Mickoski: My task is not dealing with the past but building a future for our children

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, speaking on 23 October on the occasion of Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle Day (VMRO), addressed his country's EU accession process, the protection of national identity and economic development. Mickoski said the government is focused on leaving future generations a stronger and fairer country rather than dwelling on past disagreements.

Mickoski said the country has long waited for EU membership and argued that negotiations should not be abandoned despite all difficulties. He said patience and rational politics are needed, and stressed that national identity and historical memory cannot be changed by external pressure.

On government work, Mickoski cited motorway projects, natural gas pipelines, education investments and funds transferred to municipalities. He said more than 90 million euros had been invested in education infrastructure and over half a billion euros set aside for more than 1,200 municipal projects. Stressing justice, integrity and equal opportunity in state administration, he concluded his speech with the words “Long live Macedonia.”