Respected citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia,
Respected members of the Parliament,
Respected members of the Government,
Respected representatives of the judiciary of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished diplomatic corps representatives, representatives of the religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia,
Media representatives,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Today I am here among you, with a new legitimacy, entrusted by the citizens for continuity. Continuity for the shared vision and strategic objectives of the Republic of Macedonia. I am here to share with you my views on the year we leave behind, on the expectations for the year ahead, but also for the period up to the end of this decade.

Respected attendees,

This is my second speech this year before the Assembly which is not in its full composition. I sincerely regret the repeated absence today of the deputies who have chosen not to represent the citizens who voted them. By having left their seats in this temple of democracy empty, they have left the citizens who elected them unrepresented. Empty seats in the Assembly do not represent the will of the citizens.

23 years ago, when the political parties for the first time participated in a democratic competition, and when the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia for the first time voted in free and democratic elections, democracy was accepted as a process and an order, as a political system of this country. Democracy has thus become a fundamental consensus in our multiethnic, multi-religious and multilingual society.

Voting in elections is a constitutional right of the citizens, but their representation in the Parliament is a constitutional obligation of the elected representatives.

I would like to remind that, as President, 7 months ago I invited the political leaders, including Mr. Zaev and Mr. Ahmeti, to discuss state's interests. They have not responded to the invitation yet, which is still open. To refuse to discuss state's interests for me is an expression of absolute irresponsible political behavior.

Therefore, I want to urge those who are not present here today that political dialogue is not an expression of weakness, but an expression of political maturity.

Often we hear that political culture is not built overnight. But we have a short time to achieve what developed democracies have been building for decades and centuries. Democracy is here and now. Greater political responsibility and mature political culture is needed.
Even the most difficult problems are overcome through dialogue. If we bring back the dialogue, we will find a solution. A decision is necessary, because this situation is reflected in our society and in our European and Euro-Atlantic path.

Respected citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

Inter-ethnic relations in Macedonia are still facing challenges that come from political manipulation which distorts the real picture of coexistence.

The essence of our societal and state concept is to live with each other, not against each other or by each other. But for that as well we need, in the spirit of our Macedonian model of coexistence, more dialogue, more respect and greater acceptance of diversity.

The key word for 2015 in the Assembly and in the inter-ethnic relations should be dialogue.

We are all aware that the things are not so simple.

The absence of political dialogue in the Assembly and the frustrations in the inter-ethnic relations, inter alia, are a reflection of the denial of our name, identity and language, of the developments in the region, in the European Union and in the world.

Respected attendees,

The future of the Republic of Macedonia is in NATO and the European Union.

Regrettably, since 2005, when we became a candidate country for EU membership, the European Council has failed to find a modality to start negotiations.

Let us not waste a lot of words. We see how much damage has been done and we know what the consequences of the blockade of our membership in NATO and the European Union are. The blockades cause frustration in the Macedonian society, instability in political life and tension in inter-ethnic relations. But blockades result in something else, too. The European idea to motivate and change loses its power thereof. Namely, its transforming power for our society weakens.

We see and feel the consequences. Precisely these consequences of the blockades are cited now as a reason for the inability to start the negotiations for EU membership. It is not difficult to come to a conclusion.

We are now being actually blocked because of the consequences of the imposed blockade.

The double standards we are faced with cannot overrule the truth. We have gone through many ordeals. We were denied, erased and ignored. We were assimilated, divided and dispersed. Nonetheless, we have endured. 70 years ago, on ASNOM, we managed to establish our own country, today, we are confident that we will become a member of the European Union and NATO. Because we build Macedonia in us, by us, for us, so that we and the future generations can live in peace and prosperity.

Official Athens may slow down, but not stop, our bonding with Europe. We cannot prevent Macedonian citizens to travel across Europe, Macedonian companies to trade with Europe, Macedonian teachers to teach in Europe, and Macedonian students to study in Europe, Macedonian artists to create and present themselves in Europe, Macedonian athletes to be successful in Europe.

