The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Miro Cerar.

At the meeting, the two interlocutors discussed the promotion of bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Slovenia, which are characterized by trust, friendship and solid partnership, as well as the current developments and challenges in the region.

The Macedonian President stressed that the continued visits at the political level additionally confirm the excellent relations between the two countries and thanked for the excellent cooperation between the two countries during the migrant crisis in 2015 and the presence of Slovenian police on our border. President Ivanov added that in the coming period, the efforts should focus on intensification and increase of the economic cooperation and trade through encouragement of joint investments.

Regarding the Macedonian Euro-Atlantic integrations, President Ivanov expressed hope that the long-standing open and unreserved support from the Republic of Slovenia will continue in the future in terms of opening the accession negotiations with the EU and membership of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO.

Regarding the political developments in our country, the Macedonian President stressed that although the people expressed their sovereign will in the referendum and unambiguously rejected the Prespa Agreement, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia does not take this into consideration, with the majority of MPs acting contrary to the will of the people.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on the challenges of illegal migration, noting the need for the successful cooperation to continue in the future in order to achieve greater regional stability and security.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation message to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the celebration of the national holiday October 23rd - the Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle.

Respected citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

The highest goal of one nation is to create its own state. Only those nations that have created their own state have attained freedom by becoming self-sufficient. October 23rd, 1893, is a key moment in the Macedonian revolutionary struggle for achieving that highest goal. Exactly 125 years ago, several brave Macedonians formed the Macedonian Revolutionary Committee, which gave the people hope that, by their own strength, they can stand on their own. Innumerable Macedonian patriots have laid their lives down for the realization of this ideal.

Today, their dream of a free and independent Macedonia is a reality. But freedom is not conquered once and for all, but every day and constantly. Therefore, our generation's obligation is not to allow our free and independent state of the Republic of Macedonia to be disfigured.

In almost all the decisive moments of our history, the people have always brought a wise decision. It was the same this time again. In the referendum held on September 30th, the people, by not voting, clearly voiced their voices against hasty, imposed and harmful solutions adopted without a previously reached national consensus. In the referendum, the people expressed their sovereign will and unequivocally rejected the Prespa Agreement. The Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia had to take this into consideration, but the majority of the deputies acted contrary to the will of the people.

It takes courage to persevere in exercising the right to self-determination and in preserving the sovereignty and independence of the state. Courage that enabled the Macedonian revolutionaries and fighters to realize their dream.

People always celebrate the brave and history despises the dreadful and corrupt. Without respect for the past, without own identity and self-awareness, there is no prosperous present, nor will there be a better future. Each generation has its own struggle and aspiration. Our aspiration is towards a better and more dignified life here, in the Republic of Macedonia.

Therefore, let us not lose hope and love for the Republic of Macedonia, because only as a sovereign and independent state it will be a protector of our freedom and our human dignity.

May we celebrate the Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle for many years!

Long live the Republic of Macedonia!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the letters f credence of H.E. Mr. Wojciech Jerzy Tycinski, newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Macedonia.

At the ceremony of presenting the credentials, President Ivanov stressed that the Macedonian-Polish relations are characterized by sincere friendship, mutual respect, continuous political dialogue and significant dynamics in cooperation in several areas of mutual interest.

President Ivanov said that the support and assistance from the Republic of Poland for realization of our set strategic goals, membership in NATO and the European Union is of particular importance to our country.

"As President of the Republic of Macedonia I have absolutely no dilemma that the place of the Republic of Macedonia is in the European Union and NATO. But we should join these organizations with our human dignity, without blackmails, pressure and double standards. The sovereign will of the Macedonian citizens in the referendum should be respected. Therefore, after the referendum, I hope that the process for Macedonia's accession to NATO and the European Union will continue", President Ivanov said.

In that regard, President Ivanov asked for support from the Republic of Poland for unblocking the process of membership of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO and the European Union, without violating the right to self-determination.
"I sincerely expect and hope that the Republic of Poland will take into account our arguments, our achievements and that the support in the realization of our goals will continue in the coming, extremely important period. The European perspective is the best guarantee for prosperity and stability in the Balkans", the Macedonian President said.

Ambassador Tycinski stressed that his country attaches great importance to the promotion of bilateral relations and the strengthening of friendly relations between the two friendly nations. Moreover, Ambassador Tycinski emphasized the importance of the values that bring closer the two nations, and that one more thing should be added, which is the compatibility of the common interests as partners in the international relations.

"As a country that has played an important role in the overthrow of the communist system in our part of Europe, we believe that every country deserves our support for its ambitions to shape its fate in accordance with the will of the nation and the principles of the democratic world", Ambassador Tycinski said.

As Ambassador Tycinski pointed out, the acceptance of such a political philosophy by Poland also results from the assumption that free, democratic, development and good cooperation with Macedonia is an important goal not only for Macedonians, but for the entire Balkan region and Europe as whole and that Europe cannot be stable if all European countries do not remain stable.

President Ivanov congratulated the newly appointed ambassador for his post and wished him success in carrying out the responsible diplomatic duty.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today, in a farewell meeting, H.E. Ms. Lepa Babic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, the two interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the current development of relations and cooperation between the two countries, characterized by traditional friendship, identical vision and priorities for the development of the international and regional cooperation, as well as mutual strategic goals - peace and stability in the region, membership in the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Ambassador Babic expressed confidence that Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to be a partner of the Republic of Macedonia in the achievement of the strategic goals, thanked for her hospitality during her term as ambassador and expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with all Macedonian institutions.

President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the contribution of Ambassador Babic in building excellent bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, wishing success in her future career.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in a farewell meeting, the Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Vienna, H.E. Mr. Phoukhao Phommavongsa.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Ambassador Phommavongsa exchanged views on the current political situation and the challenges facing our region.

The two interlocutors expressed the expectation that the cooperation between the two countries will continue and will be promoted on a bilateral and multilateral basis within the UN. At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the possibility of implementing projects in the field of culture, education and science, which will further enrich the mutual relationship.

President Ivanov pointed out that Macedonia is interested to cooperate with Laos within the Organization of the Francophonie, where this country is a particularly active member.

The Macedonian President expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Phommavongsa for his engagement and wished him success in his future career.