The mission of the saints Cyril and Methodius is one of the earliest examples of uniting Slavic people with others in Europe and of connecting various cultures by respecting diversity, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Thursday.

Speaking at a launch of the print edition of “Proclamation” by Constantine the Philosopher – St. Cyril and the exhibit “In the Footsteps of Saints Cyril and Methodius”, he said that their mission has been far-reaching as it is still uniting the Slavic people with other people in Europe.

“For over 1,150 years, this value has been teaching us and inspiring us to this day. Respecting the body of work of the saints Cyril and Methodius alongside other Slavic people and also those who owe it to their mission and legacy and who have been celebrating their civil mission with dignity and honor is a factor of unity of key importance for our present and our future,” Zaev told the event.

The launch of “Proclamation” and the exhibit, according to the PM, coincides with two anniversaries, namely the 30^th anniversary of the country’s declaration of independence and the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Blazhe Koneski, the founder of the modern Macedonian language.

“This launch of the book unites North Macedonia and Slovakia as officials of the Czech Republic and other brotherly states are also in attendance,” Zaev said.

Published in Slovakia for the first time to mark 1,150 years of the mission of the Slavic apostles, “Proclamation” has been re-issued in Old Church Slavonic, Macedonian and Slovak language. The work is published by the Slovak National Library in cooperation with the Association of Writers of Slovakia and funded by the North Macedonia government.

“Proclamation” was launched ahead of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Day (May 24) alongside the “In the Footsteps of Saints Cyril and Methodius” exhibit, which features photos and paintings depicting their lives and mission.

They were displayed three years ago in several cities, including in Skopje’s National Library, recalled Slovak Ambassador Henrik Markus.

Also, Stojan Lekoski, a Macedonian who has been living and working in Slovakia for years, was praised at the event.

It brought together many state and church officials, including Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov, Culture Minister Irena Stefoska, Macedonian Orthodox Church Head, Archbishop Stefan, Skopje Bishop Kiro Stojanov as well as representatives of the Czech Republic’s embassy and guests from Slovakia.