Dear citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia
Distinguished Members of Parliament,
Distinguished Ministers in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished representatives of the judiciary of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished representatives of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia,
Representatives of the media,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are about to leave behind us a year of great challenges, both in global and national terms.

We see global interests clashing and military strategists outwitting each other in conflict areas in the Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine. These areas have become a source of numerous threats and risks. And this not only for the world, but also for Macedonia.

Symbolically, this year began and finished with terrorist attacks in Paris. Paris, the city of light, was not chosen by chance. Today, when Europe is still divided with physical and mental barriers, the European culture of hospitability towards migrants is put to the test.

Global disorder is inevitably affecting us as well. In such a complex geopolitical and security situation, this year we have been facing serious crises and threats that undermined the trust of our citizens in the state institutions and global system.

The first one being the political crisis, the second a security threat, and the third - the migrant and refugee crisis.

As President of the Republic of Macedonia, but also as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, this year, I had an active year in exceptionally difficult conditions at the foreign policy level. Here, I refer to the internal, regional and global conditions. I focused on the realization of our strategic priorities – NATO membership and integration in the European Union. I was dedicated to strengthening cooperation and closing open issues with our neighbors. I continued the policy of openness to all in terms of foreign relations, especially in function of economic and cultural diplomacy.

And I will continue in the same direction.

I was fully committed to the issues in the area of security and defense. In everything I did, I safeguarded the interests and dignity of the country and its citizens. And this was indeed more than necessary, since the dignity of the country was put into question.

Fellow citizens,

In the past six years we have had three political crises, every one of them more serious and deeper than the previous. We have been persisting in conditions of political crisis for so long and so frequently, that some even noticed that crisis has become a part of our daily lives.

What is all of this due to?

Last year, at this very place, I said that the key word in 2015 should be dialogue. However, there was no dialogue. The political air became so polluted with suspicions and mutual accusations that it started suffocating Macedonian society.

Because of the lack of political responsibility we had the so-called Przino Agreement. We had an agreement among political leaders to whom the Constitution was not enough a base to meet, sit down and talk. Instead of within the state institutions, they went to meet in other places and in other formats. I will refrain from further comment and I will say only the following: the decision on Przino was theirs, and so it will be their responsibility. Those who have assumed the obligations, will have to deliver.

Distinguished participants,

As President, I was called upon by the public, the media and the citizens. There were writings and discussions saying I was absent and not active.

Citizens should know, however, that the resolution of every one of the political crises in the past six years happened upon my initiative. As President of the Republic of Macedonia, in 2011 and in 2012 I convened the leaders of the political parties in my Cabinet in order to find a solution.

For this last crisis I continuously stated that the doors of my Cabinet are open for leader meetings. However, some political leaders did not want to come to the President of the Republic. Unfortunately, I see they left their seats in the home of democracy empty today, and they bear part of the responsibility for the situation that our country finds itself in today.

Citizens should know that, in the interest of dialogue among leaders, I did not always publicly disclose my efforts to resolve the crisis. I wanted to leave them enough time and space in order to reach a solution themselves. My aim was not to boost my personal rating, but to find a solution to this crisis. As thus far, I have never been one to take the credits or ask for recognition for something that I consider to be my duty. And as President and Supreme Commander, it is my duty to safeguard the state interest. This because I firmly believe that instead of authority and power, the state should be above all. And the state is us, the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

The irresponsible behavior of political parties has had an unfavorable impact on the process of European integration as well.

The European Commission postponed for a long time the Progress Report, since there was a danger for us to postpone our future ourselves. And it could have been easily postponed by irresponsible behavior. This is still possible.

Instead of a progress report, we received a stagnation report. After seven years, instead of a date for membership, we received a conditional recommendation. Of course, the main reason why Macedonia is being blocked is the Greek veto. This cannot be opposed by anyone. But, since we know this is a fact, then why creating a new, internal problem in addition to the existing one? The imposed name issue is no longer the only obstacle to our integration – there is also the problem that we have with ourselves. Unfortunately, this time again, we left the resolution of this problem in the hands of others.

The European Union report is objective. One sentence even points to the root of most crises that we have been facing, namely: "the breakdown of political dialogue and difficulties in arriving at consensus on issues highlighted once again the divisive political culture in the country." Correct me if I am wrong, but a divisive political culture is just an elegant name for lack of political culture.

This should be a lesson on how political parties should not act. Citizens vested their trust because they expect progress, and not backsliding of already established values.

