Distinguished citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, September 8, we celebrate the 22nd birthday of independent, autonomous and sovereign Republic of Macedonia. We celebrate it in our home, a home built on stone, a house built on three Ilindens.

The first Ilinden, in 1903, was a struggle for freedom from slavery.
The second Ilinden, in 1944, was a struggle for statehood.
The third Ilinden, the one we celebrate today, was a struggle for independence, autonomy and sovereignty.

This holiday is a reminder of our successes. This holiday is a day when we celebrate the crucial decisions by which we have made the dreams of our ancestors come true - freedom, statehood and independence. This holiday is a day of celebration, but of reconsideration, too. A day when we realize what we have achieved and what we have not achieved, what we achieve today and what we are to achieve.

Respected fellow-citizens,

In the course of a human life, 22 years are a period of ripening, when from the carefree childhood and youth we enter the age of maturity. It is the age when we take responsibility. It is, indeed, the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new cycle in our life.

Compared to human life, in the history of one state, 22 years are only one moment. But it is a moment in which essential decisions are made, when we win or lose, when we survive defeats and when we celebrate successes.

In these past 22 years, many people doubted our maturity, perseverance and the ability to have our own state, to be on our own, to be responsible for ourselves.

Many people underestimated us, we were depreciated, and some even hindered us on our path to become and remain independent, autonomous and sovereign state.

We have experienced moments of euphoria and celebration, but also defeats and disappointments. We rejoiced the independence. And no matter what, we have proven that the one who withstands the temptations, will reach the goal. We have endured on our righteous path and we fulfill the dream of the Ilinden and ASNOM fighters.

That path was not easy, but it helped us in building ourselves. We have felt some people's selfishness, greed and injustice, but also friends' respect, solidarity and recognition. We are eternally grateful to them. Today, on September 8, the Independence Day, we leave a vow to our descendants to be grateful to those who encouraged and motivated us in the most difficult times.

Esteemed Excellencies,

Soon we will have the honor to pay tribute to some of Macedonia's friends who have recognized us at a time when many denied us. Friends who correctly understood the human right to self-identification and the right to human dignity. Friends who were not afraid to utter 'the Republic of Macedonia", at a time when others were hiding behind the beautiful epithets and metaphors, naming us "your country" or "your beautiful country", without mentioning the name Macedonia. Friends who saw in the Republic of Macedonia an equal member of the international community, a country with a dignified name, a country with a great past and a bright future.

In two days, I will bestow one of those friends of Macedonia, the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski. Decorations will also be awarded to the highest state officials of Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Macedonia remembers and never forgets. No one will be forgotten. Not only Macedonia's friends in Europe and the world. But all sons and daughters of our common homeland of Macedonia. I am honored that during my tenure I could symbolically express my and the Republic of Macedonia's gratitude to our emigrants and athletes, artists and scientists, to all of our deserving individuals and organizations. This noble practice will continue in the future as well.

Dear fellow-citizens,

The state is like a family. And for every family, one of the most important things is its neighbors. Every family wants to live in a good neighborhood.

The first day of independence started in a turbulent time of painful transformation and transition of our region. In such difficult circumstances, the Republic of Macedonia was determined to be a good neighbor, to be a factor of peace and stability, to help in the building of an advanced and prosperous region. It was not easy at all. And it is even not easy today. Notwithstanding, we have achieved a lot. Today the region is dramatically changed in a positive way.

Prejudices of some political elites still create problems in the relations between the states in the region. However, citizens' desires to be part of the European and Euro-Atlantic family are much stronger than prejudice. The EU integration path, being also the path of the future, successfully bypasses prejudice, as seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

All of us, elected by the citizens, are fully guided by the principle of openness to all. We promote old and establish new friendships for Macedonia. We have never spread fear and prejudice, we have never denied anyone. We have respected, accepted and valued diversity. We do the same today.

We are open to the world, to all countries, regions and civilizations. It is not by coincidence that Macedonia has initiated the Dialogue among Civilizations. It is not by chance that Macedonia has been recognized and respected within the Alliance of Civilizations. Openness and respect for diversity is Macedonia's strength.
In this regard, we do not choose between West and East, North and South. It is more than obvious who we are, where we are and where we want to be. And, we are willing to cooperate with all well-doers.

Distinguished citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

We have faced, in these 22 years, many internal political challenges. Many of the unlearned lessons from our transition to democracy even today hinder the success, progress and future of the Republic of Macedonia.

We have spent too much time in quarrels and disputes, in proving and self-assertion. This is not useful. Even the events of December 24 were not to happen. But for us it should be a learned lesson. We are closing a chapter that should never be repeated. We do this for us, but we expect it to be valued by the European Union, too.

We must not forget that integration is our objective, not a means of infinite lassitude in political quarrels. Integration is a means of unification, not of division. It is, indeed, the strategic goal of the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, Serbs, Roma, Vlachs, Bosniaks...,
Dear Christians, Muslims, Jews...,
Respected fellow citizens,

Our multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-confessional society cherishes values which for other societies are still a challenge. Values we need to protect and nurture. Values such as honesty, respect for differences, acceptance of diversity, mutual understanding. Values that have enabled our ancestors to live in peace, harmony and understanding, regardless of their ethnic, religious or linguistic belonging. Values that have allowed their children to play, grow and thrive together. Values that make us different than the others. Values not only we need to protect but to pass on to our children.

Therefore, today, on the Independence Day, I urge you to respect Macedonia with all its specificities. To love Macedonia with all its diversity. To protect and preserve our way of living, our values.

