Distinguished Attendees,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

This year we celebrate 20 years since the establishment of the Pan-European Union of Macedonia and its membership in the International Pan-European Union. In a turbulent period when Macedonia was internationally contested, blocked and suppressed, the International Pan-European Union became our unfaltering advocate in Europe. It is with honor that we remember the words of the great European, the architect of the European Union enlargement, Dr. Otto von Habsburg, who said: "Europe will not be complete without Macedonia".

Esteemed Excellencies,

Macedonian membership in the International Pan-European Union is not the only anniversary that we are celebrating.

On November 1, 1993, exactly 20 years ago, the Maastricht Treaty on European Union came into force. A Treaty in which the European leadership reaffirmed its "attachment to the principles of liberty, democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and of the rule of law". A Treaty based upon the desire "to deepen the solidarity between their peoples while respecting their history, their culture and their traditions". These ideals have resulted in peace, hope and unity in our continent, in South East Europe and in the Republic of Macedonia and its multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual society.

The values of the European Union are Pan-European values. The roots of the European Union are watered from the Pan-European spring. Whenever things seem unclear, it is necessary to go back to the spring, where the water is purest. Count Kalergi said: "There is but one radical way to a permanent and just solution of the European frontier question, and that is: not the alternation, but the abolition, of those frontiers."

Count Kalergi's words are very popular today, as Europe is facing challenges.

The European Union is still recuperating from the economic, financial and credit crisis. Some of the traditional European values are at stake. Intolerance, radicalism and extremism are on the rise again. We have expected that some of the countries of South Eastern Europe that have earlier joined the Union would contribute to the Europeanization of the Balkans. Instead, we are witnessing Balkanization of the European policies towards the Republic of Macedonia. Instead Europeanization of the Balkans, we see Balkanization of the European Union. More often veto is used as a means of blocking the European future of two million Europeans - Macedonian citizens. This is reflected on the good neighborly relations and the future of the Republic of Macedonia and the entire region.

The contemporary European challenges can only be overcome by respecting fundamental European values, the values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, the right to self-identification and the right to human dignity. Only adherence to these Pan-European values and principles can help the European leadership to return Europe on the right track.

Distinguished Attendees,

Not long ago we received the fifth positive report of the European Commission on the Republic of Macedonia's progress. The fifth recommendation to open negotiations for membership of the Republic of Macedonia in the Union is an opportunity for the European leadership to overcome European challenges by adhering to the Pan-European values.

The recommendation to start negotiations for Macedonia's membership in the European Union is a message to the Union to remain faithful to its Pan-European roots. The tree and the branches should not boast against the root and the spring they are watered from. The root holds the tree, which dries up and gives no fruit without the root. European Union's consistency is necessary to maintain its integrity and credibility.

Dear Friends,

At a time when the European Union is facing challenges, it can learn a lot of the consistency that the International Pan-European Union repeatedly shows to Macedonia.

In the past two decades, Pan-Europe has never betrayed Macedonia, it has never disappointed us. Pan-Europe remained faithful to the ideals of a united European continent. Our Pan-European friends have always and everywhere supported Macedonia. Therefore, today we express our gratitude to Ms. Walburga Habsburg - Douglas with the award that is presented in honor of my great predecessor, President Boris Trajkovski. I regret that Ms. Habsburg - Douglas was unable to personally join us. The award will be handed over to her brother Georg Habsburg-Lothringen of Hungary, who is our great friend.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I shall conclude with the opening words of Count Kalergi in the foreword to the Manifesto of Pan -Europe: "Many have dreamt of a United Europe, but few are determined to create it. As an object of longing, it remains barren; but as an object of will, it becomes fruitful. The only force that can realize Pan-Europe is the will of the Europeans; the only force that can prevent its realizations is, again, the will of the Europeans".

Thank you.