Official Athens may even slow down our path to Brussels, but cannot prevent us to possess of the European values, standards and criteria. They are exactly the goal of our European road - to bring Europe in Macedonia. Our commitment is to implement reforms, to achieve standards and principles, to ensure human rights respect and the right to human dignity, for the sake of the citizens of Macedonia.

In terms of our foreign policy, we will still be guided by the principle of openness to all. Openness which is not declarative, but concrete. Since the very first day of my second term, I continued with the same intensity. In only seven months, I paid visits to 10 foreign countries and had more than 40 meetings and talks with some of the most influential statesmen in the world on essential issues related to Macedonia.

That is what I want to see from the Macedonian diplomacy, too. To be maximally active and open, to nurture old and create new friendships. To be committed not only to the political, but also to the economic, public and cultural diplomacy. If I, as President, the Prime Minister and the ministers can, than the Macedonian diplomacy must be more active.

We are building good relations with all the well-meaning countries in the world and the best possible relations with all our neighbors.

Respected fellow-citizens,

It is normal in the relations with the neighbors, with whom we have most dynamic relations, certain differences on some issues to occur. But it does not prevent us to have maximum cooperation on all other issues.

I support and welcome all initiatives and joint sessions of the governments in our region. My frequent meetings with current and former presidents of the region have the same purpose. I do hope that with the future president of our southern neighbor we will make up for what is lost in the past two decades.

It is high time together to see what we have missed and what we have lost for good and everything that we can achieve if we overcome this barrier in our relations. What would be the benefits for the citizens of both countries, for the Macedonian and for the Greek people, but also for the wider region as a whole?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A century ago, a single bullet fired in Sarajevo started the World War I.
Just a quarter of a century ago, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Cold War ended. A period of new hope that peace will finally conquer the world followed.

But it turned out that the painful lessons of the past have not been learned and that mistakes are repeated. 2014 was declared the Year of World Peace, although there is no peace in the world.

Our region emerged out of the painful past, a period of confidence-building started, but the slowed momentum of integration created a new reality and a new infringement of the interests in the Balkans.

In such a situation, we in the region must fully cooperate in all common interest areas. At all regional meetings, I insist that the time has come when the declarative messages in the regional setting must be sent in history. A new stage with new requirements for specific projects in the regional cooperation is needed.

The first steps have already been made. Our need is understood by France and Germany, translated into the summits in Brdo, Dubrovnik and Berlin. These new forms of specific regional cooperation should be an example for all the old regional mechanisms which are still too declarative. We will use our presidency with the Central European Initiative next year for specific projects with concrete benefits for the citizens in our region.

Therefore the Republic of Macedonia is leading the policy of openness to all who want to cooperate with us. We belong to Europe and the world, where we have our friends, in America, and in Asia, in Africa and Australia. As part of the international community, we follow not only the interests of the Union, but also our national interests.

This is real politics at a time of profound transformation of the world order. We live in hyper-connected world, with new challenges and new risks, natural, economic and political.

The world today, both in economy and in politics, is faced with uncertainty, insecurity and unpredictability.

Natural disasters worldwide are a loud alarm that climate change is the new reality that will change our lives and the lives of the future generations.

Economic globalization changes the importance of national-political boundaries. Instead of energy security, there is greater energy uncertainty.

This new condition more and more resembles the periods we thought we have left behind us. Ethno-cultural and religious identities are awaken. There is escalation of intolerance, fanaticism and extremism in the world. Every day we witness atrocities caused by narrow-minded individuals.
We are doing everything in our capacity to ensure and guarantee peace, security and stability of the Republic of Macedonia.

But we should be aware that both the stability and the progress of Macedonia depend not only on Macedonia, but also on the environment and the global challenges.

