Dear citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished representatives of the legislative, executive and judiciary authorities of the Republic of Macedonia,
Distinguished representatives of the political parties and civil society,
Distinguished representatives of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia,
Representatives of the media,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,

As President of the Republic of Macedonia, it is an honor for me to congratulate you on this great day that we are celebrating as an even greater jubilee – 25 years of independence of the Republic of Macedonia.

This great jubilee is an opportunity for introspection, revaluation and self-observation. This is a time for re-reading the pages written in our past and our present, but also, to pay attention to the empty, unwritten pages of our future.

By going through these pages, we will see that Macedonian past is filled with clashes between justice and power; freedom and slavery. The story started by our enlighteners and teachers was later continued in the Ilinden period. It was further developed during the ASNOM time, and finalized by the founders of independent and sovereign Republic of Macedonia. They completed their work and left us with the sacred task of continuing our work for Macedonia.

During these 25 years, we have been put through many tests. Every new page is filled with both challenges and successes. With mistakes, but also wise decisions. And with steps taken either too late or too early, but also with steps taken at just the right time.

However, reading our history, we must not forget that it is just one chapter of the great book of world history.

25 years ago, there were five billion people in the world. Today, we are sharing the planet with over seven billion other people, along with their needs, desires and goals. Out of all the desires and goals, one is the strongest and most durable – namely, the strive for freedom and self-determination. The strive to stand on one's own ground. Out of around 7000 peoples in the world, only 193 succeeded in obtaining the privilege of establishing their own state and become part of the family of the United Nations. We are one of them. And that is the biggest success, the greatest triumph in Macedonian history.

However, that success happened when just a few in the region and Europe expected it. The end of the Cold War marked the beginning of the spring of identities. While Europe was integrating, our former common country disintegrated. They say that when the Berlin Wall fell down, it fell over Yugoslavia. And, in the last moment, we succeeded in getting out of the Federation that was falling apart like a house of cards, peacefully and without a single bullet fired.

This is how we became part of the order established after the Second World War. An order based on the victory over the evils of Fascism and Nazism. However, that order was already subject to changes.

We declared our sovereignty in a time of de-sovereignization, when many countries had already transferred part of their sovereignty to international organizations. We declared our independence in a world that was making us increasingly interconnected and interdependent. These 25 years coincided with some major global transformations and transitions. The transition from the 20th to the 21st century. From the second into the third millennium. From a bipolar to a unipolar world. But, today we have a multipolar world in which new world powers are facing old challenges, just as the old world powers are facing new global challenges. With the new major movement of peoples, with transnational terrorism and organized crime, climate changes and an increasingly visible inequitable growth, development and distribution of global resources.

At the same time, the world is living its new era of self-discovery. What used to be perceived as science fiction, is not realized as fantastic science. A planetary conscience began to develop thanks to new technologies. Now, everyone is able to communicate with everyone else. For the first time in history, we are able to see what is happening in the most distant parts of the world in real time.

We were part of major transformations and processes that created great expectations for all of us. Expectations that the new era of humanity would bring something more progressive, advanced and enlightening also to us here, in the Republic of Macedonia.

However, not all of our hopes came to life...

Fellow citizens,

In order to continue writing our chapter, it is necessary to remind ourselves of how we arrived this far. The best way to move forward is to go back to the very essence of freedom.

We have been free and independent for 25 years. We have institutions in charge of adopting and implementing laws. But, this is not enough. Laws in themselves are not enough to safeguard freedom. As a society, we can be truly free only if we preserve the freedom in our hearts - in the heart of Macedonia. And today, that heart is filled with bitterness. A bitterness because of all the broken vows.

Fellow citizens,

Last year, on the day of Ilinden, I spoke about the Macedonian manifestoes in the heroic town of Krushevo. Those manifestoes were a call for a covenant among us. A a covenant to trust and respect each other, and to build the country together. A covenant to write the Macedonian chapter in the book of world history together. Every covenant is a guarantee for those who made it. And every covenant implies mutual responsibility.

