Macedonia's President Gjorge Ivanov was awarded Thursday at Istanbul University with Honorary Doctorate title. This high recognition was handed over by the Istanbul University Rector Yunus Soylet who used this solemn occasion to refer to President Ivanov as a man who employs all his efforts to promote democracy and peace, highlighting the importance of inter-ethnic tolerance and dialogue. 

Acknowledging the successful cooperation between the Istanbul University and the universities in Macedonia, Rector Soylet announced to work on future strengthening of the relations between the academic institutions, as well as continuation of the cooperation in the fields of education, culture and science.

Istanbul University is the oldest and best-established university of Turkey and ranks among the first 10 founded in Europe. The higher education institution is a successor of Constantinople school, where St Cyril, who along with his brother Methodius devised the Glagolitic alphabet, was both student and teacher in the IX century.

"As a professor at the University 'Ss. Cyril and Methodius' in Skopje I consider my presence here as a kind of an academic pilgrimage, as I am visiting the historic center of knowledge, science and art, the city where the scholars of my people and patrons of my university got their education and created their works," Ivanov said during the lecture he gave on the topic “The megalopolis as a model for society management in the 21 century”

President Ivanov dedicated this lecture to Istanbul, one of the 25 largest cities in the world.

“Istanbul connects two continents as a crossroad of cultures and civilizations. This large city has been connecting Europe with Asia, the Balkans with Anadolia for centuries. It is an important trade center merging Turkish economical, social and cultural life,” said President Ivanov adding that Istanbul is a city both old and modern, peaceful and dynamic, multi-ethnic and multi-religious, multilingual and multicultural, is more than Turkey, Istanbul is the world.

With this ceremony President Ivanov wrapped up the working part of the visit to Turkey, where he attended the 14th Eurasian Economic Forum which has been organized by the Marmara Foundation since 1998.

Joint action is the only way to deal with global challenges - economic crisis and potential global recession, climate change, threats from lack of food and resources, said President Gjorge Ivanov in his address at Wednesday's opening of the 14th Eurasian Economic Summit, organized by Marmara Foundation in Istanbul.

"Let's leave behind all historic misunderstandings and strengthen dialogue and cooperation. Let's work with commitment on strengthening ties among countries, underlining each individual contribution, investing in the fields we are best in", stressed Ivanov, adding that regional cooperation, coordinated investments in green and sustainable development would yield success in eradicating poverty, reducing risks and tracing a secure future.

President Ivanov expressed his confidence that all the attendees at the Forum have the same goal – to provide better living and perspectives for their citizens and better conditions which will enable them to realize their intellectual and business ideas.

"Republic of Macedonia has continually been investing in the improvement of the business climate and business conditions for domestic and foreign companies. Our goal is to achieve stable economic growth, enable development of the private sector, attract investments and open new jobs. My objective as President is to open doors and create conditions for increased economic cooperation", said Ivanov.

According to him, the Istanbul forum, which aims at linking the east and the west, and open platforms for discussion on significant geo-strategic, geo-economic and geopolitical issues, would produce fruitful debate, opinion exchange and possibilities for cooperation.

Forum participants today discuss on issues related to the regional economic cooperation, energetic potentials and security, fight against global terrorism, strengthening of the dialogue, as well as for the potential future projects.

President Ivanov will have his main address in frames of the Session of the Contemporary Sagacious Men, dedicated to the 20th anniversary since 27 countries of the region declared independence, among which is also Republic of Macedonia. He will reflect upon the newly acquired experiences, the challenges and the democratic achievements and perspectives.

The event will also host a Women’s Business Forum on the topic “The wives of the leaders as role models and their influence on policies regarding women”, at which the wife of the President of Republic of Macedonia Ms. Maja Ivanova will address.

During the visit of Turkey the Macedonian chief of state will also visit the Istanbul University and give a lecture on the topic “The megalopolis as a model for society management in the 21 century”.  The Rector of the University will award the title Doctor Honoris Causa to President Ivanov. Istanbul University is one of the oldest educational institutions in Turkey and in the world.

“Vision and leadership within the European Union are necessary to end the status quo state in Macedonia in terms of launching accession talks, because our case could trigger positive changes in the region. Recent intensive talks with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso this past weekend in Ohrid and with Hungary's President and PM - Pal Schmitt and Viktor Orban respectively - on Monday instills hope that, after all, the situation in Macedonia in terms of its EU positions will be changed,” stated Macedonian President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov before meeting Tuesday with Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover.

