Distinguished members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It gives me great honor and pleasure to greet you exactly on this day, August 18, the Day of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. As Supreme Commander,      I am proud of the Macedonian Army, which has exceeded all expectations in terms of its capability and commitment.
Today, we remember with pride August 18, 1943, the day when the battalion Mirche Acev was formed, which, later on, founded the Macedonian ASNOM state. The army that liberated our country and together with the allied forces fought for freedom in the world.
Celebrating the Army Day, we remember all known and unknown heroes who, through their deeds, left a legacy for us all. We remember the living witnesses and participants in the fight for free Macedonia, but also those who continue to live in our memories. I believe that this Army, this bastion of courage and patriotism, is pride for all of them.
Ladies and Gentlemen. The Army of the Republic of Macedonia is one of the foundations of Macedonia’s independence and sovereignty. Born in the dawn of Macedonian democracy, now eighteen years old, the Army of the Republic of Macedonia is guardian of the hard-won independence. The Army has been protecting our freedom and our children’s freedom. Thus, the Army fulfills its mission responsibly – it is a sovereign protector of our territorial integrity, democracy and freedom of our citizens.
I am particularly proud that the Army, as one of the pillars of Macedonian integrity and independence, is a tissue binding all the communities living in the Republic of Macedonia, regardless of the ethnicity or religious affiliation.
Macedonian Army is a symbol of military solidarity and loyalty to the common homeland of Macedonia. It is a proud guardian of the Macedonian tradition of coexistence and one of the greatest promoters of this model in the country and in the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen. Although today we celebrate the 18th anniversary of its establishment, the Army acquired and confirmed its maturity long ago.
Being faced with great challenges and implementing arduous and thorough reforms, the Army of the Republic of Macedonia is today one of the leaders of the reform process. You are an example of how a modern professional army should look like. And even more than that. The Macedonian Army, with its achievements, is a true example of the modernization of the contemporary Macedonian society.
You have fulfilled the criteria for NATO membership. You have achieved exceptional professionalism and high performance standards. That is why the Army of the Republic of Macedonia is one of the driving forces on the Macedonian path to the Euro-Atlantic integration. It is exactly you that carry the heaviest burden on this common path. A path that, I am confident, will be crowned with full membership in NATO. In this regard, we are grateful for your efforts.
Ladies and Gentlemen. The Army of the Republic of Macedonia is de facto an integral part of NATO. This can be seen best through our participation in international peacekeeping missions, missions in which our Macedonian peacekeeping troops, shoulder to shoulder with your allies, defend the common values – peace, freedom and democracy. To achieve this great mission, we share the responsibility with your allies. Along with them, we invest in the future of this global alliance.
A testimony for this are the members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia from the last rotation within the ISAF mission. I would like to convey my special greetings to our peacekeepers and to congratulate them on the successfully accomplished mission!
An evidence for this is our participation in military exercises, in which the members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia are regularly among the most dedicated and most diligent participants.
Also speak for this the prominent recognitions and decorations awarded to Macedonian soldiers, recognitions awarded by numerous world-known political and military leaders. I would like to assure you that the complements and praise addressed to you at the same time are complements for Macedonia. Be confident that we consider your success as Macedonia’s success.
Ladies and Gentlemen. The Army of the Republic of Macedonia has implemented the reforms and met the criteria for NATO. Notwithstanding, it must remain committed and continue on that path. It is a battle that is fought again and again, every time being better and more successful. The members of the Army in the forthcoming period must remain dedicated to the advancement of their skills. They will have to maintain the moral and pursue modernization and harmonization of the combat procedures to the new security risks.
The Macedonian Army has met the criteria for membership in the alliance. However, we shall not stop here. Proudly we go forward, in continuous realization of the great mission – professional, technically modern army defending the Macedonian freedom, an army actively contributing to the protection and development of free and democratic societies.
Without continuous investments, the acquired reform condition may easily be lost. To succeed in this endeavor, to proceed with the reforms, we need financial means. This is the only way that the Army can consistently respond to all its tasks, both in the Republic of Macedonia and abroad, along with our allies.
Therefore, in the period to come, it is necessary to increase the funds allocated for the Army.
Respected Ladies and Gentlemen. I am convinced that this Army – flag-bearer shall successfully address all the tasks and challenges that stand before us. I am also confident that we will remain proud of our Macedonian Army in future, too.
I take this opportunity to congratulate you the Day of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, August, 18th!
Long live the Army of the Republic of Macedonia!
Long live the Republic of Macedonia!