If the EU allows the Macedonian language issue to obstruct the country’s European integration than this is not an organization that deserves to be called European nor worthy of our trust, Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov told Sunday an event in Prilep on the occasion for National Uprising Day.

He stressed that maturity and respect are necessary to build friendship.

“Those who want to be our friends have to accept us for who we are and the language we speak, which is Macedonian. We can’t build friendship without basic respect. No country in the world has the right to violate our right of self-determination,” Dimitrov told the event.

He described the fight against fascism as the darkest page in history, but the most important one our predecessors had to fight.

“They have left us this country to look after it. Our first goal was to ensure its safety by joining NATO. Now we’re striving to bring to North Macedonia the European way of life, to ensure its prosperity, economic stability, justice for all, European education and healthcare system, and a clean environment. Congratulations on October 11, National Uprising Day,” Dimitrov said in Prilep.

On occasion of National Uprising Day, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, and Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska laid flowers at several memorials in Prilep, including those to Metodija Andonov-Chento, Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu, and the Woman Warrior.