Decorations, medals and monuments usually depict certain events from the turbulent past and the long Macedonian history. They are one of the aspects of the arduous journey of our people on the way to complete prosperity. They are also symbols of acknowledgement of sacrifice and merit in time of war or peace, and of work that deserves general recognition. They are part of the attributes of the statehood that generations of Macedonians have aspired to. The graphic solutions of the decorations convey the historic, cultural, scientific and artistic traditions, symbols and landmarks, as well as the authentic natural and geographical features of the Republic of Macedonia.


In accordance with the Law of decorations and recognitions of the Republic of Macedonia, passed on 27th June 2002, the Republic of Macedonia has 5 decorations, 2 medals and 1 state recognition- The Chart of the Republic of Macedonia.


On the occasion of 8th September, Independence Day, The President of the Republic of Macedonia, His Excellency Mr. Branko Crvenkovski presented the first “Decorations of the Republic of Macedonia” to the first president of the Republic of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov, and posthumously to the former president of the Republic of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski.


The President of the Republic of Macedonia Branko Crvenkovski confers the "Decoration of the Republic of Macedonia" upon the Macedonian Orthodox Church on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its autonomy.


At the formal academy commemorating 86 years of higher education at the Faculty of Philosophy, and 60 years from the founding of the first Macedonian faculty, President Crvenkovski presented the Faculty of Philosophy with the " Decoration for Service to the Country". The decoration was awarded in acknowledgment and appreciation of many years of work and major contribution to the Republic of Macedonia in developing and promoting education and science, passing on knowledge and stimulating overall development and progress in society.


On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its foundation, President Crvenkovski conferred the Decoration for Service to the Country upon the International Seminar on Macedonian language, literature and culture at Ss.Cyril and Methodius University. President Crvenkovski also presented the Medal for Service to the Country to six members of foreign academies of science and arts for their outstanding contribution to affirmation and popularization of the contemporary Macedonian language, literature and culture in their countries. The Medal for Service to the Country was awarded to academics Rina Pavlovna Usikova of Russia, Vlogimjez Pjanka of Poland, Nulo Minisi of Italy, Ivan Dorovski of the Czech Republic, and Horst Lant of the USA, Finally, the medal was awarded posthumously to Frantisek Vazclav Maresh of the Czech Republic for affirmation of the Macedonian language during his many years of work in Austria.


President Crvenkovski has conferred the "Decoration for Service to the Country" upon the academic and writer, Petre M. Andreevski in acknowledgment of his many accomplishments in poetry, prose and drama. This decoration recognizes his major contribution to enrichment and affirmation of Macedonian literature.


President Crvenkovski presented Prof. Dr. Robert Badinter with the "8th September Decoration" in acknowledgment of his major contribution to Macedonia’s independence, to strengthening Macedonia’s international status and reputation, developing interethnic relations in the country and boosting friendly relations between Macedonia and France.


President Crvenkovski awarded the "Decoration of the Republic of Macedonia" to the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. The highest institution of sciences and arts has been decorated in acknowledgment of its major contribution to establishment of national strategy, development of scientific and artistic work, and affirmation of Macedonian science and the country itself. The President has also awarded the Decoration for Service to the Country to seven MANU academicians. Gorgi Filipovski and Blagoj Popov, one of the founding members of MANU, have been decorated in acknowledgement of their exceptional contribution to the Academy’s work, as well as highest educational and scientific achievements. For their major contribution to affirmation of MANU during their term as the Academy’s Presidents, President Crvenkovski has also bestowed the Decoration for Service to the Country upon the academicians Jordan Pop-Jordanov, Ksente Bogoev, Georgi Efremov, Mateja Matevski and Cvetan Grozdanov.


President Crvenkovski decorated US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Christopher Hill, with the "8th September Decoration". The Decoration was awarded in recognition of Ambassador Hill’s great contribution to nourishing and boosting friendly relations between Macedonia and the US during his term as a first US Ambassador to Macedonia from 1996 to 1999.


The Commission formed to evaluate the graphic solutions for decorations and recognitions, selected the following:

1. 1. Academic Cvetan Grozdanov, meber of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU).
2. Academic Gorgi Filipovski.
3. Professor Gorgi Martinovski, PhD, rector of St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
4. Professor Alajdin Abazi, PhD, rector of the South-East Europe University in Tetovo
5. Professor Vance Stojcev, PhD, professor at the Military Academy
6. Petar Gosev, MA, governor
7. Dane Iliev, President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Macedonia
8. Gorjan Tozija, art historian, adviser in the Cabinet
9. Katerina Hristova, MA, numismatist, NBRM
10. Miroslav Stojanovski, Chief of General Staff (GS)

• Academic Cvetan Grozdanov was elected president of the Commission