Innovations move the society towards progress, ease people’s lives and help in overcoming obstacles and challenges. Being aware of the enormous significance of the new technological discoveries, President Gjorge Ivanov met few of the members of the Union of Innovators and Authors of Technological Advancements of Macedonia (SPATUM), who have presented their achievements and results. The main goal of the Union is to promote innovators’ activities, creative work and technological culture in companies, educational institutions, organizations and to the citizens of Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov acknowledged the restless initiative of Macedonia’s innovators, accentuating their convincing contribution for reviving and accelerating country’s economy. He expressed his full support for their innovations and congratulated them for all of the successes achieved so far. 

“Macedonian innovators are among the most prominent ambassadors of our country in the world, and the awards and acknowledgements received on international level undoubtedly support this claim. Their work shows that the idea and the creativity are the greatest capital of one society and a major drive of development. Therefore they need the support of us all,” said President Ivanov.

Every year SPATUM organizes the traditional International Exhibition of Innovations, Technological Improvements, New Products and Work of the Youth – MAKINOVA. This event enables citizens to be introduced with the new technological discoveries, but also to present their problems for which Macedonian innovators promise that an adequate solution will be found.

“The Union has taken over the task to contribute to the economical and the technological development of our country. We have the support of the President and the Government to continue our work. If the innovator is satisfied and succeeds to generate income, that would have positive effects on all of us,” said Kolja Asenov, Secretary of SPATUM.

Since the establishment of the Union in 1957 onwards, there are 11,300 registered innovations. In 1996 SPATUM becomes regular member of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations – IFIA with headquarters in Geneva, and since 2002 is a regular member of the Federation’s Executive Committee. In its analysis on the activities of the member countries conducted in 2003, out of 108 associations IFIA ranked SPATUM on the 13th place for innovation applicable in the economy.

According to the State Office for Industrial Property’s data, there are 50 innovators in Republic of Macedonia who actively submit their patents and who have received acknowledgements for their innovations within and out of Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, assessed that the participation of all political parties in the forthcoming early parliamentary elections, scheduled for June 5th, is positive for the state. The President, in the statement after he visited Kochani and Makedonska Kamenica, added that he expects the elections to be organized and conducted in the best possible manner and condemned all announcements for obstructions and violence.
- I am glad that all political parties have accepted to run in the elections. This is in favor of both democracy and citizens, being given the right to make their own choice. We expect for the elections to be conducted in the best possible manner, as appropriate for a 20-year-old democracy. All announcements for intimidation, obstructions and violence should be condemned. Therefore, I call on all citizens of Macedonia to contribute to this election process so that they are organized in the best possible manner, since this is one of the prerequisites for EU positive report on the country – President Ivanov stated today.
Responding to a journalist’s question, the President indicated that he expected the decision for participation in the elections to be made even during the leaders’ meetings.
Commenting the information that the Cabinet of the former President Branko Crvenkovski paid over EUR 530,000 to a communication management company “Pristop MK” for the organization of 2008 Ohrid Heads of States Summit, Ivanov said that the relevant institutions should act in line with their authorities.
During his visit to Kamenica, President Ivanov planted a tree in the mine Sasa, thus supported the mass action Tree Day.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today visited the lead and zinc mine “Sasa” in Makedononska Kamenica. President  Ivanov, accompanied by the Mayor of Makedonska Kamenica, Darko Mitevski, attended the video-presentation on the current achievements and prospects of the largest Macedonian lead and zinc mine.

The Director for Investments and Development of “Sasa”, Maksim Pohorov, briefed the President on the production and technological process, on the development plans and investment activity of the concessionaire – the Russian Company “Solvej”.

President Ivanov, within the seventh action “Tree Day – Spring 2011”, today planted a tree in the mine Sasa.

Under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, a Conference was held in Kocani on geothermal waters “Geothermal Energy in the Republic of Macedonia - Kocani Depression” with participation of professors - scientists from the Universities “Cyril and Methodius” and “Goce Delchev”. President Ivanov, addressing the present said that the Republic of Macedonia is located in one of the 19 geothermal regions on the planet, a favorable circumstance that many other states do not have.
- In Macedonia there are over 25 natural sources of geothermal waters registered with temperatures exceeding 21˚C. Out of these, 18 sites are known as thermal spa centers, the waters of which are used rationally for various purposes. The geothermal potential of the Republic of Macedonia is more and more interesting for utilization in the production of electricity. So far, worldwide, only five percents of the geothermal potential is used or 10,700 megawatt-hours of the possible 67,000 giga watt-hours. According to the Strategy for utilization of renewable energy sources in the Republic of Macedonia, by 2020, 400 to 440 giga watt-hours of electricity should be produced of the geothermal waters, said President Ivanov.

