Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

At the outset of the new 2015, I wish you and your families' health, joy and happiness, and your countries much successes and progress in every aspect.

It is my honor to welcome you in Krusevo, the highest city in the Balkans. This city is the cradle of the first democratic republic in the Balkans resulting from the centuries-old Macedonian struggle for freedom. It is the freedom we build our present and project our future on. But, at the same time, it is the freedom to be an equal member of the international community.

The ideologist of the Macedonian liberation struggle, Goce Delcev had in mind precisely these fruits of freedom when he said that he understands the world as a field for cultural competition among nations.

His covenant bore the principle of openness to all in the Macedonian foreign policy and our commitment to regional cooperation and good neighborly relations with all our neighbors.

Esteemed Excellencies,

As last year marked a century of the beginning of the WWI, this year marks 70 years since the end of WW II. These wars sow discord and hostility among the Balkan nations and caused deep and bloody wounds in almost every family in this area.

In each of these Wars Europe entered disunited and got out destroyed. This fatal cycle was ended by several great Europeans who offered a vision of a Europe united in peace, freedom and progress. Their vision managed to gradually bridge the physical and mental trenches, to turn out the centuries-old enmities, and to heal the deep wounds. Today, most of Europe shares the benefits of the realized vision. Yet, Europe is not whole.

2015 marks 10 years since the candidate country status of the Republic of Macedonia for membership in the European Union, years filled with reforms implemented, work and firm conviction in our European future, but also with unprincipled blockade on our path.

It turned out that the blockade causes frustration in the Macedonian society, instability in the political life and tension in the inter-ethnic relations. We are blocked because of the consequences of the imposed blockade.

Therefore, I would like to send a clear message to our European partners that the Macedonian citizens expect the European Council to find a way for Macedonia to start accession negotiations. Building Europe in Macedonia, we want to see Macedonia in Europe.

Our aim is not to be a burden but to contribute to the success of the European and Euro-Atlantic family in which we see our future. Therefore, we continue to foster friendly relations with your countries, to develop a more favorable business climate and a more competitive economy based on knowledge and sustainable development. We continue to build a new, dynamic and export-oriented industry with products and services competitive on the European and world market.

Distinguished Guests,

Right here in Krusevo the Manifesto was written whose ideas and values have outlived the transient Krushevo Republic. It is a manifesto of inter-ethnic and inter-religious coexistence through respect and acceptance of diversity. At the heart of this tradition, which is practiced even today in Macedonia, is the conviction that we should treat others as we want others to treat us. It is exactly these values that are threatened in the crisis regions not far from us.

In this time of uncertainty, Europe and the world need to remain consistent with the principles of international law. Law that guarantees the democratic values and the limits of freedom outlined in the freedom of other people and their human dignity.

As we begin the second year of membership in the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, we will continue to defend human rights and freedoms and the right to human dignity worldwide. We will continue to offer the solution - dialogue, which implies respect and acceptance of diversity. We firmly believe that with this we will succeed in securing peace for the current and a safer future for the future generations.

I hereby mentioned the covenant of Delcev which says that the cultural competition is run by language and creativity, works and books. It is in vain that some predicted that the digital age will mean end of the book, because the book survived, not only materially – on paper, but also digitally - in pixels. Recently, the Republic of Macedonia began to digitize its books.

Therefore, as President of the Republic of Macedonia, I gladly accepted to be the patron of the project "Makedonika", which aims to continue the Macedonian tradition and to share with the world through the Internet the most valuable of Macedonia.

Dear Friends,

As we begin a new year with hope and expectation, I want to thank all of you for the professionalism and dedication in your mission - promoting understanding and deepening of the cooperation of the countries you represent with the Republic of Macedonia.

Once again, I wish prosperity and progress to your countries and peoples, and to you personally, much happiness, health and successes.

Thank you.