The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov addressed the Gala Academy on the occasion of Sveti Sava – the National day of the Serbian community in Republic of Macedonia, held tonight at the Macedonian Opera and Ballet under his auspices.

Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a pleasure for me to address this Gala Academy on the occasion of the National Day of the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia. Availing myself of this opportunity I would also like to congratulate this holiday to all Serbs in Macedonia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
On January 27, the Serbian community celebrates the day dedicated to St. Sava, who was a prince and a monk, an educator and a missionary, a diplomat and a legislator, a healer and a constructor, the person who is a spiritual inspiration for the Serbs, wherever they are. We can say that what St. Clement of Ohrid for the Macedonian people is, St. Sava is for the Serbian people - an inexhaustible source of faith, hope and love towards God, towards ourselves and towards the closest ones, a spiritual strength and a signpost to the future, filled with freedom, humanity, prosperity and progress. These are values that our two neighboring nations have always nurtured, whenever faced with major challenges and major decisions.

Our friendly nations share a common past. Yet, we have a different opinion on some issues. However, what is important is that those differences do not affect our good neighborly relations at all. Our cooperation is a confirmation that today, in our region, we have modern future-oriented leaders, contemporary politicians who leave certain issues and dilemmas of the past aside, taking into consideration the new time.

What makes me particularly glad is the fact that as an interlocutor in the friendly Republic of Serbia I have President Tadic. We are both focused on the present and the future. We are both committed to maximum strengthening of economic ties, infrastructure and energy connectivity between the two countries. Therefore, we must immediately, with all our capacities, act in this important field to ensure our future which we both see in the great European family of nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
There is yet one thing that connects our two countries. On our European path, both, the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia, are facing imposed unprecedented conditions which are beyond the scope of the Copenhagen criteria. But I would like to assure you that we are not disappointed and discouraged. The Copenhagen criteria and our criteria as well. We are aware that we must be fully focused on fulfilling the standards in all social spheres, and not only because Brussels requires that from us. We are Europe and we, alone, have to create the European Union in our countries. Thus, the issue of formal accession of our two countries into the European Union will be purely a technical issue. Our citizens oblige us to this. They require it and deserve it.

I strongly believe that the Macedonian community in the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia are more than a connecting bridge. Our relations are based on the principle of mutual respect and appreciation. This is another example of how two neighboring countries work to cherish European values by protecting the rights of the communities. Indeed, I think that the Republic of Macedonia is probably the best example for this on the European continent. Macedonian multiethnic democracy aims at preservation, development and promotion of ethnic, linguistic and cultural heritage of the Republic of Macedonia. You are part of that heritage, the members of the Serbian community.

I want to acknowledge that the Republic of Macedonia is proud of the Serbian community, which is constitutionally recognized and socially appreciated. Community that enjoys all the rights. Our covenant is to build bridges of friendship between the two friendly peoples and countries in the future, and to walk together towards our European future, thus building the future of our region.

Thank you.