The first Ilinden had its covenant. Ilinden fighters were pledging before a revolver and a knife, promising to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of Macedonia.

The example of Ilinden fighters was followed by the fighters during the National Liberation and Anti-Fascist fight who succeeded in their fight for a second Ilinden, a second covenant taken at the first ASNOM Assembly. It was the covenant that laid the foundations of the first free and democratic Macedonian state. However, that covenant was broken by those whose perception of Macedonia was created for the needs and interests of others.

On September 8, 1991, we had our third Ilinden. As citizens, we voted for the constitution of the Republic of Macedonia as a sovereign, independent, civil and democratic country. A state that would establish and build rule of law; guarantee human rights, freedoms and equality. A state that would provide peace and coexistence for its citizens regardless of their ethnic, religious and linguistic affiliation. A state that would provide social justice, economic welfare and progress in personal and common life. On September 8, 1991, 25 years ago, we, the citizens, took the third Macedonian covenant.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Reading the chapters of the past, we will notice that the first pages have been written in a rush, with an almost ineligible handwriting and with many errors and mistakes. Those pages were written in a dramatic period, when the sound of weapons was clearly heard in the Balkans. This was in a period when the time between the lightning and the thunder was becoming shorter, and the security storm was looming on the horizon.

Many were surprised by our decision for independence. Some believed that we would become and remain a footnote in someone else's history. They believed that the chapter on Macedonia would finally be over and closed for good. However we, the Macedonian citizens, decided to write our new chapter in history ourselves. We decided to have the main role in our Macedonian story.

By declaring our independence, we disturbed many plans. Thus, we became an exception from many rules.

We had to fight for international recognition, establishment of diplomatic relations, participation in international organizations.

Since the beginning of our independence, we constantly see someone trying to strike through or erase our name. And by erasing the name Macedonia, it appears that someone is constantly trying to contest all aspects of our identity. Both ethnic, linguistic, cultural but also political and civil identity.

While other states were conquering new markets, we were defending our fundamental and inalienable human rights and freedoms, our right to self-identification and human dignity. The right to be who we are.

While others progressed in terms of integrations, we had to prove the obvious truth about our Macedonian name, our Macedonian language and our Macedonian identity. To prove our existence.

Since our first day of independence, we have been facing numerous paradoxes.
We were labeled a threat to security, although we were the only Republic to peacefully come out of the former common state.
We were blamed of stealing history, although others were stealing our artifacts.
Although we had met all requirements for international recognition and integration, we were denied and unrecognized for a long time.

However, we never quit and we were never discouraged. The idea of freedom had a transformational power over our society. NATO offered security and safety, while the European Union offered success and well-being. Therefore, we agreed upon our highest strategic aims – membership in NATO and the European Union. This is why we advocated liberalization of economy, pluralism in politics and Europeization of society. We were decisive when it came to the realization of our strategic aims.

It was a major transformation with great expectations. Our aim was to achieve the highest European values, principles and criteria in the area of democracy, rule of law, human rights and market economy. By making significant steps in all areas, the Republic of Macedonia became a positive example and the frontrunner of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the region.

However, we faced challenges in this area as well. The closer we were to the target, the further that target was taken away from us. Although we had met all the requirements to become a NATO member and open negotiations with the European Union, we were blocked and left on our own. The same strategic aims that used to unite us at the beginning, started frustrating us after the blockades.

It was not long before the blocked processes and lost years provoked deep political crises. Those crises turned us into hostages of bitterness, anger and intolerance for political opponents. Crises that divided us. We transferred the dialogue from state institutions into the embassies of foreign countries. We lost the feeling of public decency in the public space. Crises that provoked the stagnation of many processes and in which we broke the vow that we gave each other when we proclaimed our independence. A covenant to build this state together. Thus, the consequences of the blockades became reasons for new blockades.

