President Stevo Pendarovski addressed today the plenary session of the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit, which is being held in Tirana, Republic of Albania.
In his address, President Pendarovski noted that the recent decision of the EU Council to provide aid of 50 billion EUR, as well as the prospects that the US Congress will allocate around 90 billion USD, are activities in the right direction. He pointed out that North Macedonia was among the first countries that provided military, technical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and pointed out that so far we have delivered 12 aid packages, with a total value of 60 million EUR.
President Pendarovski emphasized that together with our NATO allies and like-minded people, we will continue to oppose the attack on Ukraine’s independence, demanding responsibility for all committed crimes in order to ensure justice for the victims and their families. “today from Tirana, we must pledge our unwavering support until a peace accord reflective of the aspirations of the Ukrainian people is accomplished”, President Pendarovski said.
President Pendarovski’s integral speech is below.
Esteemed President Zelenskyy,
Esteemed Prime Minister Rama,
Your Excellences,
Dear Colleagues,
As we convene here today with a shared understanding of the critical importance of fostering support for Ukraine, the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our nations are more important than ever.
For a decade now, the heroic Ukrainian people have been demonstrating tremendous sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering faith in the triumph of good over evil.
We have to understand that, in fact, Ukraine’s struggle for freedom is waged on behalf of the entire democratic and civilized world. In this critical juncture, the stakes for all of us are immense, they go beyond geographical boundaries and resonate wherever peaceful democratic societies exist.
Dear colleagues,
The success of the Ukrainian armed forces depends not only on their determination and bravery to confront the aggressor, but also on the much needed financial, logistical and military support provided by friendly nations.
The recent decision by the EU Council to provide €50 billion in aid, coupled with prospects of the US Congress unlocking approximately $90 billion, represent the appropriate course of action.
North Macedonia was among the first nations to extend military, technical, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Up to now, we have delivered 12 packages of assistance, with a total value of 60 million euros.
Together with our NATO allies and like-minded peoples, we will continue to oppose the attack on Ukraine’s independence, pushing for accountability for all perpetrated crimes in order to ensure justice for the victims and their families. Moreover, we stand ready to support Ukraine in freely charting its future course, including its desire for integration into the European Union and NATO.
Against the backdrop of concerns about the outcome of the elections in the US and the EU, and possible ramifications over events in Ukraine, it should be clear that no decision contrary to the will of the Ukrainian people will lay the foundation for peace. Such actions would only serve to legitimize the aggression and the atrocious acts perpetrated in previous years. The annexation of Crimea a decade ago should serve as a stark reminder: appeasement failed to stop the conflict; instead, it emboldened Russia to replicate its aggressive designs in eastern Ukraine.
Having said that, today from Tirana, we must pledge our unwavering support until a peace accord reflective of the aspirations of the Ukrainian people is accomplished.
Thank you for your attention.
