Pendarovski: It is time to heal the open wounds of our recent past


North Macedonia’s newly elected President Stevo Pendarovski, after officially taking oath of office on Sunday delivered inaugural address before lawmakers, government officials, religious leaders, army representatives, diplomatic corps and foreign guests, saying that he will be president of all citizens, not just to those who voted for him.

“I want to publicly say and commit myself that I will be the President of all citizens, those who voted for me, and those who voted for my rivals, as well as those who did not vote at all. The first thing that I will do is to extend hand for cooperation to the opposition,” Pendarovski said.

“I will be the President of all citizens. It is time to heal the open wounds of our recent past and to start reconciliation process of the civil society, as we do not have a spare homeland that we can call our home. On this path I want to fully dedicate myself to this task, taking into account my own political rating,” Pendarovski noted.

He said that he will fight against the division in society, protect the rights of the political minority, make maximum efforts for country to join EU and NATO and especially focus on inter-ethnic relations.

President Pendarovski also underlined that he will not tolerate nepotism, crime and corruption and will support the civil sector and the media.