Македонскиот

Macedonian President d-r Gjorge Ivanov was in Moscow today, for the parade in honor of the 65th anniversary of the victory over fascism. During the visit, President Ivanov briefly met his Russian host, President Dmitry Medvedev.

- Attending the parade in Moscow is an opportunity to see the anti-fascism coalition together again, including Macedonia which was part of the coalition. By taking the victorious side in the war, Macedonia managed, after many centuries, the rebirth of its state - said President Ivanov.

During the meeting with President Medvedev, the topic of discussion focused on the relations between Macedonia and Russia, the trade relations, and the Friendship agreement between the two countries that is due to be signed soon, as well as the additional liberalization of the visa regime for Russian citizens traveling to and through Macedonia. President Ivanov also expressed his gratitude to President Medvedev for the invitation to attend the economic summit in Saint Petersburg, that is due on June 16th.

While in Moscow, President Ivanov also met the leaders of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus, Slovakia Ivan Gasparovic, Serbia Boris Tadic, Croatia Ivo Josipovic and Montenegro Philip Vujanovic.

- We have discussed the economic crisis that is, in a way, closing down our field for political activity - said Ivanov.

The President of Macedonia also met the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holliness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia. Patriarch Kirill, who is well acquainted with the situation in the Macedonian Orthodox Church, expressed his readiness, in the limits of his abilities, to make his contribution for the resolving of the issue that pressures the relations between the Macedonian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox Churces.

Over 12.000 soldiers, 100 planes and 150 armoured vehicles paraded at the Red Square. This years parade was marked by the fact that, for the first time in history, four NATO battalions also took part in the parade.