The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today awarded the Order “September 8th” to Academician Nikola Kljusev, President of the first Expert Government of the Republic of Macedonia for his outstanding contribution in tracing the path of independent, sovereign Republic of Macedonia, its territorial integrity and in the strengthening of its international position and reputation.

Achievement of statehood was no easy process. It required courage, will and commitment. Thanks to the leadership of Nikola Kljusev, the foundations and pillars of independent Macedonia were laid, along with the national currency, Macedonian police and Macedonian army. In a time when a conflict erupted in the region of former Yugoslav Federation, Macedonia managed to enact its independence and territorial sovereignty through peaceful withdrawal of the former Yugoslav Army, which was not the case in the other republics, said President Ivanov in his address on the occasion of awarding the recognition to Academician Klusev.

President Ivanov stresses that the Order “September 8th” is an opportunity to thank one of the most significant individuals from the recent Macedonian history, for his contribution in the promotion and affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia as a democratic, sovereign and independent state. The thing that Nikola Kljusev dedicated his life to has been a reality for 20 years now. However, our road does not stop here. What Nikola Kljusev and his contemporaries started must be continued decently. We have to provide prosperity and progress for our people. Macedonia's future lies in its full integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures, which will guarantee our prosperity and accelerate economic development. Despite the unprincipled obstructions on this path, I assure you that we will persevere and achieve our goal, said President Ivanov in presence of many invitees, guests, members of the first and the incumbent Government and members of the family of Nikola Kljusev, who presented the order to his son, Ljudmil Kljusev.


Ljudmil Kljusev extended his gratitude for the recognition and said he is glad that the deeds of his father are continued and that the road he traced is followed. He recalled the early years when, as he said, the skeleton of Macedonian state policy was being established. Addressing the present ministers of the transitional government, he stressed that they, as members of the reforming government, have made the Macedonian Perestroika. You adopted the Macedonian Constitution, introduced the Macedonian currency, you went out on September 8th in Skopje, of course with him, and sang the Macedonian anthem, opened the champagne. In those days in Macedonia, when there was the federal government of Yugoslavia, it was not easy for Kljusev to say no and goodbye to the army. He, along with his fellow citizen and childhood friend, the Minister of Interior, Jordan Mijalkov, went into the barracks of the Yugoslav Army, seized the documents and urged Macedonian sons to fight for Macedonia. Brave men are needed for this... said Ljudmil Kljusev, who spoke about his father’s engagement as Minister of Defence and for his efforts in the economic sphere.