Although our southern neighbor is trying to isolate us from the membership in the European Union and NATO, we are not isolated from the challenges and risks faced by all Member States. New foreign terrorist fighters are recruited and radicalized daily, fighting on the battlefields in the crisis regions, which are not far from us. Unfortunately, among them, according to intelligence, there are around 100 citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Global threats are threats concerning us as well. Everything that happens in the crisis hotspots is reflected on Europe.

Therefore, I raised this issue at the Security Council of the United Nations and referred to the security vacuum created by a member of NATO and the European Union in our case, and to the slow pace of integration of the entire region. I said that the illegal blockade of our rightful membership in NATO is seriously blocking peace, security and stability in the Balkans. By blocking us, official Athens is blocking the collective interests and fundamental principles of the two organizations we want to join. One of those fundamental principles is respect for international treaties and international law. Therefore, we continue to insist on effectuation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice.

Distinguished citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

Global threats, crisis regions and the threat of foreign terrorist fighters have become threats to the national security in Macedonia.

Therefore, the Security Council of the Republic of Macedonia under my leadership found that the subjects of the national security system successfully fulfill the duties within their scope of powers; there is coordination and cooperation in view of strengthening national security capacities.

The subjects of the national security system are improving the activities for security, timely warning of potential threats and risks to national security, for improvement and development of the early warning system, prevention of and countermeasures for potential and identified threats and risks.

The exchange of data and information on the threat of foreign terrorist fighters among the countries of the Western Balkans and with the EU Member States and NATO is a priority in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The capacities of our Army are subject to future projected modernization, organizational and formation structure.

Macedonia remains partner in ensuring peace and stability by participating in international military missions ISAF, Althea and the United Nations.
Although the participation in Afghanistan in the mission "Resolute Support" is reduced in number, Macedonia remains among the first states that participate with the largest number of troops per capita. The Army of the Republic of Macedonia is a proven partner of the other NATO countries.

Dear fellow-citizens,

Highest national interest is achieving economic growth and development. By creating a favorable business climate, we compensate for the missed opportunities of the 90s and thus mitigate the consequences of the global economic crisis.

My agenda for 2015 and for the following years is adjusted to the needs of the Macedonian economy, Macedonian businessmen and the efforts of the Government to attract foreign investment in Macedonia.

The Macedonian economy is opening to the world markets. We are building a new, dynamic and export-oriented industry. Instead of being a country that exports raw materials only, Macedonia is becoming a country that exports products and services competitive on the European and the world market.

Dear citizens,

The Republic of Macedonia has its own reform agenda in which important decisions are made for macro-economic stability, micro-economic efficiency, health care, education, administration, judiciary, media...

When we say that we are striving to Europe, we think of the European values, standards and criteria, of the European culture, European science, European education...

Therefore we need the European standards to be valued among the best. We cannot be partners in the great European family if we do not implement the reforms according to the established values.

The key to all this is education.

Dear citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

Education is being transformed worldwide. If the state created the educational profiles suitable for its needs in the past, today, increasingly the market and the business assume the role of the state and create profiles according to their needs. This changes the concept of higher education around the world, and in our country, too.

It is not possible to project the future of Macedonia without successful transformation of education, because the future of the country depends on the quality of higher education, as it depends on the quality of the previous educational levels.

It is clear that reforms are necessary. Macedonian universities are not high on the ranking lists. With some exceptions, Macedonian students do not receive a competitive education for global competition. The success stories in education are often the result of personal initiative, personal ambitions and commitment of the students and their professors.

As President, and as a university professor, I hold regular meetings with students. Last year I had separate meetings with the best students from all public universities in the Republic of Macedonia, where we openly discussed about all the problems and issues faced by students. Common conclusion of those meetings was that local standards create local value, while global standards create global value.

Macedonia needs high-standard students and professors to be recognized and competitive in the global market of knowledge. It is the only way our students and professors can become partners, not just consumers, of the outcomes of the global scientific and research achievements.