President Ivanov, speaking of the potentials of the geothermal energy said that he encourages businessmen and mayors to be inventive, to invest and be the first to conquer this market offered by the alternative tourism.
During the Conference, the book “Geothermal Energy in Macedonia - Kocani Depression" was promoted, which includes scientific papers by professor Dr. Todor Delipetrov, professor Dr. Slave Armenski, professor Dr. Risto Fotev, professor Dr. Biljana Angelova and professor Dr. Zoran Panov. The presentation "Geothermal Energy in Macedonia - Kocani Depression" was attended by Macedonian businessmen and investors from abroad, as well as by the Ambassadors of Poland, Austria, Bosnia, Slovenia and the World Bank.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today awarded the Order “September 8th” to Academician Nikola Kljusev, President of the first Expert Government of the Republic of Macedonia for his outstanding contribution in tracing the path of independent, sovereign Republic of Macedonia, its territorial integrity and in the strengthening of its international position and reputation.

Achievement of statehood was no easy process. It required courage, will and commitment. Thanks to the leadership of Nikola Kljusev, the foundations and pillars of independent Macedonia were laid, along with the national currency, Macedonian police and Macedonian army. In a time when a conflict erupted in the region of former Yugoslav Federation, Macedonia managed to enact its independence and territorial sovereignty through peaceful withdrawal of the former Yugoslav Army, which was not the case in the other republics, said President Ivanov in his address on the occasion of awarding the recognition to Academician Klusev.

President Ivanov stresses that the Order “September 8th” is an opportunity to thank one of the most significant individuals from the recent Macedonian history, for his contribution in the promotion and affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia as a democratic, sovereign and independent state. The thing that Nikola Kljusev dedicated his life to has been a reality for 20 years now. However, our road does not stop here. What Nikola Kljusev and his contemporaries started must be continued decently. We have to provide prosperity and progress for our people. Macedonia's future lies in its full integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures, which will guarantee our prosperity and accelerate economic development. Despite the unprincipled obstructions on this path, I assure you that we will persevere and achieve our goal, said President Ivanov in presence of many invitees, guests, members of the first and the incumbent Government and members of the family of Nikola Kljusev, who presented the order to his son, Ljudmil Kljusev.


Ljudmil Kljusev extended his gratitude for the recognition and said he is glad that the deeds of his father are continued and that the road he traced is followed. He recalled the early years when, as he said, the skeleton of Macedonian state policy was being established. Addressing the present ministers of the transitional government, he stressed that they, as members of the reforming government, have made the Macedonian Perestroika. You adopted the Macedonian Constitution, introduced the Macedonian currency, you went out on September 8th in Skopje, of course with him, and sang the Macedonian anthem, opened the champagne. In those days in Macedonia, when there was the federal government of Yugoslavia, it was not easy for Kljusev to say no and goodbye to the army. He, along with his fellow citizen and childhood friend, the Minister of Interior, Jordan Mijalkov, went into the barracks of the Yugoslav Army, seized the documents and urged Macedonian sons to fight for Macedonia. Brave men are needed for this... said Ljudmil Kljusev, who spoke about his father’s engagement as Minister of Defence and for his efforts in the economic sphere.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today organized a meeting with the President of VMRO-DPMNE Nikola Gruevski, the President of SDSM Branko Crvenkovski, the President of DUI, Ali Ahmeti and the President of New Democracy Imer Selmani.

The purpose of summoning this meeting was continuation of political dialogue and discussion on early parliamentary elections, which will enable citizens to vote for a wide range of political options. President Ivanov believes this is a period in which leaders of political parties should give their full contribution in this direction.

Leaders agreed the electoral list to be cleaned within 30 days, two representatives from the position, two representatives from the opposition and one member of the administration to form the electoral boards, being the two demands of SDSM, while New Democracy demanded redefining of the borders of the sixth election district, the number of voters of which goes far beyond the legally approved 5% compared to the other election districts.


The President of VMRO – DPMNE Nikola Gruevski, after the meeting stated that SDSM’s demands are accepted conditionally, which would be fully implemented if the elections are not boycotted. Today’s meeting was focused on the four demands which were assessed by SDSM as more important and we accepted two of them conditionally. Conditionally, if SDSM does not boycott the elections, but if they do so, we will not accept them since we have serious counter-arguments, Gruevski said.


The President of SDSM Branko Crvenkovski said they insist the four demands to be met, including the adoption of a law on equal distribution of the means for public campaigns and unblocking of the accounts of A1 TV. We are not returning to the Parliament absolutely as long as all the conditions are met and an agreement is reached and there is consensus over the electoral rules. If the necessary conditions are not accepted for fair and democratic elections the decision remains and we will boycott the Parliament, said Crvenkovski.



The representatives of the Albanian parties assessed the meeting as productive and expressed their expectation that the positive atmosphere shall result in more concrete decisions. I think that this was a productive and constructive meeting. All stakeholders expressed their positions in view of reaching mutually acceptable solution, said Ali Ahmeti, President of DUI. My contribution was in view of drafting a good law that would guarantee fair, democratic and transparent elections, said Imer Selmani, President of New Democracy.