The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Doha, the capital of Qatar, had meetings with representatives of the Qatar Investment Authority and the Qatar Foundation.
- These meetings are a result of the concretization of the things that we discussed yesterday with His Highness the Emir of Qatar. During this tenth global forum, attended by approximately 60 states, at the meeting with the Emir, I presented certain concrete projects that we, as a country, can offer to Qatar, along with our government, which is already working on specific projects that can be offered to investors from Qatar. Today, these projects were specifically discussed at the meeting with the Qatar Investment Authority. High ranking officials from QIA stated that they are willing to support concrete projects that we can offer. The talks were focused on specific projects which might be interesting for Qatar investors, primarily in the field of tourism, food industry, agricultural products and other products that they do not have in their country - President Ivanov said for the media after the meeting with the Qatar Investment Authority representatives.
As regards the talks with Qatar Foundation, President Ivanov added that many issues of mutual interest remain open.
- Here in Qatar, top American universities are present and a lot is invested primarily in science and education. Qatar Foundation representatives expressed interest to be acquainted with the situation in Macedonia, the development of the higher education, especially the latest developments in the IT technology, because IT is one of their priorities. They also expressed interest in the field of culture and art, where we can establish concrete cooperation, and particularly they were interested whether our museum exhibitions may be present in their state. Simply, this visit opens many possibilities for cooperation in many spheres, thus our government will probably make efforts, engage all these contacts and seize these opportunities to make our country present in this region and also attract Qatar investors to come to Macedonia and make their profit – stated President Ivanov.

As a country we have always condemned violence and we have always been promoting dialogue as a means to find solutions. We always support the idea of solving the existing problems with peaceful solutions, said President Gjorge Ivanov after yesterdays attack on a humanitarian convoy by Israeli special forces in international waters close to the Gaza Strip. President Ivanov added that the incident was noted at the Doha Forum in Qatar. The President is in Qatar for the Tenth Doha Forum, and he is also having meetings with the political and economic leaders in the country.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia d-r Gjorge Ivanov received a letter from the President of the Hellenic Republic d-r Karolos Papoulias. The letter is an expression of gratitude after President Ivanov congratulated President Papoulias on the occasion of the National Day of Greece. The text of the letter follows.

Mr. President,

Thank you for your letter on the occasion of the National Day of Greece.

I would like to underline that Greece's objective is the enhancement of our relations with all the countries of the region, for the benefit of political stability and economic development. In this spirit, the quick resolution of the issue of the name of your country will contribute positively in order for us to be able to further promote our bilateral relations at all levels.

As you already know, the process of negotiations under the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, M. Nimetz, is underway and I hope that there will be necessary good will, so that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will, in due course, be a member of euro-atlantic institutions.

Karolos Papoulias

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Doha, the capital of Qatar, had meetings with representatives of the Qatar Investment Authority and the Qatar Foundation.
- These meetings are a result of the concretization of the things that we discussed yesterday with His Highness the Emir of Qatar. During this tenth global forum, attended by approximately 60 states, at the meeting with the Emir, I presented certain concrete projects that we, as a country, can offer to Qatar, along with our government, which is already working on specific projects that can be offered to investors from Qatar. Today, these projects were specifically discussed at the meeting with the Qatar Investment Authority. High ranking officials from QIA stated that they are willing to support concrete projects that we can offer. The talks were focused on specific projects which might be interesting for Qatar investors, primarily in the field of tourism, food industry, agricultural products and other products that they do not have in their country - President Ivanov said for the media after the meeting with the Qatar Investment Authority representatives.
As regards the talks with Qatar Foundation, President Ivanov added that many issues of mutual interest remain open.
- Here in Qatar, top American universities are present and a lot is invested primarily in science and education. Qatar Foundation representatives expressed interest to be acquainted with the situation in Macedonia, the development of the higher education, especially the latest developments in the IT technology, because IT is one of their priorities. They also expressed interest in the field of culture and art, where we can establish concrete cooperation, and particularly they were interested whether our museum exhibitions may be present in their state. Simply, this visit opens many possibilities for cooperation in many spheres, thus our government will probably make efforts, engage all these contacts and seize these opportunities to make our country present in this region and also attract Qatar investors to come to Macedonia and make their profit – stated President Ivanov.


Meetings with the Emir of Qatar and the President of Latvia

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov participates at the 10th Doha Forum in Qatar. At the Forum, President Ivanov met His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and His Excellency Valdis Zatlers, President of the Republic of Latvia.

At the meeting with the Emir, special satisfaction was expressed with the deepening of the friendly relations and the permanent dialogue at the highest level between the two countries. Both interlocutors agreed that economic cooperation is the issue on which both countries should put special emphasis and maximize the efforts in the upcoming period. President Ivanov announced to the Emir of Qatar that by the end of this month, via diplomatic channels, about 20 specific projects for investments in the Republic of Macedonia will be submitted to the Cabinet of the Emir. These are projects for investments in hotels, shopping malls, gas stations, fuel storage depots and other possibilities for Qatari investments in Macedonia. The Emir expressed his satisfaction with this announcement and gave assurances that he would personally advocate the Qatari investment authorities to focus on investment opportunities in Macedonia. In the context of deepening the excellent political relations and developing economic relations, the Emir assured President Ivanov that opening of an embassy of Qatar in Macedonia in the forthcoming period is planned.