We may comfort ourselves by stating that stagnation is a consequence of blockades. And this would be true. I repeatedly urged the European Union to change its attitude towards Macedonia. I take every opportunity to point to the spiral of blockades to our interlocutors. That every blockade creates conditions for new blockades.

I do not wish to be misunderstood. I appreciate the role of international mediators included in the efforts to overcome this serious political crisis. But, at the same time, we ask of that same international community to eliminate the main reason behind the creation of these last political crises - and this is namely the status quo in the integration of the Republic of Macedonia.

Therefore, we need a new approach, a twofold one. We need to change our approach towards the Union, our European priorities and reform processes. In the past seven years, we have had similar remarks in the European Commission Progress Report. We should unconditionally focus on reforms and stop waiting for someone else to finish our work. When I say "we", I refer to the government and the opposition, to the judiciary, education and all other spheres. However, the Union and NATO should also change their approach towards us. They should not procrastinate and find excuses for new blockades. The degree of certainty and achievability of Macedonian European integration will decisively move our society towards achieving higher values. Towards a stronger and more substantial democratic development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

And as the lack of political dialogue led to a political crisis, the political crisis opened the door to security threats.
We are facing continuous global challenges in the form of direct threats against our national security. These threats come from different sources;
Violent extremism and radicalism;
Foreign terrorist fighters;
Regional extremist groups whose aim is to rewrite borders in order to realize their great nationalist ideas;
The so-called Islamic Caliphate;
Transnational organized crime;

At the same time, we see that the security environment has changed. Greece is no longer a firewall for Europe. The borders of the European Union and NATO have become porous. We are facing a new type of aggressor. An individual born and educated in Western democracies. Wearing civilian clothes. Produced in the incubators of regional conflicts and crises. Inspired and motivated for violent acts against humanity. Thirsty for ferocity, blood and publicity. His aim is to instill fear. This is what happened in Paris, but also previously in Beirut, Bamako, Mumbai...

The citizens of these cities are aware of such threats that are slowly transforming into our reality. Therefore, we need to be aware of the threats and adapt to the new reality.

Apart from this new aggressor, old-fashioned, ethnically motivated violent extremism has not yet been rooted out in our region.

Distinguished participants,

On May 9, peaceful living in Kumanovo was endangered by violent extremists and terrorists who came to destroy peace, co-existence, democracy and order in Macedonia. They wanted to undermine territorial integrity and destabilize the state.

For a long time, I have been warning about this danger. At the very beginning of this year, we asked 17 partner services from the EU, NATO and countries from the region for assistance. Unfortunately, the exchange of information in order to prevent the intentions of this group did not deliver.

We were left on our own.
But even alone, we managed to cope with this serious threat in a courageous and professional manner.

It is true that in the fight against threats, the most successful actions are preventive actions that citizens will not even learn they happened. However, the citizens should know that with the Kumanovo action, we prevented the realization of coordinated terrorist attacks in several cities in Macedonia. We prevented massacres and bloodshed of the sort that we recently witnessed in Paris.

Therefore, I wish to once again express my gratitude to the members of the police for their sacrifice. But I would also like to thank our fellow citizens from multiethnic Kumanovo, who opposed imported extremism. Because, in the same way that the police defended security, the citizens of Kumanovo defended the Macedonian model of coexistence and respect for diversity. Is there a bigger investment in building our homeland, the Republic of Macedonia?

Dear participants,

The trauma from Kumanovo is still fresh. The country lost eight brave members of the police. Families lost their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers... Back then I said that the perpetrators and everyone involved in this terrorist act will pay a high price for what they tried to do to the Republic of Macedonia and its citizens. Today, they have been brought to justice. The judiciary should now finish its work with dignity and professionalism.

The Kumanovo case is a classic example on how countries and services should not act in their efforts to achieve regional security. It appears that as a region, we cooperate in all areas, but least in the area of security. Due to insufficient information exchange, lack of cooperation and communication, but also absence of trust among states and services, the prevention system failed.

Kumanovo was a lesson to the region, but also to us.

In the peak of the political crisis and media cacophony, protests and counter-protests, Kumanovo was a reality check for political parties. Only a day after the Kumanovo events, I convoked the Security Council and I invited representatives of the opposition to participate in the session. With this, in the zenith of the security threat, the political crisis started to unravel.

And while political parties were still clashing, migrants and refugees started to transit Macedonia.

