At a ceremony marking 35 years of independence, SDSM leader Venko Filipche said that Europe had been a national goal for North Macedonia since the country’s independence and under its first president, Kiro Gligorov.
Filipche recalled that Gligorov viewed the country as naturally belonging to the European political, economic, geographic and civilizational sphere, while stressing that EU membership requires work, knowledge, reforms and learning. He also highlighted Gligorov’s policy of “equidistance” toward neighboring countries, which he said meant maintaining equally good relations with all neighbors, avoiding conflicts and dependence on foreign patrons.
Filipche argued that North Macedonia should discuss its European future realistically—without illusions, humiliation or abandoning national interests and dignity. He acknowledged that the EU perspective for the Western Balkans remains open, but noted that constitutional amendments are still required for North Macedonia to formally advance to the next stage of accession negotiations.