The President of the Republic of Macedonia d-r Gjorge Ivanov awarded former Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark Uffe Elleman Jensen with the 8th of September medal, for his immense support in the development and strenghtening of the friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedoani and the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as for his contribution in the strenghtening of the international reputation and position of the Republic of Macedonia. At the awarding ceremony, President Ivanov spoke of the personal actions undertaken by Minister Jensen in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as of the attention and continued support for the Republic of Macedonia.

In the Presidential residence at Vodno, President d-r Gjorge Ivanov decorated former President of the Republic of Bulgaria d-r Zelu Zelev with the 8th of September Award, the highest medal issued by the Republic of Macedonia. This medal is awarded to President Zelev for his exceptional contribution in the recognition of the independence and soveregnty of the Republic of Macedonia on the part of the Republic of Bulgaria. Bulgaria was the first state that recognized Macedonias independence and gave an immense support to the further establishment of Macedonia in the international community. With this, President Zelev gave a major boost to the development of the bilateral relations and the cooperation between the two countries.

While emphasising President Zelevs contribution, President Ivanov also reminded that Bulgaria remains to this very day as a staunch supporter of the Macedonian place in the international community. Still, President Ivanov said, 18 years after the declaration of independence, Macedonia is still being faced with unprovoked challenges and obstructions. This means that the need to make historic decisions has still not passed for the Macedonian state.

- Despite all the challenges, we continue to build and improve our country and to improve our model of functioning multiethnic democracy with democratic means. We constantly choose the path of constructivness and responsibility and look for the wider regional and European goals and interests - said President Ivanov.

Former Bulgarian President Zelev expressed his gratitude for the high award he was given and reminded the public of the causes and circumstances that led to the Bulgarian recognition of Macedonia. Zelev pointed out the fact that Bulgaria remains a major supporter of the Macedonian statehood and that 127 countries, including Russia, the United States of America, China and the United Kingdom, currently recognize the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name. Therefore, it is a disgrace to continue obstructing Macedonia in the use of its name, said President Zelev.

Please allow me to wish you luck and success in the mision you are undertaking. In the name of all the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, I can relay you our feeling of pride and deep gratitude.
I’m aware of the personal sacrifice every one of you is about to udertake. The deprivations and hardship that awaits you in the next months. The Republic of Macedonia has made the decision to take part in a mission in a far away country fully aware of its seriousness. But, the risks we face today clearly show that there can be no safe or isolated place. Macedonia itself has been subjected to threats, and has learned to appreciate security and safety. Therefore, we decided to give a very strong support to this mission, even when compared to our resources and scale.
Macedonia is a part of a coalition of democratic and free states, and has backed it up not only with words, but with actions. This coalition, led by the United States of America, has the strenght and the resolve to accomplish its goal. We are part of an alliance of countries united around our common values. United in our dedication to freedom and democracy. Therefore, because of our high aiming goals and ideals, this mission has rightfully enjoyed the broad support of the Macedonian citizens, the politicans and the public.
The mission in Afghanistan has been well understood in the international community, as well as by the citizens of that proud, yet tormented country. Our forces in Afganistan have the goal to help the citiznes of the country to build up their own democratic and free future. The countries taking part in this mission ask for nothing for themselves. Our reward is the realisation that we have done what ever was in our power to help, in the most challenging of times. Afghanistan is a country with an exceptional past and a rich cultural and religious tradition. Macedonia too has a deep and long lasting multicultural traidion, a tradition of respect between the various religiouns, ethnic communities and cultures. This tradition can best be seen in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.
Therefore, I know that you will be excellent and worthy ambassadors of your country. This is your chance to show, before the members of the great international coalition, that in Macedonia soldiers from all ethnic and religious backgrounds work together. That we can rely on each other in the hardest and most serious tasks. Our example of togetherness is well recognized and appreciated by our allies, as our unique contribution to solving the issues facing our world.
Macedonia, taking part in the missions in Iraq, Bosnia, Lebanon and Afghanistan, showed that it is integrated, on an equal basis, with the other countries from the Euro-Atlantic family of nations. Macedonia is a full member in taking on the responsibilities. With our dedication, we invest in the strenght of this global Alliance, which is here to last, and which is the hope of many people the World over.
It is because of this that we are proud of our soldiers. You are standing here before the flag, because you are the best. The best prepared. The most successful. The prime representatives of our country, our values and our dedication.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today met the Former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Milan Kucan. Celebrating the Day of Independence of the Republic of Slovenia, President Kucan awarded President Ivanov with the collection “Iconotheca Valvasoriana”, consisted of 17 large-size volumes which represent a monumental scientific project of the Republic of Slovenia.
At the awarding ceremony of the impressive collection, President Ivanov extended his gratitude that Macedonia is one of the rare countries awarded with the collection “Iconotheca Valvasoriana” – national treasure of the Republic of Slovenia. Ivanov also thanked for the Slovenian support for Macedonia in the European integration processes, as well as for the facilitation of the visa liberalization. “We have Europe here. We have that Europe which was more united and more solidary than this Europe of today. The differences were tolerated, what was worth was respected and what was to remain for the next generations was stored”, stated President Ivanov.
The Former Slovenian President Kucan indicated that Europe shall have its future only if it recognizes the differences of the identities and cultures. President Kucan emphasized that the name, the language and the identity are a sovereign right to every nation which no one can deny. Europe shall have its future if it recognizes the differences of the identities and cultures otherwise the idea of united Europe shall cease to exist.
„Iconotheca Valvasoriana“ is a collection of European graphics by Janez Vajkard Valvasor (1641-1693). The collection is consisted of 17 large-size volumes which encompass a total of 7,752 scientific-critical facsimiles of prints and drawings by eminent European scientists and masters of the 15th, 16th and 17th century.
The collection “Iconotheca Valvasoriana” will be kept in the Presidential Library and it will be available for scientists for their scientific work.