Today Macedonia is on its feet, joined together in the pain, dignified in sadness, united in respect. We pay our last respects to you, our president. Our loss is enormous, enormous is our tragedy.

Ten days ago, full of life, full of enthusiasm and belief in the European future of Macedonia, you had sent me away to Ireland.

Trajkovski: Honoured for leading Macedonia forward

The fates have decided and today I am sending you away to the part of the history of our people and our state that will not be forgotten.

In the past four years, the circumstances, but also this damned profession called politics, made us both friends and opponents who co-operated and criticised each other.

Misunderstood

But what I know for sure is that in all key moments, when we had to make the most difficult decisions for the future of our state, we were always united, on the same side, often understanding each other better than our own party colleagues.

You often used to sail against the wind - misunderstood, accused, without enough support.

In 2001 you were the most deserved for preventing a catastrophe.

You stood with your head high, dignified in the face of criticism.

You fought hatred with tales of love, forgiveness, mutual understanding... in an honest and simple manner, from the bottom of your heart and without calculation

You stood accused of being a traitor, although you did the most patriotic act.

You stood accused of being fearful, and you did the most courageous deed. It was you more than anybody else who stopped the war and brought back peace. At the time of madness, you brought reason.

You fought hatred with tales of love, forgiveness, mutual understanding.

And you did all that in your recognisable style: in an honest and simple manner, from the bottom of your heart and without calculation.

On one occasion you had told me: "In 10 years' time everyone will understand that I was right."

My dear Boris, 10 years were not needed. Macedonia has already today acknowledged that.

United in grief

It is more tragic for us than you that your death has united us more than did your efforts as president. It is tragic for us, and a tribute to you that today we understand that you were respected more in the world, than in your own state.

Your greatness was not in leading your people on the road which was against their desires. Your greatness was that you were a people's man and a man with the people

Today we know that you looked further, you thought more deeply and you believed more strongly. Our pain is too big, it is even bigger for your family.

Somebody said once: "Shared happiness is bigger happiness. Shared pain is lesser pain."

Today, all of us, the entire Macedonia and all our friends around the world, share the sorrow and the pain of your wife Vilma, your daughter Sara and your son Stefan. Until today your children had a father. From today on, the fatherly care becomes the responsibility of all of us.

Macedonia's future

Upon hearing the tragic news many asked what will happen to Macedonia after your death.

Those people neither knew Macedonia well, nor did they know you well.

Your greatness was not in leading your people on the road which was against their desires. Your greatness was that you were a people's man and a man with the people.

Macedonia knows its path, Macedonia knows where its future lies.

Esteemed president, it was my honour to have known you and to have worked with you.

There are great men besides whom the others feel insignificant.

There are even greater men besides whom the rest feel great. Boris, you were one of them.