Gordana Siljanovska‑Davkova: The kind of state we build is the kind of state we'll have

The ASNOM pledge — "the kind of state we create is the kind of state we'll have" — was the opening message delivered by President Gordana Siljanovska‑Davkova at a panel titled "8 September through the prism of its direct participants and witnesses."

Siljanovska‑Davkova argued that founding a country goes beyond holding democratic elections and constituting institutions: it requires building functional institutions, defending and protecting human rights, and respecting the highest standards of both domestic and international law.

She recalled the role of steady, pragmatic leaders during the 1990s and named figures such as Gligorov, Stojan Andov, Nikola Kljusev, Petar Goshev and Abdurahman Aliti. In her words: "In my view, the moderate and wise leaders in the 1990s were Gligorov, Stojan Andov, Nikola Kljusev, Petar Goshev, Abdurahman Aliti… who managed, with their knowledge and wisdom, but also a statesmanlike approach in a moderate way, to step out of that whirlpool of war — and that is very important. According to one scholar, you can sketch a constitution in six days, you can outline a liberal economy in six months, but it takes sixty years to build a functional democracy."

Panel of former lawmakers and ministers

The discussion gathered former MPs, ministers and other public figures who took part in or witnessed the events around the 8 September independence period.

Former MP Lambe Arnaudov highlighted the high political awareness of members of the early parliaments. He said: "I am proud of these heroes of independence who are here with us today, as well as of all, unfortunately deceased and alive who are not among us, and I thank them for what they did for Macedonia." Arnaudov also noted that, facing the real danger of disintegration at that difficult time, lawmakers adopted a Declaration of Independence for the Republic of Macedonia on the first and second days.

Former MP Naser Ziberi reflected on the delicate relation between rights and loyalty, calling it key to a country's stability and prosperity. He warned that a lack of both elements created crisis moments that sometimes endangered major decisions, including the referendum on independence and the participation of Albanians in that referendum. "The breakup of the SFRY was on the horizon and we were among the first to choose that path. However, we, as representatives of that people, wanted to have a clear picture of the legal and constitutional framework we would find ourselves in, so that we could actively participate in building that state," Ziberi said.

Former justice minister Tuše Goshev congratulated citizens on the holiday and emphasized that the state was born from the strong desire of a generation to have an independent country in which all citizens are equal. Former MP, minister and former governor of the National Bank Petar Goshev remarked that public holidays have different levels of importance and meaning.

Photo: press material from the event