To achieve this, we need profound reforms in education at all levels. And we all agree on one point - and that is the need for high-quality education. Together we can find the best path to that goal.

I will single out the project for full scholarships to students who enroll in the top 100 universities in the world that is worthy of respect. Macedonia is one of the few countries in the world awarding such scholarship. With this, we invest for the next generations to have better conditions than previous generations.

This scholarship process remains to be successfully accomplished and implemented in full, as is planned, for the students, when they return to Macedonia, to be immediately employed.

I follow with great attention the general professional and public debate on the new comprehensive legal solutions for all levels of education. It is necessary to listen to all stakeholders, universities and students, teachers and pupils, parents, the business sector, the proposing authority... to find the best solution together and through dialogue.

Studying is an expression of freedom and responsibility. University autonomy is constitutionally guaranteed and must be respected.

Science in the past was considered an expense. Unfortunately, this mental attitude still exists today. Too little is invested in science and scientific research.

As the budget for education was increased, the budget for science also needs to increase. Since science is financed by us, we determine the priorities, because we best know what is most needed. Wherever there was investment in education and science, sooner or later, the results were positive.

Therefore, I urge the budget and the support for science to be increased because the state's economic success is based on knowledge, science and education. By investing in science and research, we reduce unemployment and increase competitiveness of the Macedonian economy.

Dear fellow-citizens,

We are in the middle of this decade. I want to share with the citizens my vision of Macedonia in 2020.

The European Union announced that there will be no enlargement until 2019. We are aware that we cannot change this standpoint of the Union.

But, as we are supposed to humbly accept the things that do not depend on us, so we should have the courage and wisdom to change the things that do depend on us.

It depends on us what we will be committed to in the next five years.

Whether we will be defiant and boycott the democratic institutions or we will restore the dialogue in the institutions and thus come to solutions. The Macedonian citizens deserve democracy with mature political culture.

Are we are going to wait for negotiations for EU membership and then start fulfilling the criteria, or we will make all efforts to fulfill the criteria for EU membership even before we start negotiating? To have the highest standards in the public administration, in the judiciary, in the media. Are we going to lose these five years or we will get ready to immediately, after that period, become a member of the Union?

Respected fellow-citizens,

There is no dilemma for us.

It depends exclusively on us how we will build Macedonia as an inclusive society and how we will strengthen the social cohesion.

It depends on us how we will promote and advance the Macedonian model of coexistence which, with the Ohrid Framework Agreement, is incorporated in the Constitution. Let's continue to be an example of respect and acceptance of diversity between Macedonians and Albanians, Serbs and Vlachs, Turks, Roma and Bosniaks, between Christians, Muslims, Jews and atheists. It is necessary, besides multiethnic coalitions, to promote multiethnic economy, joint ventures, which would be beneficial to all.

Our responsibility is to continue to develop Macedonia as a country with a more favorable business climate and more competitive knowledge-based economy and sustainable development. To continue to create conditions for more people to be employed. Conditions in which every farmer and merchant, every entrepreneur and innovator with entrepreneurial spirit will create and export products and services to the global market.

Let's continue to build the society based on sublime values and goals.
It depends on us whether our children will live in a clean and healthy environment. It is our shared responsibility to secure Macedonia in energy and infrastructure, for the future generations to have a dignified life.

It depends on us whether our universities will be competitive, whether our students will have a quality education, whether our researchers will achieve high scientific achievements, valued at home and abroad. What more can we do by 2020 but be a country that invests in high human capital and be part of the wider European and global market of education and science.

It depends on us whether by the end of this decade Macedonia will be more successful country which offers better living conditions.

If we are unaware of all this, we will lose the time. Many things can be restored but time cannot. There is no greater loss than the time spent in vain. We cannot afford it.

I am convinced that we can achieve all this. For that, we must believe in ourselves, be committed to the work, be accountable to us and to the future generations, be open to dialogue and respect each other.

Long live the Republic of Macedonia!