The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, as patron, addressed the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia and the 2011 Europe Day:

Distinguished Members of the European Movement
and Participants at this Ceremony,
Respected Professor Gjurovska,
Excellencies, Dear Friends,

With great pleasure I accepted to be the patron of this Ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the European Movement in Macedonia. The pleasure is even greater because it is one of the first important non-governmental organizations in Macedonia, established in the year of its independence.

As one of the first such movements in the region of Southeast Europe, the European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia was immediately admitted to the International European Movement in Brussels. It was Macedonia’s concrete investment in Europe and also a European commitment to support the realization of the European dream of generations of Macedonian citizens.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The beginnings of the European Movement of the Republic of Macedonia are related with the will of the citizens of Macedonia for an independent, sovereign, European and Euro-Atlantic Macedonia, a determination which was clearly expressed at the referendum held on September 8, 1991. The beginnings, however, of the International European Movement are closely related with the historic Congress of Europe in The Hague in 1948. A Congress when more than 700 prominent Europeans, among whom were Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Raymond Aron, Konrad Adenauer, De Gasperi, Salvador de Madariaga, de Rougemont, and many others, committed themselves decisively to unite Europe.

In this joint visionary venture, the builders of the United Europe laid the foundations of this largest All-European Civic Association, which from the outset participated, encouraged and directed all the steps in the European integration: the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community and the Treaties of Rome, through the Treaties of Amsterdam and Maastricht, to the Lisbon Treaty which shaped the European Union as a common European home. The road was neither easy nor painless. On the contrary, there were obstacles, temptations and challenges, but I believe that what is achieved corresponds with the vision of the founding fathers of the single, unified, democratic and prosperous Europe.

Respected attendees,

I believe you will agree with my conclusion that today's ceremony is the best proof that the Republic of Macedonia since the early days of its independence has been determined to join the European Union and to the Euro-Atlantic integration.

For long, the Republic of Macedonia has been taking necessary steps and implementing reforms to harmonize its internal social, economic, cultural and political components with those of the European Union, to harmonize its internal and external policy, as well as its security policy with the Union’s policy. As a result of our commitment, we are already in the most mature accession stage, as a candidate-country waiting to start accession negotiations with the Union.

I would like you to know that I have clearly told all the European colleagues with whom I have met in the past period that the Republic of Macedonia expects the same vision and leadership as the ones of the builders of the united Europe. The Republic of Macedonia expects to be given immediately a date to start negotiations. I believe that this is a win-win situation. Macedonia will be strongly motivated and focused; the region will receive a strong encouraging signal, while the European Union will enjoy credibility in terms of its most successful policy – the enlargement.

Esteemed Excellencies,

Bilateral issues must not hamper the vision of the founders. Only a united Europe, which is at the same time a prerequisite for a strong Europe, can be competitive globally, in every aspect. The European Union simply has an obligation to take care of Europe. There are positive examples of parallel movement in the integration and in resolving bilateral issues. I shall reiterate that I expect leadership and vision from the European partners and friends.

It makes me particularly glad that, throughout this period, the European Movement in Macedonia, as a non-governmental, Euro-oriented, organization, has provided enormous and undeniable contribution in spreading European values and benefits among the citizens, particularly among young people, students, in the public and in the media, so that the European spirit and consciousness are to be strengthened and promoted in this country. I believe that it is not a coincidence that, for this contribution, in 2003, the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation awarded the European Movement with the award for best NGO in the Republic of Macedonia. I would like to acknowledge that we highly appreciate the efforts of the European Movement in Macedonia at the international level, specifically aimed at promoting cooperation and joint actions and campaigns with the movements in the region and in the Balkan countries.

Dear friends,

At the very end, I would like to congratulate you wholeheartedly the jubilee, to wish you success and positive results. At the same time I wish you become soon the European Movement in the Republic of Macedonia as a full-fledged member of the European Union.

Thank you.