At the meeting with Kover both sides expressed satisfaction for the cooperation between the parliaments, focusing on the need for further strengthening of this especially important segment in the bilateral relations.

The Macedonian head of state thanked for the strong clear support Macedonia receives from Hungary in its efforts made to join the European Union as soon as possible, voicing hope that the two national assemblies would assist this process through their mutual cooperation.

The President of the Hungarian Parliament Kover demonstrated readiness for cooperation, saying that Macedonia could count on Hungarian support.

"At all the talks with the Hungarian authorities, it was noted that Hungary as current holder of the EU presidency will manage to raise the issue of setting a date for negotiations at all the meetings focused on enlargement. A promise was also made that the issue will be raised at the upcoming meeting of the European Council," Macedonian President said.

According to Dr. Ivanov, since Macedonia has already met all the requirements, the Copenhagen criteria and the obligations noted as remarks in European Commission reports, the country deserves a date for negotiations start.

The Macedonian delegation led by President Ivanov, today visited the Faculty of Humanities within Eötvös Loránd University. In the talks with the Dean and the Rector of this oldest Hungarian University, which marks 375 years of existence, Ivanov was informed that inclusive studies in Macedonian language and literature will be introduced as of September. In the school year 2010/2011 total of 15 Hungarian students enrolled in the Macedonian language studies, compared to previous years when only one or two have shown interest. The President in this occasion donated 300 books in Macedonian.

At the margins of the official visit to Hungary, President Ivanov held earlier today informal talks with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu. As usual, talks were quite friendly and substantial. Macedonia's EU integration, the current political and economic situation in both countries and the situation in the region in terms of EU integration were the focal points of Ivanov-Davutoğlu talks. Turkey's strong support for Macedonia was once again confirmed and interlocutors praised the bilateral cooperation, having all the features of a strategic partnership.

President Ivanov has wrapped up his first official visit to Hungary after meeting with representatives of the Macedonian community in Budapest, which was organized by the Macedonian Embassy.

After Budapest, Ivanov will embark in a trip to Istanbul, where he is to attend the Eurasian Economic Forum, organized by the Marmara Foundation.

Hungary will do everything in its power to overcome the status quo situation involving the EU integration process of Macedonia, Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban told Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov at the official meeting in Budapest.

Meeting with Ivanov, Orban manifested readiness and determination Hungary, being an EU chairmanship holder, to give significance to the issue of Macedonia's EU integration and to discuss it with its partners in EU.

President Ivanov sought Hungary's support and assistance at his meeting in the next step to be made in the EU integration process - setting a date and start for membership negotiations.

The President noted that a date for EU entry talks would send a message of encouragement for Macedonia to resume its reforms, which will not only affect positively in the region, but it will also maintain the enlargement credibility as the most successful policy of EU.

The Macedonian head of state told Orban that he was pledging Hungarian authorities to strengthen their engagement in convincing EU partners to observe recommendations by the European Commission and European Parliament. Ivanov also sought Macedonia to be treated fairly, pointing out the example of Slovenia and Croatia for parallel processes of integrating and settling bilateral disputes. Ivanov and Orban at their meeting also discussed bilateral relations at political and economic level.

The same messages were conveyed by President Ivanov to his Hungarian counterpart Pal Schmitt later in the day.

“President Schmitt and I have both agreed on the necessity of further intensifying the relations and the cooperation between Macedonia and Hungary in all areas of shared interest, especially in the economy. Great part of our talks was focused on Macedonian Euro-integration processes. I expressed my gratitude for the continuous support received from Hungary so far, as well as the expectation for this support to maintain in the upcoming crucial period, through setting a date for start of entry negotiations during the Hungarian Presidency with EU,” said President Ivanov following the meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Schmitt. 

Hungary is giving Macedonia 100-percent support and will put forward the issue of the accession talks date at the next session of the EU Council, Hungarian President Pal Schmitt told Macedonian colleague Gjorge Ivanov at Monday's tête-à-tête meeting.

“For Republic of Hungary and for the stability of the entire region Macedonia’s accession to the EU is very important. During our talk with President Ivanov I highlighted that besides the warm political relations, we will continue developing our economical cooperation. Hungary holds the third position by the amount of investments in Macedonia and in the near future an agreement for commercial cooperation will be signed between the two countries,” said Hungarian President Schmitt at the press conference.

Schmitt also underlined that an important topic of the conversation was the name issue, pointing that Hungary prefers not to involve directly, but will talk to both of the countries encouraging them to find appropriate solution. "There is no obstacle in passing a decision to give the country an accession talks date, since they could last 3-4 years, with a solution to the name problem found during that period. The name problem needs to be solved, but a decision on the accession talks date can be passed", said Schmitt after the meeting.

