Respected Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Excellencies,
It is my special honor and pleasure to address you today, at the women’s session during the 15th Eurasian Economic Summit organized by the Marmara Foundation. Allow me to express my gratitude and appreciation to the organizers, especially to Mrs. Mujgan Suver, who, with great persistence, from year to year, unites us all on the road on which with every next step we take to improve the role of women globally. Also, I use this opportunity to extend my congratulations to the Marmara Foundation for the 15th anniversary of the Eurasian Economic Summit and wish you much success in organizing next summits.

I warmly welcome all of you present here. Our presence here at this moment, is yet another confirmation that we have not given up, that we have not stopped fighting for a better tomorrow, for a better future, but, on a daily basis, we try with our efforts and activities to overcome global challenges faced by women.

Dear Ladies,
Women for decades are paving the path to fairness and equality. The first and real goal on that road was to have the same rights and opportunities as men do. However, that goal, by itself, did not mean accomplishment. Rather, it was just one step on the path to full social contribution that women may and are obliged to provide in the socio-economic trends. The blessing of a woman in creating new life is a commitment to care for a better living. Thus, balance created by nature is our challenge to create and promote a sustainable society in all spheres; society that can cope with all challenges. The real question in this context is no longer whether, but to what extend can we transform our desires and efforts into reality. And I am sure we can, we know how to contribute to the development of our societies, reinforcing the irretrievability of that process.

Distinguished participants,
My country, persisting over the time, as a bridge between two continents, as a crossroads of many cultures, religions and civilizations, deep in its history, has embodied the benefits from ancient times till today, from East and West, from Christianity and Islam, from Europe and Asia. The conditions and life in my country have constantly been changing, but what remains are the values of each generation from which we are constantly learning.

The image of Macedonian society today and the role of women are a combined expression of traditional values on one hand, and political will and commitment of women on the other hand. In recent years, the Republic of Macedonia has made very significant steps towards improving the social role of women. On that road to changes, in every segment of my work, I support activities and projects that promote women’s participation in social development improvement. In different ways, through my direct patronage, active involvement and initiatives, as well as implementing all kinds of available social resources, I try to held meeting their noble objectives.

With the amendments in the legislation pertaining to the guaranteed 1/3 participation of women in the representative bodies, today the number of women MPs, ministers and state officials is increased. With their contribution, perseverance and commitment, women are more and more successful in significant social reform projects. Their activities substantially contribute in many policy initiatives and legislative changes in the area of social protection, health, education and culture.

What I would like to stress particularly is women's participation in the economic flows. From year to year, there is a growing number of successful women managers who understand market conditions, involve their creativity and promote new socially responsible concepts in doing business.

As far as health is concerned, I welcome the initiatives and reforms undertaken and implemented in my country by the institutions. However, I am especially proud of the projects initiated, implemented and organized by women's associations I am personally always ready to help. In that regard, I can point out my collaboration with the National Association of Women suffering from breast cancer; together we are trying to promote the need for regular checks and early detection of breast cancer. But at the same time we offer support and happier moments to the struggling ones, and to encourage them with successfully healed disease examples.

With reference to the child protection, in the previous period, to my great pleasure, I have supported the initiatives of the civil sector and of the institutions of the Republic of Macedonia for adequate treatment and health care, education and integration of children with disabilities. Particularly close and important to me is the support for children with autism. Under my auspices, for two years, many various activities have been organized, aimed to change public awareness, to show that every child, every person enjoys the same rights and opportunities. This year we have mobilized different social groups, politicians, diplomats, academia, business community and citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, united under the motto "Autism speaks, it's time to listen". Those children are among us, it is important to recognize their needs and to support all activities for their inclusion.

Dear Ladies,
I have shared with you today some of the activities I support as wife of the President of the Republic of Macedonia. I hope that in your speeches I will recognize all those activities and projects that we as women may not be strong enough to implement them, but we are always successful in inspiring them.

Each of us should leave today's event with an additional responsibility - to recognize and encourage every woman willing to give a broader social support, to encourage and support her in achieving her objectives, and, of course, to contribute to the assessment of her success. Only through mutual support, we will succeed in making changes, we will be able to face challenges to overcome disappointments and celebrate successes as an incentive for the future.

Thank you.