Let me remind you that before the conflict in Syria, we used to be upset by the number of 1000 to 2000 illegal migrants per year passing through our country. In the first few years of the Syrian conflict we were worried because of the tens of thousands refugees per year. And now, only two months ago, back in October, in the span of just a few hours, we had around 14000 of them. This year, over 700.000 refugees and migrants passed through the territory of Macedonia. They reminded everyone that Macedonia and the Balkans are the main corridor and gateway connecting Europe to the Middle East and Africa.

Our capacity to tackle this challenge as a country and society has been put to the test.

Since the beginning of the crisis, we have been relying on our own resources and minimal bilateral donations.

We are thankful for the foreign financial aid that was completely earmarked for the humanitarian aspect of the refugee crisis. On the other hand, all costs for the security aspect of the migrant and refugee crisis are well beyond the mark of 12 million Euros. And they are all to be covered by us alone. Unplanned expenditures arising from the migrant crisis must be taken into consideration in the drafting of future budgets. In spite of this, as a country we are doing our utmost to fulfill all our international obligations for humane treatment of migrants and refugees.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The migrant and refugee crisis is one of the biggest challenges that countries and humanity have faced in this past half a century.
Many ideals, principles and policies failed its test, including European policies and mechanisms. Yet, there are several silver linings in the clouds above Europe.

The European Union was caught unprepared in the case of migrants.

The first omission of the Union is the non-functional mechanism for distribution of refugees in Member States via the so-called quotas.
The second omission of the Union is that it allowed some of its Member States to not register refugees and migrants.
The third omission of the Union is that it allowed unilateral adoption of decisions by some Member States.

The Republic of Macedonia is suffering the consequences of these omissions by the Union. We are suffering the consequence of the incapacity of its crisis management to handle threats and risks.

In the same way as the security threat, the migrant and refugee crisis reminded us that we have been left on our own. That we should help ourselves, because otherwise, no one will do it.

Therefore, instead of being reactive, we decided to be proactive. Instead of withdrawing faced with the migrant wave, we decided to control and channel it.

We were the first non-EU Member State in Europe to declare a state of crisis faced with the threat of illegal migration coming from the territory of the European Union.

We activated our crisis management system.

As President and Supreme Commander, I have been following closely the security in our country. I visited our southern border several times. I met with the police, the Army, humanitarian organizations and migrants.

I made a decision to mobilize the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in support of the border police. Thanks to that, we prevented a great number of illegal crossings.

Within the scope of my international activities, I had numerous meetings with European leaders. In every occasion, I insisted for the Republic of Macedonia to be present at the discussions if the European Union was to adopt decisions on the migrant and refugee crisis. I urged our partners in the Union to allow us to become part of the solution, and not of the problem.

Macedonia's proactive response in handling the migrant crisis was noted in both the EU and NATO. Our commitments delivered visible results.

Upon invitation of the President of the European Commission, Mr. Juncker, I participated at the extraordinary European Summit dedicated to the migrant crisis. At the Summit, we managed to defend our state interests.

Distinguished participants,

There are circles in Europe who believe that, if refugee camps are far away from Europe, then Europe will not face a problem. Presently, refugee camps are located in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. There have been proposals that we should open refugee camps on our territory. Figures of 20 and even 30.000 people were mentioned. I categorically rejected these demands. I pointed out very clearly that Macedonia can only be considered a country of transit and as such, we will have a capacity to shelter only 2000 persons in our temporary transit centers. I have been defending this position at every meeting, because every increase of these figures would mean a multiplication of security risks for Macedonia. And this we shall never allow.

At the extraordinary meeting in Brussels, where for the first time we were at an equal stance in the discussions, I insisted on the deployment of FRONTEX and greater cooperation with our southern neighbor. I spoke about these demands with Greek Prime Minister Tsipras on two occasions. My commitments have delivered results. Recently, Greece addressed a formal request to FRONTEX on the deployment of its forces at the Greek - Macedonian border. Their task will be to perform verification and registration of migrants wishing to enter the Republic of Macedonia. Mr. Tsipras promised a more intensified cooperation and communication between Greek and Macedonian security services.

We sent requests to several European countries for deployment of police officers and equipment for joint handling of this migrant crisis, border protection and migrant control.

Last week, I met again with the President of the European Council, Mr. Tusk. At the meeting, I stated that by helping Macedonia, the Union is helping itself. And there is a reason why. Macedonia has a clear, coherent and coordinated policy as regards the migrant and refugee crisis. Also, President Tusk has a responsible approach to the migrant and refugee crisis, especially for its security aspect. I am glad that we have a friend who conveys our concern and our security – related requests to the leaders of the European Council. Thanks to all of this, the European Council is able to understand and respect our state interests. This is also featured in the conclusions from the European Council.

