Premier Nikola Gruevski and Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Mileska formaly promoted Friday the Arch 'Macedonia', which depicts parts of Macedonian history and tradition and is a symbol of the historic Macedonia's victory - establishing of independent, sovereign state.

Gruevski used the opportunity to respond to all opponents to Skopje 2014 project, saying that he considered it to be good, high-quality and useful.

"I have supported and continue to support the project, as I always do when believing in something - ideas, visions for the welfare of citizens," Gruevski said at the promotion.

The Skopje 2014, which also includes the Arch 'Macedonia', has been most disputed project thus far, he said.

"Is there a grater triumph for a nation, state than independence," said Gruevski, pointing out that the Arch has been imagined as a symbol for marking the 20th anniversary of Macedonia's independence.  

He extended gratitude to all opponents of the Skopje 2014 project, namely opposition parties, NGOs, some professors, students, columnists, prominent figures and media.

He also thanked to the project's supporters, thousands of Macedonia's citizens, his associates, artists and all participants in Skopje 2014.

It is important to remember that this project has not only enabled the survival of a large part of construction companies, but also of over 10,000 workers in a period of the most serious global crisis, Gruevski said.

After our departure, the works of art will remain to glow with all of their splendor enabling the future generations, unburdened by the manipulations of political parties, to present their opinion, the PM said.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Mileska said the Arch reaffirmed "our motto that we understand the world solely as a field for cultural competition among nations."

"I wish for the Arch 'Macedonia' to become a monumental book of Macedonia's accomplishments, the place where, as great Goethe said, the art will be a mediator of everything that may not be expressed with words," Kanceska-Milevska said.

The arch is designed by Valentina Stevanovska,  who also put her signature on the Alexander the Great monument  at the Macedonian square.

The arch is part of the Ministry's project of erecting 35 sculptures in Skopje's downtown. The three willows in river Vardar will be unveiled by February, thus wrapping up the entire project.