With a solemn lining up of the former Territorial Defence Squad “Kozjak” from Kriva Palanka in the presence of the President and Supreme Commander Dr. Gjorge Ivanov and Chief of Staff Goranco Koteski, today in the watch tower “Ramna Niva” at the Macedonian-Bulgarian border, the 20th anniversary of taking over of the border line by the Macedonian territorial unit from the former JNA was marked.

That morning, on March 11th, 1992, the territorial unit from Kriva Palanka, divided in three smaller units, took over the watch towers “Ramna Niva”, “Deve Bair” and “Kopriva” from the former JNA, and for the first time in the watch tower “Ramna Niva”, the Macedonian flag was hoisted.

Marking what happened 20 years ago we symbolically pay respect to all soldiers and officers, as well as the state leadership and the leadership of the Army for their efforts to mark the border of a sovereign and independent Republic of Macedonia”, President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov said after the ceremony.

He pointed out that with the peaceful surrender of the watch tower "Ramna Niva", the Republic of Macedonia then sent a message that it wants to mark in a peaceful manner what others did violently and with arms.

"Willingness was expressed that by setting the boundaries, we wanted to have peaceful relations with all our neighbors. With this act Macedonia demonstrated that it wanted to treat all its neighbors with dignity and in the interest of everyone living in the region and beyond", President Ivanov said.

"Exactly 20 years ago, on this day and right here, the dream of many generations of Macedonian activists to see Macedonia as an independent and sovereign state started to come true. On this day, the Macedonian flag was proudly displayed right here, on the watch tower "Ramna Niva"", stressed the then Defence Minister, Trajan Gocevski.

The then Commander of the District Headquarters of the Territorial Defence in Kumanovo, under whose authority was Kriva Palanka, General Gjorgi Karakutovski, reminded that March 11, 1992, is an important day and a historical moment deeply engraved in the overall history of Macedonia as a cornerstone in establishing the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the independence of our country.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov is due to address the Gala Academy, as part of the central celebration of the anniversary, which will be held in the Cultural Center in Kriva Palanka.