Hristijan Mickoski was re-elected as leader of VMRO-DPMNE at the party congress that was held in Kavadarci on Saturday evening.
Mickoski was running unopposed, and 804 out of 817 delegates with right to vote at the congress endorsed him for another mandate as party leader. At the congress, Mickoski presented a new document of the party, a Strategy for Development titled “Macedonia 2030”.
“Our vision of a modern Macedonia is based on clear principles: a state that safeguards its identity; a state that defends its sovereign position; a state that builds its European perspective on the basis of partnerships, reforms and dignified representation. Macedonia is a country built on European values, freedom, democratic tradition and the rule of law, so it is naturally related to the Euro-Atlantic family.
But European and Euro-Atlantic integration cannot be reduced to passive acceptance or unconditional dependence. Macedonia can be European only if it is stable in its self-awareness and confident in its own identity. This is why VMRO-DPMNE has drawn the following strategic line: National identity is not subject to negotiations; respect for other identities is a value, but not at the expense of one’s own; language, history and culture are the fundamental pillars of the state; compromises in international politics can be technical, but cannot be substantial; and the state’s dignity is not rhetoric, but practical politics”, Mickoski stated in his address at the congress.
Amidst the congress, representatives of sister-parties of VMRO-DPMNE from different countries in Europe extended greetings to the party for its achievements over the past two years. Hungarian PM and Fidesz leader Viktor Orban congratulated the party on winning the latest presidential and local elections, adding that VMRO-DPMNE is one of the most successful political parties in Europe.
German CDU’s Gunther Krichbaum said that VMRO-DPMNE is a party very close to the citizens and knows well their everyday troubles and needs. Croatian PM and HDZ leader Andrej Plenkovic reaffirmed the support for “my friend Mickoski”, while EPP Vice-President Antonio Taianni reaffirmed EPP’s support for North Macedonia’s integration in the EU.