The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received Today Ambassador Jan Petersen, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission in the Republic of Macedonia.

The two interlocutors exchanged views on the current political situation in the country on the eve of the upcoming referendum.

At the meeting, President Ivanov stressed that all institutions involved in the conduct of the referendum should unconditionally respect the legal regulations, in accordance with the achieved democratic benefits and the European standards, taking into account the state and the interests of the citizens.

The Head of the OSCE Mission briefed President Ivanov on their activities related to the referendum. The Macedonian President expressed expectation that the OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission will professionally carry out its task within its strictly defined mandate.

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 September 8^th- the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

Congratulating you on September 8^th - the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia, I would like to refer to the essence of this great holiday.

The work begun by the Ilinden fighters, continued by ASNOM fighters, was finished by the Macedonian citizens on September 8, 1991, on our third and final Ilinden.

Before that historic referendum in our homeland, there were no senior foreign officials coming in our country. It was a moment of real national self-reflection that resulted in the unimposed, authentic and pure will of the Macedonian people and Macedonian citizens.

On September 8, 1991, the Macedonian people exercised their right to self-determination, including the right to secede from the former common state. With a vast majority, the Macedonian citizens expressed their will and voted in order to constitute the Republic of Macedonia as a sovereign and independent state, with its own name and dignity. With this act, the people took over the responsibility for the future of the Republic of Macedonia, without reliance on others. As the Macedonian people are the creator of the Republic of Macedonia, so is the Republic of Macedonia the guardian of the Macedonian identity.

The Republic of Macedonia cannot be built on foundations other than those set by the referendum on independence of September 8, 1991. Our generation is obliged to preserve the covenant of the ancestors and hand it over to the descendants. It is a testament to the building of the Republic of Macedonia as a modern and democratic state in which the rule of law governs, not the people, in which everyone is equal before the word of the law - Republic of Macedonia, as a European country in which European values, standards and criteria will be reached.

The decisions made at that first and only referendum that defined the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia were and remain binding on each of us.

Many happy returns to the independence day of the Republic of Macedonia!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg.

At the meeting, the current internal political situation in the Republic of Macedonia was discussed, the country's Euro-Atlantic integrations and the progress of the defense and security reforms in accordance with NATO standards.

The Macedonian President stressed that the Republic of Macedonia is strongly committed to promoting peace and stability and contributing to security in and out of our region.

President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia continuously shows that it is a reliable and strategic partner and NATO ally, adding that as early as 2008, the Republic of Macedonia fulfilled the requirements for NATO membership, and all these years, actively contributing to international peacekeeping missions, deserves membership in NATO without additional conditions.

- I believe that the real place of the Republic of Macedonia is in the European Union and the NATO Alliance. I will continue to support our strategic goals. The European Union and NATO should in no way be an alibi for a bad deal, President Ivanov said at a meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg.

President Ivanov stressed that all of his duties as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in relation to the defense are completed and that the ARM has fulfilled the assigned tasks and managed to prove itself as an equal partner with the armies of the NATO member states in the trainings, exercises and checks, and in practice in carrying out operations.

In this regard, President Ivanov indicated that he supported the process of adopting the strategic defense review in line with the recommendations of the NATO advisory teams and that the new strategy, which is exclusively oriented towards NATO membership, has been drafted.

Taking into account the new real challenges that the region and Europe are facing, President Ivanov added, maintaining the security, stability and prosperity of our region should be a collective interest of all.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Mr. Andrew Page, Director of the Western Balkans Directorate at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom.

The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries, the developments in Europe and the European Union, the current political situation in the Republic of Macedonia and the situation in the region.

President Ivanov reaffirmed the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia in relation to the European and Euro-Atlantic integrations and expressed expectation that despite Brexit, the bilateral support from the United Kingdom for the Republic of Macedonia will continue.

- I believe that the real place of the Republic of Macedonia is in the European Union and in the NATO Alliance. I will continue to support our strategic goals. The European Union and NATO should in no way be an alibi for a bad agreement, President Ivanov said at the meeting.

The Macedonian President reaffirmed the interest for further intensification of the political dialogue with the United Kingdom and the expansion of the areas of cooperation.

Regarding the current regional developments, the need to support the efforts of the Western Balkan countries in building a prosperous, safe and stable neighborhood was emphasized. Maintaining the peace and stability of the region is crucial for the entire European continent, President Ivanov said at the meeting.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation note to the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan, and to all believers of Orthodox faith, on the occasion of the great Christian holiday Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God.

Your Holiness,

Let me sincerely congratulate you personally, all believers of Orthodox faith, the members of the Holy Synod and the whole priesthood and monks, the great Christian holiday Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God.

This holiday is a symbol of faith, salvation, and motherly love. On this great Christian holiday we celebrate the assumption of Virgin Maty in the heavenly dwellings. Her life path, her dedication to God and love of people tell us about her size and role in Christianity. Celebrating life, the love and dedication of the Mother of God to her child, we recall the basic Christian values that have been our guide through the ages.

On this day, let us remember the mercy and the motherly love of the Mother of God and pray for mutual love, respect and understanding.
To the holy, eternal and respected Mother of God!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov