President Ivanov today met the oldest and the youngest couple who have met while living in orphanage and have since founded families of their own. At the meetings, in the appartment block Juria, built for families under social strain, President Ivanov was able to learn more about the problems these families are facing with, and their action to be allowed to buy the appartments they are accomodated in. Nikola Bogoeski, who was allocated one of these appartments to use with his wife 25 years after he has left the Orphanage, informed President Ivanov about his work to pay the rent and his expectations for the future.
- I work in a recycling centre, and my salary is enough to pay the bills. I would like to buy out the appartment. I have informed President Ivanov of this request, and the regulations regarding it - said Bogoeski.
He expects that he will soon receive the property deed on the appartment that was awarded together with 102 other so-called welfare appartments in the JUria area, through the Ministry for Labour and Welfare.
Ilija Jovanovic, President of the Association of children and youth left without parental care - Building our Future - Ivanov is the first Macedonian President to show interest in the problems facing the children left without parental care.

An informal meeting of President Gjorge Ivanov with the leaders of the major political parties was held today in Katlanovo. Present at the meeting with the President were leaders of VMRO-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity Nikola Gruevski, Branko Crvenkovski from the Social-Democrat Aliiance of Macedonia and Ali Ahmeti od the Democratin Union for Integration. Although invited, Menduh Thaqi of the the Democratic party of the Albanians and Imer Selmani of New Democracy, failed to come.

- Macedonian security structures are doing a good job and therefore there is no need to convene the Security COuncil - said President Gjorge Ivanov after the meeting in Katlanovo. Ivanov, speaking on the latest actions that led to recovering large quantities of iilegal arms near the villages of Blace and Radusha, said that some structures are constantly trying to break the law, and they will be sanctioned accordingly.

Besides the security situation in the country, the informal meeting saw discussions on the relations in the region, the human rights issue, and the minority rights, as well as for issues of interest for the political parties. Ivanov said that such meetings are useful to continue the political dialogue in the country.

The applications for participation in the School for Leaders can now be sent to the Cabinet of President Ivanov. This School is intended for young men and women with finished high education. Lectures at the school will be held by distinguished professors and professionals from different walks of social life, including the President. Lectures will be held in Ohrid, between August 16 and 27. Languages of the School are Macedonian and English.

The application is open for citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as children of Macedonians living abroad. The University average for the candidates must be 8.5 or over (or an equivalent, for graduates from abroad). Work experience as well as a Masters degree, will be considered an advantage.

Candidates need to submit to recommendations from a company in which they work, the University where they studied, or an organization where they are active contributors. Also required is a certificate of excellent knowledge of the English language, and a copy of Certificate for accomplished University exams, a biography and a short motivational letter.

Candidates can apply, by post, at the following address -
Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Macedonia
Commission for the School for Leaders
Aco Karamanov street, NA
1.000 Skopje

The dead line for receiving the applications is no latter then June 1st, 2010.

Accomodation expenses, including full board, wili be covered by the Cabinet of the President.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia d-r Gjorge Ivanov today met with the American Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs d-r Phillip Gordon.

During the meeting, President Ivanov underlined the high appreciation Macedonia has for the American involvment in the activities to surpass the only obstacle on the way to the integration of the Republic of Macedonia in the Euro-Atlantic structures.

President Ivanov expressed the Macedonian positions on the differences that our Southern neighbour has regarding our name and expressed the willingness of the Republic of Macedonia to come to a mutually acceptable solution, in the framework of the Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations, as well as the international law in general.

Bearing in mind the adverse effects of leaving Macedonia outside these structures, that affect the economy, as well as the political and general development, President Ivanov underlined that the Republic of Macedonia is the most interested party in reaching a solution, a solution that can be had only by respect for the framework of the negotiations and with a sincere political will on both sides.

Assistant Secretary of State Gordon expressed his hope that, with sincere political will on both sides, there can be a mutually acceptable solution. Gordon underlined that the United States of America continue to count on the partnership and friendship of the Republic of Macedonia, and that they will continue to support the Republic of Macedonia in its Euro-Atlantic integrations.

The regional developments and the Macedonian participation in the ISAF peace mission in Afghanistan were dicussed at the meeting.

Macedonian citizens today had a chance to met President d-r Gjorge Ivanov in his Cabinet, and directly discuss issues of interest or submit proposals. The organized groups of citizens were greeted by Cabinet members and led through the grounds of Villa Vodno.

During their meetings with the President, most of the citizens asked questions about the name issue, the economic situation in the country and gave their ideas.

A citizen of Veles pointed out the large mineral deposits near the city of Veles and proposed a plan to survey the grounds and open up industrial facilities that could employ up to 2.000 people. Another citizen from Skopje asked President Ivanov what is being done to surpass the name issue and how far can Macedonia go in making a compromise. President Ivanov responded that Macedonia has done all that is in her power to fullfill the relevant NATO and EU membership criteria which was confirmed by the decisions at the NATO summit in Bucharest when Macedonia was denied membership solely on the basis of Greek objections over the name. The reform results were also confirmed by the latest European Commission report on Macedonia that appraised Macedonia in compliance with all criteria needed to begin the accession negotiations witj tehe Union. President Ivanov said that the new Greek Prime Minister Papandreou could have contributed more to change the Greek position on the name issue, were it not for the bad economic sitaution in that country.

- All the facts regarding the name, the identity and the language are on our sight, but the might is on the Greek side. The internation law has not seen a case when the name of a country is being challenged by another country. We can't look into a similar precedent. Our country was accepted as a member on the United Nations and reffered to as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, was meant to be used solelu in the UN. With the Interim Accord it was exanded over other international institutions. Greek demands from Macedonia are illogical and I know that no politician in Macedonia would accept to change the name of the country, the Constitution, the language and the nationality for internal purposes. I think that the only thing worth negotiating about is to change the shameful reference under which Macedonia was admitted to the UN. If the economic situation in Greece were somewhat better, I think that Prime Minister Papandreou might have done something to improve the Greek position - said President Ivanov in his response, adding that it is an issue of specific influence over the country.

Another citizes asked the President about the economic situation in MAcedonia and about the dangers of contagion of the Greek crisis into Macedonia. President Ivanov responded that Macedonia is less affected by the crisis in comparison to other countries because Macedonia is a small and easily manageable state. The President praised the Government in its actions to protect the country from the economic crisis and added that a number of state leaders he met during the 65 Anniversary of the Victory in World War Two celebration in Moscow were also concerned over the economic crisis and the drop of the euro. President Ivanov expressed his hopes that the crisis will not spill over into Macedonia, but added that trouble in the neighbourhood can not be a good sign.

- We may have a problem over our name with Greece, but Greece is our economic partner and it is not good if she is in trouble - said Ivanov.

Macedonian President d-r Gjorge Ivanov dedicated the first year of his term in office in the establishment of a positive atmosphere in Macedonia, and to the fullfillment of his pre-election promises. The policy he carries out is the correct one. As any other man, he makes mistakes, but he acknowledges his mistakes and tries to correct them, say the supporters of his Presidential nomination, who gathered to meet the President on the occasion of the first anniversary of his inauguration.

- I will mostly remember the first year of his mandate for his activity in several fields, especially in his main area of competence, which is the international politics. PResident Ivanov worked in creating an atmosphere to build a positive image for Macedonia. What I personally like are his two qualities, which are important for a person in his high position.
He is strong on the Macedonian identity, never forgets who we are and has a wealth of information on this matter, and on the other hand, he is a proponent of openness and building a positive image for Macedonia - said Zlatko Zoglev, rector of the St. Kliment Ohridski University from Bitola.

Playwright Bratislav Dimitrov is of the opinion that President Ivanov hasn't changed, despite the position he is now on, and is still working hard and honestly, which will bring results.

- During the campaign I suggested to Ivanov that he just be himself, that this is a strong enough reason to support him and that it will win him the elections. It is well known that power corrupts people, but here the conventional wisdom has failed. Here, we see that power reveals people for what they are. And I'm pleased to see that, despite his powerful position, President Ivanov has kept his human qualities and traits. Perhaps he did not appear too efective or flamboyant in his first year, but he works a lot and that will bring good results during his mandate - said Dimitrov.

His thoughts on the Presidents work ethic and dedication are shared by the opera diva Slavica Galic Petrovska. She is also pleased by what the President has done and believes that he is working on fullfilling his campaign promises.

- President Ivanov can make a mistake, but he accepts his mistakes and works to correct them - said Galic Petrovska.

Gathered at the Presidential office were Academics Cvetan Grozdanov, Gjorgji Efremov and Tome Bashevski, opera singers Slavica Galic Petrovska and  Vesna Dimovska Ilic, Rade Siljan and Vele Smilevski from the Writers association of Macedonia, rectors Sasa Mitrev and Zlatko Zoglev from the Stip and Bitola Universities, Mane Jakovlevski and others.