Dear fellow-citizens,

It is engraved in the Manifesto of the First Assembly of ASNOM: "We will live in Macedonia as we will build it". The same applies today. Every individual, every one of us is responsible for what is and what Macedonia will be.

Macedonia is a result of thoughts, words and deeds of our ancestors, laid into what we have today.
Macedonia is a set of dreams, desires and aspirations of all its children.
Macedonia is our every decision, habit and choice we make today, which is reflected in the future of the generations that come after us.

With each step taken we contribute to building Macedonia today and to Macedonia we will leave to our descendants. We contribute as parents and as children. As teachers and students, as businessmen, politicians, cultural workers. As soldiers and officers. We contribute as citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, regardless of our background.

Our decisions and actions will be reassessed by the most important judges.

The first judge is history, giving recognition to those who contributed with their deeds, heroism and sacrifice, judging those who worked against the interests of the state, people, citizens.

The second judge is the citizens, who, in a democracy, have the power and know how to reward those who contribute to the common good, the Republic, Macedonia. Macedonian citizens are righteous and wise judges who can say whether and to what extend someone has worked for their interests.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Spending our energy on issues that do not deserve attention, as if we loose sight of the main challenges of our society, the main challenges of the time we live in. As if there is a lack of competition in ideas and solutions to everyday challenges. As if there is a lack of debate on real problems. Debate which will not exceed the limits of public decency.

Citizens expect from everyone involved in politics, economy and civil society, in media, NGOs and public administration, in health, agriculture and industry, in education and science, culture and sport, in all segments of our society, to find their proper place in the Republic of Macedonia. And not only to find it, but also to fight to be better in what they do. The state can and wants to be a partner of everyone who wants to broaden horizons, who strives to be better. To create better conditions and environment for a life in Macedonia.

Reforms should not be perceived as a burden unjustly imposed, but as a well-intentioned challenge designed to make us stronger, more capable and better in what we do. Hence, no matter how painful, reforms are of mutual benefit to us all.

Our objective is competitiveness of our economy, employment growth, achievement of business standards and attracting new investment. Our goal is provision of quality education for our citizens. Quality services rendered by the administration.

Enough of topics used only for sowing fear and mistrust. They do not deserve our attention. Patriotism is not proven by word. Citizens very well recognize real patriotism. Act of true patriotism is improving citizens' living standards, opening new opportunities and perspectives for our children and students. Achieving highest standards in health, agriculture, industry. Providing dignified old age for retired people. Overall prosperity and development of Macedonia. Therefore, I strongly appreciate the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia that devotes so much time to make Macedonia a better place to live in. Deeds, not empty words, are patriotism.

Respected fellow-citizens,

Goce Delchev said that "the Macedonian would end slavery when he will stop being a slave in the soul". Thus, when we are free from the bondage of prejudice, bad thoughts and words, we will fully and unconditionally commit to the common good, to the country, to Macedonia.

Our athletes, for example. They are united in the national team and bring successes of the state, successes that we are all proud of, achievements that unite us all.

We are with our athletes in victories and in defeats. We cheer them at the sport fields. We encourage them in the country and abroad. We are always with them, as we know that real defeat is if you do not try to win, if you never dare to go out on the field. Our athletes are brave and courageous and represent Macedonia with dignity wherever they are.

Let us learn from the athletes. May we make Macedonia a winning team in every aspect of life!

In every segment of society, in every profession, we need commitment that befits a national team. A team that will achieve great successes and victories, that will win new peaks and new records in its domain. We need teams that will always elevate us and raise us on a higher level.

I have said and I will say it again: Let us build Macedonia in height, with the highest standards, criteria and principles.

In politics and business, in education and science, in agriculture and tourism, in information and telecommunication sector, in culture and sport, in every walk of human life, we need a national team. A team that will bring together diversity, that will reflect all the specificities of our society, and will represent the state, the Republic of Macedonia.

We need teams with ideas. Teams focused on achieving the goal and winning a victory. We should not seek excuses for failure, since excuses are the last stop which leads to lies and self-delusion.

Everything that has been done for young people is an investment in the future.

It is said that the past cannot be changed. But I say that it is only partially true. If today we change the present, tomorrow it will be the past of our children, who will remember or forget us, depending on whether we have invested in them or not.

Therefore, I urge you, today, to change the past for our children, so that tomorrow they can have a better future. Let us be active citizens. In everything we do we should be guided by the principles of self-responsibility, self-assistance and solidarity. Thus, we will be able to gain self-confidence and respect of others.

To have a responsibility to ourselves, responsibility for our thoughts, decisions and actions that affect our lives, but also the lives of our closest.

May we turn into independent individuals committed to the common goal. Therefore, it is said that if we help ourselves, then God will help us, too.

If we can help ourselves, then we can help others, share solidarity with those in trouble, with those in need of comfort, incitement and encouragement.

With this, we will return the debt to our homeland Macedonia. We are now building the foundations on which future generations are to be built and upgraded.

Dear fellow-citizens,

As long as we keep the ember for Macedonia, we kept the flame, too. As long as the flame is burning, there is light, there is future. We carry this light in our hearts and in our thoughts. That light is the freedom and love for Macedonia.

I will conclude with the message: Good thoughts lead to good words. And good words result in good deeds. For us, for our next of kin, for our fellow citizens, friends, for our homeland - Macedonia

Happy Birthday Homeland!
To our eternal freedom and independence!
Long live the Republic of Macedonia!