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North Macedonia celebrates 35 years of independence
North Macedonia is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its independence following the historic September 8, 1991, referendum, where over 95 percent of voters supported sovereignty. The milestone is marked by various official ceremonies, including flower-laying services at the graves of former leaders Kiro Gligorov, Boris Trajkovski, and Nikola Klusev.
Political leaders have issued diverse messages. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called for national unity and the defense of state interests, though opposition party SDSM criticized his rhetoric, accusing him of using divisive language. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova emphasized that democracy is measured by the functionality of institutions and the protection of human rights.
International recognition continues, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulating the nation and affirming the United States' commitment to North Macedonia as a trusted ally in regional security. Meanwhile, Macedonian communities in Albania expressed solidarity, highlighting their role in the struggle for statehood.
Entities
Bulgaria · Christian Mickoski · David Guetta · Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova · Gordana Siljanovska-Devska · Hristijan Mickoski · Kiro Gligorov · Manneken Pis · Marco Rubio · NATO · North Macedonia · SDSM
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] North Macedonia was the only former Yugoslav republic to achieve independence through a peaceful process. viki.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 1,079,308 citizens voted in favor of independence. skopskoeho.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 95.09 percent of voters supported independence in the 1991 referendum.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The country's constitution was adopted on November 17, 1991.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bulgaria was the first country to recognize the independence of the Republic of Macedonia on January 15, 1992.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Declaration of Sovereignty was adopted by the first multi-party Macedonian parliament on January 25, 1991. skopskoeho.mk