Fellow citizens,

I remember vividly our previous jubilee - 20 years of independence. Then, united and together, we rejoiced in our independence.

But, unlike five years ago, this jubilee as caught us divided, in mistrust and hatred. This year in which the political crisis culminated was an opportunity for a social crisis and purification of our society from all irresponsibility, intolerance and hatred that we have accumulated in the past quarter of a century. This jubilee was supposed to be a turning point and a new beginning. However, instead of all that, we continued to fall even deeper in the mud of revanchism and mutual accusations. Society, economy, media, culture, art, sports...they all became hostages of the political crisis in which everyone has eyes for the mistakes of the opponent, but turns a blind eye to its own mistakes.

Fellow citizens,

After many delays and uncertainties, on December 11 we will finally have the long awaited early parliamentary elections. At these elections, the most important issue will not be who will obtain the most votes and who will govern until the next elections. This is for the citizens to say. What is more important is the pre-election and election process and how they will take place. Whether the will of the citizens will be respected, not only by the winner, but by the defeated party as well. But the most important is what will follow after the elections, after December 11.

Precious time was lost. These elections are a chance to finish this bitter page filled with uncertainty and to turn a new blank page.

The new Government will have a major task to do, in many areas.

In conditions of blocked European and Euro-Atlantic integrations, it is necessary for Macedonia to make a strategic shift to the inside. What does this mean? If the European Union does not have the willingness to open accession negotiations and open the chapters on Macedonia, then it is up to us to open the 34 chapters, and it is up to us to fulfill the criteria for membership in the Union. It is necessary to strengthen institutions, reform the judiciary, education, to develop our economy. In that way, we will eliminate, or at least minimize the consequences of the blockades. Therefore, what is necessary is a strategic introspection. To change ourselves for the better.

However, that strategic shift and introspection is much deeper and much more essential than it sounds.

We are about to enter a time for a new expression of agreement regarding the shared interests of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. An agreement between citizens and institutions; between citizens and their elected representatives.

After the elections, the new Government, but also all of us together, will have to work hard on relaxation, instead of severing the ties within the society. We have to restore the culture of dialogue and compromise in politics.
We need to build Macedonia as a country of successful people. We need to spare our society from political and party interference, and make it a society in which political battles will be led in institutions, and not in the streets.
A society in which the highest value will be loyalty to the state and its institutions, and not a political party. Loyalty to the fellow citizens, and not to the fellow members of a political party. A society in which we will stop seeing each other through the narrow and restraining prism of parties and ideologies, but as fellow citizens, neighbors, people.
A state with sound and mature political elite, in which the government will accept constructive proposals by the opposition, and in which the opposition will support the good policies of the government.
Media that will restore and preserve the dignity of journalism as a profession, as well as decency in the public space. Media that will act as the conscience of society.
Judiciary that will do justice in accordance with the established truth.
Schools and universities that will produce people ready to compete and win on the global market of ideas.
Entrepreneurs and businessmen who will be ready to lead an ethical business.
A society in which parents will provide a safe future for their children here, in Macedonia. A state that will create conditions to stop the process of moving out of young people.
A society in which the cross and the crescent, the church and the mosque will not be limits and fortresses to mark and defend some kind of imaginary territories. Because at the end of the day, we are all people, regardless of our faith.
A society in which, instead of muttering and gossiping, instead of offending and hurting, we will act according to the words of our great teacher St. Clement of Ohrid: let us compete in kindness.

However, in order to achieve this, we need to renew the vow.
How will we achieve all of this? If we observe three principles.
First. Rights that are inalienable from duties and responsibilities.
Second. Responsibility that is specific and personal, and not general and impersonal.
Third. Culture of respect and acceptance of others.

