Respected citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

At the outset, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, I would like to express deepest condolences to the families of the deceased police officers. Zarko Kuzmanovski, Nenad Serafimovski, Saso Samojlovski, Boban Ivanovik, Goran Ilijevski, Isamedin Osmani, Goran Stojimenovik and Ljubisa Arangelovik gave their lives to the Republic of Macedonia.

May their memory be eternal!

The meeting of the Security Council of the Republic of Macedonia that has just ended, besides the Security Council members, was attended by representatives of the political parties SDSM, DUI and DPA, expressed strongest condemnation for the violation of order and security by individuals and groups whose aim is destabilization of Macedonia.

The public will be additionally informed about the conclusions of the Security Council meeting. All competent institutions in the field of security were given precise directions for taking adequate actions within their legal competences.

The intention for coordinated terrorist attacks on various locations in the country aimed at causing serious destabilization, chaos and fear is prevented. The action taken by the police also aimed to prevent civilian casualties. Because of this, there are human and material losses.

In the past period, I had regular and emergency security consultations regarding the intent of this group, and it was found that this group has no ideological and political support in the Republic of Macedonia and in the region. We were aware that the group consisted of extremely criminal individuals with exceptional military experience and skills. At no time and in no way did we underestimate them, neither the possibility nor the intention and the capacity of the group to commit terrorist attacks. Therefore, their neutralization required an action with such a scope. Unfortunately we have paid the highest price with human lives.

About this group, earlier in 2015, we have informed in writing 17 partner services in the EU and NATO member states, as well as in the countries in the region. I can conclude that the exchange of information for the purpose of preventing the intentions of the group did not yield results.

Respected citizens,

The Republic of Macedonia these two days experiences exactly what I warned of several months ago, in my address to the Security Council at the United Nations.

The perpetrators and all those involved in this terrorist act will pay dearly for what they tried to do to the Republic of Macedonia and to its citizens.

I want to acknowledge clearly the following – we will not allow escalation of tensions. We are doing whatever is necessary to avoid destabilization of the state and disruption of interethnic relations.

In this, we need the help from you, the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. We need patience, restraint and wisdom.
In this, we need the support of the leaders of the political parties – they need to act responsibly and be at the height of the expectations of the citizens.

In this, we need the support of the media – they need to be at the expected level of professionalism and responsibility.

Finally, in this, we will need the support of the international community. For years, I have been warning that the status quo in the Euro-Atlantic integrations results in frustrations in the political and inter-ethnic life and makes us vulnerable and susceptible to attempts of destabilization.

I ask the international community, the European Union and NATO, with the greatest seriousness, to engage and find a way to unblock the Euro-Atlantic integration for the sake of the Republic of Macedonia and the entire region.

In this regard, I urge the overall Macedonian society, and particularly the political leaders, to accede to political dialogue, to overcome all weaknesses continually noted by the European Commission.

The political dialogue is long gone in the country. It is high time the leaders of the political parties begin discussions and seek solutions to the political crisis.

I sincerely regret that such moments came so that we sit together and talk. That is what the citizens expect from us.

The narrow-party interests must be overcome. We must be united over the highest objectives - stable, prosperous, European and Euro-Atlantic Macedonia. May personal and inter-party confrontations stop for this sake! We have witnessed their effect.

There is no excuse for anyone who does not act in compliance with these objectives.

Commendable is today's presence of the leaders and representatives of the parties at the Security Council meeting, when essential issues for every country and its security were being discussed.

There has to be responsibility for the situation in the Republic of Macedonia, for everything that has been done, for anything that has not been done but should have been done.

I call upon the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia to reason and patience, not to succumb to provocations. I assure you that everyone will be held liable.

The Republic of Macedonia has been a factor of stability and cooperation in the region and a role model of inter-ethnic coexistence.

It must not be violated.

We have to move forward, not backward, because the Republic of Macedonia is the only joint homeland we have.

Thank you.