The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the national holiday October 23 - Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle, sent a congratulation message to the citizens of Macedonia.

Respected fellow citizens,

Today, October 23, we celebrate the day when in 1893 six united Macedonians created the first all-Macedonian organization that gave the basic guidelines for establishment of a free, independent and sovereign Macedonian state. Their mission united the people of Macedonia, regardless of their ethnic, religious or linguistic affiliation in the common struggle for freedom, statehood and independence.

The years that followed brought casualties and temptations. There were many lost battles and slain warriors. But the fight for freedom did not stop. The road to freedom began by the six young patriots was continued by our fighters and partisans, our Ilinden fighters and fighters in the National Liberation and Anti-Fascist struggle. 25 years ago, on September 8, 1991, on our third Ilinden, the eternal quest for a free, independent and sovereign Republic of Macedonia as a democratic state in which all are equal and the same was finally attained.

Celebrating the day of the six founders of the idea of a free, sovereign and democratic Macedonia, we are reminded of the essence of this holiday. And it is that only when we are united – we win, but when we are divided – we decline.

Today, the Republic of Macedonia is divided more than ever before in the past quarter century. The internal divisions are also reflected on the national interests of Macedonia's European future.

On behalf of our heroes from the past, and our children, who are the heroes of the future, I invite you to put our strength to reconcile and unite. To build a culture of dialogue and compromise, and a sense of unity around the national interests. And, above all, to respect each other, despite our deepest political and ideological differences. Only then will we manage to add to the victories of the past victories in the future. Only united will we manage to persevere on our way to a prosperous, happier and richer Republic of Macedonia.

Many happy returns to the Day of Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle!

Long live the Republic of Macedonia!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov