenges on the continent that we can only deal with if we are part of the great European family. We cannot forget the material, human, infrastructural and all other support we received from our strategic and international friends at the time of the health crisis with the Covid pandemic, amid the wildfires, floods, as well as the protection of the borderline during influx of refugees," said Xhaferi.

Opening his speech, the Speaker noted that 120 years ago in Krushevo the spark was lit in the struggle for a free and independent state. The Krushevo Manifesto, Xhaferi said, was the document in which the author and the leaders of the Ilinden Uprising - Nikola Karev, Goce Delchev, Dame Gruev, Pitu Guli and other known and unknown heroes showed that they have highly developed civilizational values ​​and principles of unity, tolerance and respect for human rights and freedoms, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender or social status. More than a century ago, with the vision they had, they spoke and fought for freedom, for justice, respect for human rights, coexistence, tolerance and understanding, for a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional society. 

"The legislative house has the honor this year to be the bearer of the activities in the very heart of the Krushevo Republic, where the first spark was lit in the hearts of the bravest, a spark that ignited into the fire of the fight for a free and independent state. Exactly 120 years have passed since that day, so that today, and in fact, all the days around this great date for the nation-building, beautiful events and activities take place to mark the greatness and importance of Ilinden. And how can it be otherwise? The Krushevo Republic, which really had a short, ten-day life, was nevertheless an indicator and a turning point in the history of realizing the centuries-old dream of a free and independent state," said Xhaferi.  

The top state delegation led by Xhaferi to celebrate Ilinden in Krushevo includes MPs Mile Taleski, Ljupcho Balkovski and Petar Risteski, while the Government representatives include Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupcho Nikolovski, Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska, and Minister of Education and Science Jeton Shaqiri. 

The delegation laid flowers at the Nikola Karev tomb inside the Makedonium monument at Gumenje, at the Monument to Fallen Fighters on Sliva Hill, and at the Mechkin Kamen Monument.

Photo: Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia / printscreen