At a ceremony organized by SDSM under the slogan “Macedonia is all we have,” marking the 35th anniversary of independence, party leader Venko Filipče said that, for former President Kiro Gligorov, Europe had represented a national objective since the declaration of independence.
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Filipče recalled that Gligorov had envisioned Macedonia as an integral part of the European family from the early years following independence.
He emphasized that the Western European orientation had been clearly articulated in Gligorov’s positions and public statements as early as the beginning of the 1990s, and that he later reaffirmed it as a political testament.
“Even when Yugoslavia still formally existed and Gligorov was already retired, in the early 1990s, he had clearly formulated the European vision in his opinions and public appearances. He later passed it on as a kind of political testament. For him, Europe was Macedonia’s natural political, economic, geographical and civilizational environment. At the same time, he warned that membership requires effort, knowledge, education and transformation,” Filipče said.
The SDSM leader stressed that this is the measured approach that should be taken toward the country’s European future, avoiding illusions while not compromising national interests and dignity.
“It is precisely with this level of maturity that we must approach the issue of Europe today. Without myths. Without feelings of inferiority. Without bowing to anyone. But, at the same time, without self-deception,” Filipče stated.
In this context, Filipče also mentioned the policy of equidistance toward neighboring countries advocated by Gligorov, emphasizing that its essence lies in cultivating equally good relations with all neighbors.
