Macedonia moves forward, the road is marked, long and difficult and full of challenges, but we will succeed as fighters of Ilinden Uprising and National Liberation War had succeeded. The struggle for Macedonia never stops. We will continue to fight for the right of our name, identity and dignified life. It is necessary to remain firmly committed and united. Euro-Atlantic integration remains our strategic goal, PM Nikola Gruevski said in his address on the occasion of national holiday Ilinden in front of monument of Metodija Andonov Cento in Skopje.

In the past years we have made efforts with concrete actions and projects with a lot of work and energy for all citizens. We have worked a lot and succeeded to move things in positive direction. We have succeeded to realise projects, which are beneficial to the people despite world and economic crisis and price shocks, Gruevski said.

He also underlined that Macedonia is among top reformers in the world and has external debt among lowest in Europe and growth among higher in Europe in this turbulent times. The Denar is stable currency, bank savings are increased, financial system is stable and foreign exchange reserves are highest and provide protection from additional shocks.

We have reduced the taxes, increased wages and pensions and helped companies on a regular basis. We have reduced the unemployment in the past six years by almost 8% and we have created conditions for employment of at least 10.000 people through direct foreign investments and another 10.000 people through home measures for increasing employment. We have reformed civil pillars of society, education, judiciary and health and we are continuing with the reforms, he said.

He also referred to infrastructure projects and support to agriculture as an important segment for the population where subsidies are being given and 40.000 hectares of land was allocated to Macedonian farmers.

The realisation of European and Euro-Atlantic integration remains at the top of our priorities. The Republic of Macedonia is strategically positioned to become part of NATO and EU. Obstacles on the road to integration are not insurmountable, but they must be in the spirit of justice, law, equality and freedom, result of wise decisions and realisation of sustainable solution and certainly approved by the people, Gruevski said.

We must remain firmly committed and united. We know that it is not always easy. Sometimes what we strive for and make efforts for will not be fulfilled in our lives, but we must not give up or hesitate because of this. What we desire for our close friends and family to realise it for Macedonia, PM Nikola Gruevski said.