Respected Attendees,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Brothers and Sisters,

It is my honor to greet you in our common homeland, the Republic of Macedonia.

The Macedonian Diaspora has always given great people. One of them is the Macedonian revolutionary, journalist and publicist, Angel Dinev. In 1935, exactly 80 years ago, Dinev started issuing the weekly magazine "Makedonski Vesti", which played a very important role in spreading the ideas of free and independent Macedonia.

Among the numerous texts therein, one is entirely devoted to the role of the Macedonian Diaspora.

In this kind of Declaration for the Diaspora, Dinev said that the Diaspora should cultivate among its fellow countrymen the Macedonian self-awareness and the Macedonian national self-esteem, in the spirit of which it must support the love for the homeland ... The Diaspora should develop a sense of love and caring among its compatriots. To preserve the Macedonian customs, songs and sayings ... to glorify and value the high idealism and heroic deeds of the fathers and grandfathers ... And, with everything one does, to make friends of Macedonia.

Dear Friends,

Today we are here to express our thankfulness to five organizations that are fulfilling the covenant of Dinev.

The ensemble "Makedonka" is spreading the Macedonian folk dance in Canada and beyond. I very well remember the wonderful dances you played two years ago in the "St. Kliment Ohridski" church in Toronto during my visit to friendly Canada. With your dancing, you fully depicted the Macedonian spirit of defiance.

Among us here are the members of the Australian-Macedonian Theatre from Sydney, which has always managed to address important social issues and communicate important messages for Macedonia and for Australia with the authentic Macedonian plays.

The Ohrid Social Society from Melbourne remains consistent to the covenant of the great healer of the soul and the body - St. Naum Ohridski. With your investment in the healthcare, you always help your fellow countrymen from Macedonia.

With us are also the representatives of the Macedonian-French association, which for already a decade cherishes the work of the great Blaze Koneski and determines the Macedonian language as our only complete homeland.

The cultural and sports association "Prespa Birlik" from Sweden is a testimony to the multi-ethnicity of the Macedonian Diaspora, to the benefits of the Macedonian model of coexistence and respect for and acceptance of diversity.

You all are the vivid link between Macedonia and the world. You are our ambassadors in the field of culture, art, education, charity and sports.

All your successes are successes for Macedonia too. The more successful individuals there are, the more successful Macedonia is.

Therefore, as President of the Republic of Macedonia, on behalf of the Macedonian citizens and on my personal behalf, I would like to thank you for everything you have been doing for Macedonia. Macedonia remembers, recognizes and values.

Thus, with the Charter of the Republic of Macedonia we express our gratitude and invite you and the entire Diaspora to cooperate and be united, to be an example for this and for the future generations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have started with Dinev and I will finish with him. At one point in the Declaration for the Diaspora, he warns that with "torn forces, in a tense atmosphere, with mutual distrust ... we only harm each other ..."

This description, unfortunately, too much resembles the atmosphere in which the Republic of Macedonia is still in today.

The Macedonian Diaspora is also concerned about this situation, because everything done in the homeland is inevitably reflected in the Diaspora. We must not forget that the Republic of Macedonia is not only a state of the Macedonian people living in it, but also a homeland of its Diaspora living abroad.

I want you to know that, as we are accountable to the citizens, so we are accountable to the Diaspora, which, in the most difficult times for Macedonia, was there, and will always be there for us. I believe that you will use every opportunity to help in this challenging period. And that united we will continue to realize our common vision - to make Macedonia, with a teamwork, a better place for living.

Thank you.