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.