Dear participants,

The migrant crisis put all of the relevant institutions in the country to a true test.

In spite of remarks on the lack of functionality of institutions, after the declaration of the state of crisis, Macedonia proved itself to be a rare example for successful handling of the migrant crisis. Macedonian institutions, although left with almost no direct bilateral aid from European institutions, have been successful in handling the everyday migrant flow.

With everything we were doing, even in conditions of political crisis and security threat, we did not allow the undermining of the security of our citizens and integrity of our country. We did not and we will not allow Macedonia to be a collateral damage and our citizens to be the sufferers of the consequences from the failure of European institutions.

We learned a lesson from the political crisis. Because, when we do not decide alone, then others decide for us. We did not allow for the same mistake again when the migrant crisis escalated. We did not allow for decisions to be made about us, without us.

We are facing challenges with self-esteem and decisiveness. As a country, we surprised many who did not expect for a territorially small country such as Macedonia to be so resilient and strong in the face of threats. We gained the trust and respect of our allies who are beginning to see Macedonia as an increasingly important partner. A partner capable of handling the challenges brought about by the new world disorder. A partner they can count on.

Just imagine how good it would have felt if we had been resolving the political crisis with the same feeling of responsibility and statehood.

Fellow citizens,

All of this was necessary, especially after Paris, when a new reality came to light in Europe. Our continent has been attacked by violent extremists and radicals. The previously verbal threats against Europe have now become concrete and took many human lives.

The corridor originally opened by refugees is now being used not only by economic migrants, but also criminal networks and terrorists.

Macedonia is facing threats and risks for its national security which are a consequence of regional crises and conflicts.

Becoming aware of the external risks and danger, we declared a state of crisis. I convoked two urgent meetings of the Security Council. The first one after Kumanovo happened, and the second one after Paris. I can say that at both sessions, state interests were defended by all those present, regardless of their political affiliation. The Security Council is an example of how to build unity around state interest through constructive dialogue. This contributed to strengthening the sense of responsibility for the country. But it is only the beginning.

In order to respond to these threats, we are bound to change.

Our institutions should become used to working in a state of continued crisis. These threats and risks will not disappear overnight. The entities of the national security system will have to change in order to protect territorial integrity, the unitary character and sovereignty of the state and to secure the coexistence and property of the citizens.

Experience has shown that intelligence and special forces are the best weapon in today's security environment. This is our first line of defense against threats which are a consequence of regional crises and conflicts.

We must transform our intelligence capacities and build new ones in order to keep track of the nature of these threats.

However, national security is part of wider, international security, which is today considered as indivisible. The blockade of our NATO membership is inevitably having an impact on the efficiency of our defense and security system.

Facing new threats, as well as the refugee crisis, have imposed a need for an intensified communication and cooperation among services, same as an improved efficiency in performing tasks by institutions having legal competences in the area of defense and security.

New threats and security risks will redefine the mission and tasks of the Army as a vital pillar of defense of the Republic of Macedonia.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,

Security has no price.

Therefore, as President and Supreme Commander, I have been underlining the necessity to increase the budget of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, to revise legislation and implement necessary reforms. I emphasize the need of technical upgrade, human resources and justified financial need for the entities participating in prevention and handling of threats.

And there are many threats.

More than one thousand foreign terrorist fighters from all over the Balkans are currently in the battlefields in Syria and Iraq, but also in other crisis regions. Among them are Macedonian citizens. They left the Balkans as extremists, but some of them return as terrorists. Relevant institutions are taking all necessary measures to preserve security and are regularly briefing.

Still, handling the consequences is not enough. We must also tackle the root causes of radicalism and extremism.

Radicalism, extremism and terrorism should be fought against not only by armed forces and law enforcement, but also through media, civil society, culture, religious communities, schools and families themselves. And in this, we must never see the world as black and white. In Macedonia, we have had centuries old coexistence between Christians and Muslims. This did not make Christians any less Christian, nor Muslims any less Muslim. On the contrary, both have benefited from that experience. Therefore, let us help the Islamic Religious Community in its efforts to fight isolated extremist individuals and counter radicalization.

Distinguished participants,

It is high time to draw lessons from these crises and threats.

From the political crisis, we should learn that when political party and personal interest is above state interest, then we will all pay the price. That, when we do not decide alone, then others decide for us.

