The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today, at the Presidential Residence, presented the award "Boris Trajkovski" to Bernd Posselt, a member of the European Parliament. The award is bestowed by the Pan-European Union of Macedonia.
- I am pleased that today a true friend of Macedonia is presented with the “Boris Trajkovski” award, a friend who, for more than two decades has strongly supported Macedonia’s independence and the right to self-determination, national identity and welfare of its people. Mr. Bernd Posselt is following his political ideas, principles and ideals consequently and not under the influence of the daily politics. He is a strong voice in the European Parliament for the right of the all the smaller European Nations on their identity and integrity – said President Ivanov.
At the ceremony of presenting the award, Ivanov stressed that the Pan-European Union continuously supports the development, deepening and enlargement of the European Union and that it contributed to the achievement of the most recent agreement, the Lisbon Treaty, which is considered a step forward in the direction of geographical and political unification of the whole of Europe within the European Union.
According to him, by spreading the idea a united Europe, we best fight for the European values and ideals, freedom, democracy, rule of law, but also prohibition of the violation of individual rights to identity and dignity.
- Europe, which is based on these values, should remain faithful to the great vision of a united and open continent. Therefore, we encourage our European partners, in their approach towards Macedonia, to remain consistent and principled. We encourage them to use more frequently the compass of unity and unification. The Lisbon Treaty offers a chance. In the name of common future, in the name of the legacy of those who worked on unification, today's European leadership should demonstrate its vision and seize the opportunity - stressed President Ivanov.
According to Posselt, Macedonia deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize for what it did in 1999 with the refugee crisis as well as for the peaceful departure from Yugoslavia.
- The award for me personally is a huge incentive to work, to unite Europe on the basis of reconciliation. Macedonia should not join Europe. Macedonia is a European country, a country from the heart of Europe, said Posselt.
The President of the International Pan-European Union, Mr. Alain Terenoire, once again reiterated support for the Macedonia’s Pan-European Union.
- Macedonia has a friend and supporter in the Pan-European Union who will represent its legitimate interests, said Terenoire.
The Pan-European Union was established in 1923 as a movement that paved the road to unity, peace and progress. More than 60 years it has been working on the message for establishing a large, united Europe.