At the meeting with President Zatlers, the two presidents reviewed the possibilities for strengthening the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries. President Ivanov expressed particular satisfaction with the accepted invitation by President Zatlers for an official visit to the Republic of Macedonia in July. President Ivanov expressed his expectation that this very important visit of President Zatlers will give strong impetus to the relations and cooperation between the two countries in all spheres of common interest. President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the principled and consistent support of the Republic of Latvia in the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic structures. Zatlers stressed that Macedonia's integration into NATO and the European Union is a matter of direct benefit to the region, and the Union as a whole. President Zatlers praised the model of multiethnic coexistence and democracy in the Republic of Macedonia, and Macedonia's role in producing stability in South-East Europe. In line with the principled policy of Latvia, Zatlers noted that we may count on further strong support in Macedonia's EU and NATO integration processes. President Ivanov briefed his Latvian counterpart on the process led under the auspices of the United Nations on finding a solution to the single obstacle which Macedonia is faced with in the integration processes. President Ivanov conveyed the Macedonian position on this issue and stressed that the Republic of Macedonia is continuously devoted and constructive in this process, and that the Republic of Macedonia is the one that seeks for a solution, taking into account the consequences it faces remaining outside of the Euro- Atlantic structures. At the meeting information and opinions were exchanged concerning regional issues, too.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today, at the Presidential Residence, presented the award "Boris Trajkovski" to Bernd Posselt, a member of the European Parliament. The award is bestowed by the Pan-European Union of Macedonia.
- I am pleased that today a true friend of Macedonia is presented with the “Boris Trajkovski” award, a friend who, for more than two decades has strongly supported Macedonia’s independence and the right to self-determination, national identity and welfare of its people. Mr. Bernd Posselt is following his political ideas, principles and ideals consequently and not under the influence of the daily politics. He is a strong voice in the European Parliament for the right of the all the smaller European Nations on their identity and integrity – said President Ivanov.
At the ceremony of presenting the award, Ivanov stressed that the Pan-European Union continuously supports the development, deepening and enlargement of the European Union and that it contributed to the achievement of the most recent agreement, the Lisbon Treaty, which is considered a step forward in the direction of geographical and political unification of the whole of Europe within the European Union.
According to him, by spreading the idea a united Europe, we best fight for the European values and ideals, freedom, democracy, rule of law, but also prohibition of the violation of individual rights to identity and dignity.
- Europe, which is based on these values, should remain faithful to the great vision of a united and open continent. Therefore, we encourage our European partners, in their approach towards Macedonia, to remain consistent and principled. We encourage them to use more frequently the compass of unity and unification. The Lisbon Treaty offers a chance. In the name of common future, in the name of the legacy of those who worked on unification, today's European leadership should demonstrate its vision and seize the opportunity - stressed President Ivanov.
According to Posselt, Macedonia deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize for what it did in 1999 with the refugee crisis as well as for the peaceful departure from Yugoslavia.
- The award for me personally is a huge incentive to work, to unite Europe on the basis of reconciliation. Macedonia should not join Europe. Macedonia is a European country, a country from the heart of Europe, said Posselt.
The President of the International Pan-European Union, Mr. Alain Terenoire, once again reiterated support for the Macedonia’s Pan-European Union.
- Macedonia has a friend and supporter in the Pan-European Union who will represent its legitimate interests, said Terenoire.
The Pan-European Union was established in 1923 as a movement that paved the road to unity, peace and progress. More than 60 years it has been working on the message for establishing a large, united Europe.

Macedonian President d-r Gjorge Ivanov today met with the Romanian President Trajan Basesku, who is on a one-day official visit to Macedonia. After the cordial meeting, President Ivanov spoke about the good and friendly relations between the countries, based on constructive cooperation and mutual support in the bilateral and multilateral venues.
- Together we expressed our satisfaction from the level of cooperation between the Parliaments of both countries, and we emphasised that in the future we need to expect more cooperation in other areas, like the military ties, cooperation in the field of internal affairs, justice, education and culture. I relayed the interest of the Republic of Macedonia to intensify our cooperation in strenghtening the integrative processes in the EU and NATO and I said I have expectations that Romania will continue to openly support us - said President Ivanov.
President Basesku confirmed the strong support for Macedonian entry into NATO and the European Union, adding that he expects this to happen in the near future. President Basesku also gave his opinion on the issue that the Republic of Greece puts before the Macedonian Euro-Atlantic integrations.
- As a country we support a reasonable compromise, a mutually acceptable solution that will leave both countries satisfied. Neither Greece nor Macedonia should look into the historic past looking for obstacles. Both countries must agree and build the European future together. Only a united Europe can guarantee a safe and stable Balkans - said President Basesku.
On his part, President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the support the Romanian state gives to the culture and the tradition of Macedonians in Romania, the support for the Macedonian language studies in the city of Krayova and the fact that the delegation of the Romanian President also included a member of Parliament - representative of the Association of Macedonians in Romania.
Both Presidents will also speak at the Romanian - Macedonian Business Forum in Skopje.
While in Macedonia, President Basesku will also meet the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski, the President of the Macedonian Parliament Trajko Veljanovski and representatives of the Vlach community in the country.