From the security threat, we should learn that when we are divided, it is easier for enemies to enter our ranks. And then, we are most often left on our own. And that we should help ourselves, because otherwise, no one will do it.

From the migrant and refugee crisis, we should learn about the damage that can be done by lack of cooperativeness, incompetence and voluntarism. We saw that there are inconsistencies in the system as a result of shortsightedness, lack of trust and absence of the sense of statehood. Let us learn that when we act as a sovereign country, then we are respected and praised.

There is also a lesson for the European Union and NATO here. It says that the price of indecisiveness is higher than the price of decisiveness. Had this region been integrated in time, today the Schengen borders would have been more protected, and the responsibility of the countries shared. Had we been part of the security system of the Union and NATO, and had we been granted access to the databases, then we would have been able to handle the crisis even more successfully.

This needs to change.

We have both strategic and national priorities – membership in the EU and NATO. But the main priority for 2016 is to have a functional state that maintains public order and peace, takes care of the defense and security and creates conditions for rule of law. Functional state is a guarantee for freedom, democracy and economic progress.

Therefore, we need to come out of these crises and threats as a country in which institutions do not create, but resolve citizens' problems.

A state in which private businesses grow and over-bureaucratization diminishes.

A state ruled by laws and not by the greed of individuals,

A state whereby laws are equally valid for all.

A state of justice and order that will regain the trust of citizens in the judiciary. A trust that every right acquired implies responsibility, and that each and every one who makes decisions must assume responsibility for their actions. And it is in the hands of the judiciary, observing the letter and spirit of the law, to establish the truth and exercise justice.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,

Through my offices for communication with the citizens, I receive hundreds of letters every year, in which they express their anger and dissatisfaction because of the irresponsible behavior of political leaders. Citizens are angry because we allowed for someone else to take more care of us than we do ourselves. They are angry because, instead of state institutions, we turn to foreign embassies.

Next year we will celebrate quarter of a century since our independence and sovereignty, and yet we allow others to shape our political and legal system.

It is high time to overcome this fatal syndrome of servitude. To stop acting as guests in our very home.

State interest must be a priority to each and every single one of us. Political parties, institutions, civil society and media.

Distinguished participants,

It is not by coincidence that I mentioned media.

We are witnessing a degradation of media space. Public decency and professionalism became an exception instead of a rule. Everyone bears responsibility for this situation.

This is why I wish to convey several messages:

Media are the conscience of society.

Therefore, distinguished representatives of the media, you should be the strongest auditor of the work of institutions as regards the citizens.

You must not allow the imposing of rules and standards, or to become the battlefield for political clashes and an instrument for realization of someone's interests. You must not be influenced by politicians or any other power-holder. You must fight for the best solutions that will enable the media to restore their dignity and reputation. The media must fight for their rightful role in society.

I have been a journalist myself. I know that a person can only call himself a journalist if he understands journalism as a defense of the truth. As a defense of state and public interest against the voluntarism and particular interests of any power-holder, political party, business, religion and so on...

This is especially important today, as we prepare for elections.

Fellow citizens,

Democracy, justice and freedom are not gained once and for all. In a world where millions are homeless and stateless, we are truly happy and privileged. But, rights imply obligations.

Next year will be a test on which we will have to show what we have learned in the past twenty-five years of independence and democracy.

Whether we have learned to act responsibly.
Whether we are able to put common in front of personal interests.
Whether we are able to put state before narrow political party interests.
Whether we are worthy of calling ourselves patriots.

2016 will probably offer no less challenges than 1991. Uncertainty and crisis reigned back then. There was hatred, persecutions, ethnic cleansings. There were rivers of refugees. Not from the Middle East or Africa, but from our region, in our former state.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,

In such a turbulent period, we, in Macedonia, succeeded in building a unity that overcame all political and ideological, ethnic and religious differences.

We had a referendum for independence at which citizens clearly voiced their wish to stand on their own ground.

In this very Assembly, your predecessors adopted the key documents of our statehood. The declaration of sovereignty and independence. The Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. The basic laws.

In this very Assembly, your predecessors adopted unanimously the Declaration on international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia as a sovereign and independent state.

In the years that followed, they unanimously adopted a decision and declaration for membership of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO and the European Union.

This historic decision was backed not only by political parties, but by the entire Macedonian society, regardless of ethnic, religious or any other affiliation.

I call upon you, after the elections, on the 25th anniversary of our independence, to achieve unity regarding the key strategic goals of the country.