Following the meeting with President Schmitt, President Ivanov gave an interview for the Hungarian National TV Duna. On Monday, one of the most influential newspapers in Hungary - Magyar Hírlap - published an interview with President Ivanov titled "A Strong Macedonia Would be Beneficial for All". In it, Ivanov speaks about several issues, namely EU integration, the name issue and economy.

Asked what he would say to those questioning the existence of Macedonia, President Ivanov answered: „I’d say they need to wake up, get in touch with reality and get serious. While as many other countries we have been facing challenges in economy and in resolving transitional issues, when it comes to the word existence I would invite all of those who talk or wish that kind of scenarios to visit Macedonia and convince themselves of the reality of a peace-loving nation, based on the concept of integration without assimilation, with a reform oriented political agenda, a country at the doorstep of EU and NATO”.

In the frames of the two-day official visit to Hungary, President Gjorge Ivanov also met the President of the Hungarian Parliament Laszlo Kover, as well as the Macedonian community in Budapest.

Europe is strong only when it is united, politically, economically and socially – this is the leading idea behind the three days International Conference of the Macedonian Pan-European Union, being held in Dojran under the motto “More Europe in the South-East Region is the Answer”.

At the Conference, that was officially opened by the President of Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, besides the host, the Mayor of the Municipality of Dojran, Gligor Chabulev and the Mayors of the South-eastern municipalities, 14 Euro-parliamentarians and representatives of the International Pan-European Union are attending.

“In Europe and the EU we see a unification of countries that have succeeded to overcome the equally strong hostilities and hatred, and unite through a process of economical and subsequently political alliance. This process of unification is based upon shared values, which no one can step aside from,” said President Ivanov in his address in front of the Conference attendees.  

At the solemn opening President Ivanov handed over the “Boris Trajkovski” award to Alain Terrenoire, President of the International Pan-European Union, as an acknowledgement for all of his previous efforts towards the idea for united Europe, but also as an incentive for all the future successes to be achieved in the name of this high vision.  

The working part of the Conference is dedicated to important issues related to the future of Macedonia within the European Union, but also to concrete projects and investments in the Municipality of Dojran. As President Ivanov illustratively described: “The light you see on the opposite shore of the lake is coming from the equally small town with almost identical name – Dojrani. It is clear that both Dojran and Dojrani will be much better off as part of a united Europe, in one economic system without artificial division that the border brings. This distances you see tell us how small we are when divided, and how grand we can be once we unite”,  

The President of the Pan-European Union Macedonia Marjan Gjorcev, the President of the International Pan-European Union Alain Terrenoire and the Mayor of Dojran Gligor Chabulev will also address the Conference. Moderators of the thematic part are Martin Camp, General Secretary of the Pan-European group within the European Parliament, and Anita Popovska, member of the Pan-European Union Macedonia presidency.

The Pan-European Union is established in 1923 as a movement that carved the path towards unity, peace and progress. More than 60 years this union works on the ideal of big, united Europe.

In observance of the International Roma Day, 8 April, the President d-r Gjorge Ivanov organized a reception for representatives of the Roma community – politicians, artists, sportsmen, activists.

Using the occasion, President Ivanov underlined the necessity of increased action for full integration of the Roma population within the Macedonian society and throughout Europe as well. He stressed that Republic of Macedonia is a leader in providing and respecting minority rights of Roma, as equal citizens of the country.

“The situation with the Roma community in the country and the amount of rights provided, represent an example for the world. Namely, in our country Roma people have the opportunity to follow lectures in their mother tongue, to vote for their political parties and candidates, and be represented in all the institutions of the state. In Republic of Macedonia there is a municipality where the majority of the population is Roma, lead by a Roma mayor. The official language in use in this municipality is the Roma language,” said President Ivanov in his address during the reception.

2011 is the year when Macedonia is taking over the presidency with the Roma Decade, an initiative in which 12 countries are involved. “I believe that the activities envisaged within the Roma Decade for the upcoming period will lead to further advancement of Roma people lives, above all in housing, health, employment and education as key areas for quality life. I assure you that in the institution President and in my personality you can find a devoted supporter of the efforts for further improvement of the social and economical situation of Roma,” said President Ivanov.

8 April is the day when Roma culture, history and identity are celebrated, with intensified efforts for raising public awareness on the problems and the challenges Roma face in all the countries, as the biggest ethnic minority in Europe.