My call is not only addressed to institutions, political parties, government and opposition, civil society and media. My call is addressed to every individual. To every Macedonian, Albanian, Turk, Vlach, Serb, Roma and Bosniak. To every Christian, Muslim, Jew and atheist. To every professor and student, to every trader and farmer. To every worker and pensioner. To every parent and child. To every member of the security forces. To every author, artist and sports person. To every citizen of Macedonia. To every Macedonian expat in the world.

The future of the Republic of Macedonia depends on each and every one of us, on each and every one of you. It depends on whether you will add your obligations towards the Republic of Macedonia to the rights that you are enjoying. It depends on whether you will assume personal responsibility for every step and every life decision that you make. It depends on whether you will respect and accept your neighbor, with their ethnic, religious, social and ideological diversity, the way that the highest and timeless moral principles and values tell us to do.

Fellow citizens,

In last 25 years we have faced with almost all challenges that a country can witness. Denial and non recognition. Open issues and closed borders. Blockades and embargoes. Double standards and hypocrisy. Foreign propaganda and internal divisions. Violence and armed conflicts. Destruction of security systems and being part of other's games. Tragedies and natural hazards. Painful and traumatic transition that created a generation of missed opportunities and unfulfilled expectations.

But many of the pages of the past and present are also written with numerous successes in many fields.
We have built functional institutions and developed awareness of national interest.
We have our own army that guarantees the security of our children. We have our army and police forces which together protect Macedonia and Europe from the threat of illegal migration.
We have a favorable business environment for foreign investments. We are also building a new, dynamic and export-oriented industry.
From a country that exports only raw materials , Macedonia became a country that exports products and services which can be competitive in the European and world markets.
We have a well-known and recognized model of coexistence and respect and acceptance of diversity.
We have based our foreign policy on peaceful principles and we want the best possible relations with all of our neighbors.
We achieved visa liberalization which created a lot of opportunities for our citizens.
We know very well where we naturally belong and we have a clear goal for our future.
Among many victories we can also include the successes of our athletes who with pride waved the Macedonian flag and intonated our national anthem after every successful match and achieved medal.
We can see today that products "Made in Macedonia" are in the shelves of almost all continents.
We can also proudly say that works of our authors have been translated and are read in many languages.
We can see that our young scientists became part of the global academic community.
From the pages of the present it can also be read the solidarity, humanity and support that we give to our fellow citizens.

However, there are many blank pages, still unwritten, to be filled in by our children, our descendants. Those who were born in independent and sovereign Republic of Macedonia will celebrate the next 25 years. The next great jubilee belongs to them.

But, their part of the story depends largely on what we are doing today. The consequences of the decisions made by our generation will be felt by future generations. Therefore, we need to pay attention to the legacy we will leave to them, because with each step made further into divisions and hatred, we will take away part of the joy of our descendants.

We must not allow for the bitterness of our generation to be transferred to future generations. We must prepare them for the future. They will live in a world of even greater acceleration and dynamics. A world in which they will need to keep up with global processes and compete in global markets. In such circumstances, they will need a place to rely on, a piece of land to feel as their own, where they can fulfill themselves as persons at any time. And that piece on Earth is Macedonia.

Let us relieve them from the burden of dissatisfaction and unpleasantness brought about by our generations.

Let us allow them to dedicate themselves to higher and nobler things, useful for Macedonia and the region. To focus on building rather than destroying. To be communicative, innovative and creative.

To allow them to feel what kind of noble privilege and dignity it is to have our own state.

To allow them to be citizens of the world, without ceasing to be citizens of their own country – the Republic of Macedonia.

But in order to achieve this, we need to forgive each other, reconcile and unite regarding the state interests of the Republic of Macedonia. Until it becomes too late. Let us forgive each other, let us reconcile and unite in order to be able to leave to the future generations a state in which they will be free and on their own ground. A state that will celebrate many happy returns to many jubilees and many more birthdays of the independence of the Republic of Macedonia.

Happy Birthday to our homeland!
Long live the Republic of Macedonia!