After the elections, let us unanimously renew the pledge and dedication to European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Let us unanimously renew the declarations for membership in the European Union and NATO.

Certainly, the validity of these declarations does not depend solely on those who voted. The validity will depend on the elections themselves. Because, the elections will be the strongest declaration, the loudest referendum on where this country wishes to go. In this sense, it is not only important who will be elected in this Assembly or who will elect the Government, but the way in which this will be implemented. At elections, citizens do not only say who will rule, but also how to rule.
At these elections, we will not have the right to make a mistake. When I say we, I refer to the political parties, government and opposition, media, civil society and state institutions. Every step will be followed and every word weighed. We must act responsibly and with dignity. This, not because of the international community, Brussels or the European Union, but because of our citizens.

In spite of all the challenges we have been facing, still, we demonstrate positive results in the area of economy. This is due to the dedication of all entities contributing to the economic growth and development of the Republic of Macedonia. This successful model must be respected in the future. Regardless of the outcome of these and any other elections, it is critical for Macedonia to continue the policies in terms of attracting foreign direct investments, investing in free economic zones and creating new job posts, as well as creating a favorable business climate for both foreign and domestic investors.

Why is this important?

The citizens ask for three things: freedom, security and hope. Legal, economic, general security, as a guarantee for freedom and economic prosperity.
In order to provide all this, we need sovereignty, security and statehood, which can only be achieved through unity.

Unity not as an unearthly concept, but unity around state interests.

Fellow citizens,

More than a decade ago, when Macedonia found itself at a crossroads, in a famous text I wrote then, I said the following: "We see a ray of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. We want to believe that this is not the ray of a meteor or the light of a train. We have a feeling that all will be good. Yes, it will be good, but only if after everything that happened and is still happening, we understand that we must communicate, initiate and cooperate, especially with our neighbors. To understand that the wise and not the strong, fight for their state and national interests, whereas the wiser and the stronger defend and regulate their countries in a way that provides both self-respect and respect for others. "

Same as back then, I can see that ray of hope again.

This hope of mine is again, not an unearthly concept, but rather based on solid foundations.

It is based on the dialogue that finally began taking place where it was supposed to, and where I constantly urged it to be - in state institutions, in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.

It is also based on the growing feeling of statehood and state interest in the participants in the political process. On the cooperation between government and opposition regarding state issues within the Security Council.

I am given hope by the self-sacrifice of our heroes in Kumanovo and the dedication of our troops who protect the border and the freedom. But also by our fellow citizens from multiethnic Kumanovo, who decisively opposed extremism.

I am given hope by the Macedonian model of coexistence and respect of diversity, expressed in the Krushevo Manifesto, the declarations of ASNOM, but also in the Ohrid Framework Agreement integrated in the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia.

I am given hope by the unity of the citizens of Skopje and Tetovo against air pollution, regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliation.

I am given hope by young people who look for better education and future right here, in Macedonia.

I am given hope by the solidarity of our citizens in the areas stricken with natural disasters, but also by the raised awareness for the persons with special needs.

I am given hope by the Red Cross and all humane citizens who shared their food and water with hundreds of thousands of homeless migrants and refugees who passed through our home.

I am given hope by every successful student, scientist, sportsperson, artist, entrepreneur, by every new investment and job post.

This is the hope for Macedonia.

I am not saying it will be easy. On the contrary. We are about to face a tough year.

Global trends will not circumvent us and therefore we need to be ready to the maximum. We must closely follow developments in the Region and in Europe.

But in order to achieve this, we must act responsibly. Everyone, and in particular the holders of political and public functions, must act responsibly. Everyone should face their responsibility.

We are passing through three crises, which are at the same time three opportunities to come out stronger and more unite, instead of weaker and divided.
Therefore, now is not the time to accuse, but to unite.
It is not the time for political clashes, but for responsible behavior.
Let us build a culture of political dialogue through which we will build unity for state interests. All of us, Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, Serbs, Roma, Vlachs, Bosniaks, Christians, Muslims, Jews and atheists...

Only in this way will we be able to break the vicious circle of crises and stop repeating the same mistakes once and for all.

Fellow citizens,

Regardless of the challenges, we continue to hope and believe in Macedonia. And we can only hope for what we sincerely wish. Our hope is deeply connected to our wish for a fair society in which everyone will have equal freedoms, rights and progress. A society based on two values: peace, as care for the wellbeing and dignity of citizens, and truth, as a precondition to justice.

I believe that if we are responsible, united and ready, we will be able to face anything that the uncertain future might bring.

Thank you.