Distinguished Citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,
Dear Guests,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

"Europe is not merely a continent, it is also an idea. This idea is called liberty." With these words, Coudenhove Kalergi opens his 1933 Appeal to Europe. The year when Nazism came to power, which, along with fascism, are the greatest enemies of liberty, of Europe, of humanity in general.

The greatest evils of the 20th century brought more death and destruction than any other human idea.
55 million people died in the World War II.
Over 6 million were brutally killed in the death camps. Among the millions of Holocaust victims, 98% of Macedonian Jews disappeared, too, of whom 50% were children.
Millions homeless, refugees and displaced were separated from their beloved families and centuries-old hearths.
The evils against humanity, done during the WW II, are the cruelest and most realistic metaphor of the 20th century. They never become obsolete and are never forgotten.

The fight against fascism and Nazism is a fight for freedom. The fight for freedom is a fight for Europe.

For many European countries, the anti-fascist struggle was ideological struggle against fascism and Nazism as the greatest evils of the 20th century. For the Macedonian people, however, the anti-fascist struggle was also a struggle for national liberation of Macedonia.

Today, Europe celebrates the victory fought by the wise leaders and bold soldiers from both sides of the Atlantic.
We respectfully and gratefully remember all fighters and heroes of Macedonia who took part in the great struggle for a free Macedonia.

Their vow obliges us to remember and never forget that the struggle for a free Macedonia was also a struggle for a free Europe. For a fascism- and Nazism-free Europe.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

"World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it," is written in the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950.

The ashes of the ruined and divided Europe bore the idea of a united Europe as a peace project.

The fathers of modern Europe were peacemakers, who erased the bloody boundaries and centuries-old prejudices with the project of a united Europe.

The European integration has essentially and thoroughly changed our continent - Europe.

For the first time in history, mistrust, divisions and war on the soil of Europe were replaced with confidence, unity and peace.

For the first time in history, a shared, common European sovereignty of European citizens was created. Citizens living in Europe without borders. Europe where the European single market and economic and monetary union enable free flow of goods, persons, services and capital.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, Macedonia, Europe and the world are facing major new challenges.

The global economic and financial crisis and the European debt crisis have revealed the structural weaknesses of the European Union.

Vertical integration, which builds and enhances European institutions, should be complemented by horizontal integration which transcends narrow national egoisms and establishes the European society.

We are witnessing the disturbing events and occurrences on the European soil in some EU member-states.

On May 9, we celebrate the victory over fascism and Nazism. But these pernicious ideologies still live in the closed and blurry minds of individuals who sow xenophobia, intolerance and hatred towards the different.

On May 9, we celebrate Europe Day. But some still abuse the veto to prevent Macedonia's European future.

We celebrate holidays to remember the lessons of the past.

The lesson of the WW II is that in times of crisis we should be proactive, not passive, open, not closed. In times of crisis, we should look for solutions, not excuses. It is in times of crisis that we should principled defend the common values, the freedom, the democracy, the human rights and the human dignity. Whenever fundamental values are compromised, the foundation upon which freedom and democracy is built is undermined.

The unlearned lessons of the 20th century worry us.

Beacuse of the veto and blockade, of the double standards and violation of the international law, the Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian citizens feel the effects of the unlearned lessons.

"To build Europe is to build peace," said Jean Monnet. But peace is not merely absence of war. Peace is respect and acceptance of others, of different.

We are convinced in the capability of the European leadership to make Europe expanded, stronger and more successful. But it needs new, creative efforts, proportionate to the challenges we face. Creative efforts firmly grounded on the principles of peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

Esteemed Excellencies,

If in the past the Macedonians fought against the evils of fascism and Nazism, today, the Republic of Macedonia fights for the gains stemming from the victory over fascism and Nazism. Today, the Republic of Macedonia is fighting for respect of international law as basis of international order. A right or a gain for the winners of the WW II.

With the disrespect of the Badinter Commission recommendation, we were disappointed, with the 1992 Lisbon Summit, we were hurt, with the disrespect of the decision of the International Court of Justice we were offended, the European Union is, however, the safest, the most democratic and humane part of the world. The European Union is the only place in the world where there is peace and tranquility, progress and prosperity. Therefore, the EU remains our strategic goal.

As a European country, Macedonia acts in a European manner. We expect the European Union to act in a European manner towards Macedonia, too, to endure on its core principles: peace, democracy, rule of law, human rights, the right to self-identification and human dignity. Principles in which we see the cause and the meaning of our EU integration.

The Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonians are a benefit for the Union only if we enter as equal in the mosaic of diversity of the European Union, with its own identity and dignity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today is May 9, Europe Day. Only 9 days ago, the European Union celebrated 10 years of its great enlargement with 10 new member states. Enlargement which was a major step towards overcoming the artificial division of Europe.

However, the European Union is not yet complete, because Europe is not united yet.

Next year, in 2015, it will be 10 years since the Republic of Macedonia received the candidate status. Years of reforms, work and strong confidence in the European future of Macedonia.

Macedonian citizens expect by the time of marking the 10th anniversary of its candidate status, the Republic of Macedonia to have started negotiations for EU membership. Building Europe in Macedonia, we want Macedonia to be in Europe.

Europe has a future only as a democratic community. As democracy needs democrats, Europe needs Europeans, European citizens. We, the Macedonian citizens are waiting for our European citizenship.

We are here to contribute with our full potential towards Europe for which our ancestors fought - free, united and democratic Europe.

Thank you.