Skopje, 8 April 2026 (MIA) - International Romani Day is not only a day of observance, but also a reminder that the value of human dignity is greater than anything else. This is not a day only of words, but also of decisions that require vision and courage. That is why our vision starts right here, with education accessible to every Roma child. With schools where there is no division, but opportunity. With a system that does not discriminate, but opens doors, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in his address at the event held in Parliament to mark the International Romani Day, April 8.

“Today we stand here, in the home of democracy, united around a value greater than any policy, any party and any day-to-day interest, the value of human dignity. International Romani Day is not only a day of observance. It is a day of remembrance. A reminder that behind every statistic there is a person, that behind every number there is a story, and that behind every challenge there is hope waiting to be recognized and supported. The Roma community is part of our history, culture and future - it is not ‘the other,’ but part of our society and our country’s fabric,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski said that we must all honestly acknowledge that there are challenges, barriers, as well as injustices that have lasted for too long.

“And precisely for that reason, this is not a day for words, it is a day for decisions, for vision and for courage. As Nelson Mandela said: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ That is why our vision starts right here with education accessible to every Roma child. With schools where there is no division, but opportunity. With a system that does not discriminate, but opens doors. With teachers who recognize potential, not prejudice. Every child has the right to dream, and it is our responsibility to turn those dreams into reality,” Mickoski said.

PM Mickoski said that integration does not mean assimilation, but equality, fairness, and the opportunity for every person to realize their value.

“I want to clearly underscore that this government does not only talk about integration, it actively works on it. We are implementing policies that deliver real results. We are working to improve access to education through scholarships, support for pupils and students and reducing early school dropout rates. We are working on including Roma in the labour market through active employment measures, retraining and support for small businesses. We are also working to improve living conditions through investments in infrastructure, housing, water supply, sewage system and access to basic services in areas that have been neglected for years,” Mickoski said..

He noted that they are also working on something even more important - breaking down invisible barriers, changing perceptions and building a society in which no one is judged in advance based on who they are.

“These are not promises. These are steps - concrete, measurable and aimed at one goal - real equality. I deeply believe that the greatest strength of a country is not its institutions, nor its laws, but its people - the individual, their dignity, their story, their struggle. I have seen how people who have nothing possess the most. They have heart. They have honor. They have a desire to create a better life for their children. And that is something that must not be ignored or underestimated. For me, the person is the measure of everything, not position or wealth,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski said his respect for everyone is unconditional and based on the belief that every person deserves a chance, respect, and a dignified life.

“And when we strip away labels, when we push aside prejudice, when we remove the burden of history, what remains is one thing: the human being with their dreams, their hopes, their struggle. As Martin Luther King Jr. said: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ This thought is not just a quote; it is a warning. It is a mirror in which we must see ourselves. It is a call not to remain silent when someone is treated unfairly, and not to step back when we must stand up in defense of justice,” PM Mickoski said in his address on the occasion of International Romani Day, April 8.

Photo: MIA