The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today received representatives of the Association of veterans of NOAVM on the occasion of October 11th – the Day of the armed uprising in the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, the importance of this holiday, which is a cornerstone in the history of our country, was discussed.

President Ivanov, congratulating the representatives of the Association of veterans of NOAVM the great holiday, stressed the importance that we should always remember the genuine ideas contained in the Human Rights Declaration, which was adopted at the ASNOM Assembly. With those provisions, Macedonia has shown that it belongs to the community of free, sovereign and democratic countries and that our membership in NATO and the EU will be the crown on the long road of our nation, President Ivanov stressed.

Expressing gratitude for the meeting, the representatives of the Association of veterans of NOAVM stated that the October 11 celebration is yet another opportunity to remember and thank all the heroes who, without hesitation, gave their lives for the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia so that they can live today freely and build their future and prosperity.

The interlocutors also noted that October 11 should be an incentive for current and future generations to continue on the same path, building the Republic of Macedonia as an equal member of the big global family of nations and peoples, as a country in which there is security, solidarity, justice and good interpersonal relations.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov paid today a working visit to the Italian Republic. In Rome, President Ivanov met the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, the President of the Italian Senate Renato Schifani and the Prosecutor General of the Appellate Court – Rome, Luigi Camponi.

President Ivanov requested President Napolitano to initiate application of Croatian-Slovenian experiences in the Macedonian-Greek name dispute. "I told President Napolitano that a positive atmosphere has been created recently and that the restoration of trust between Macedonia and Greece paves the way towards finding a mutually acceptable solution", President Ivanov stated after meeting the Italian President. In this context, President Ivanov underlined, was the request conveyed to Napolitano to initiate application of Croatian-Slovenian experiences in our case so that these two processes – the EU integration and finding a solution to the bilateral issue - are conducted simultaneously. At the meeting, both Presidents also discussed ways to strengthen the Macedonian-Italian political dialogue and the situation in Macedonia and the region.

Macedonia considers Italy as sincere friend and supporter of EU and NATO integration, the President of the Italian Senate Renato Schifani told Macedonian President at their meeting today. He praised Macedonia for its role in the region as well as for the reforms implemented in meeting its strategic goals. Extending gratitude for the strong support of EU integration processes, President Ivanov informed the President of the Italian Senate on the ongoing developments in the UN-led process on the differences concerning the name with Greece. Both interlocutors at the meeting concluded that parliamentary cooperation would be further developed in the frames of overall cooperation.

President Ivanov met Luigi Campoli, Prosecutor General of the Appellate Court – Rome. Upon an invitation of the Macedonian President, Luigi Camponi will visit Macedonia with a purpose to establish cooperation with the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors and with the Public Prosecution Office of the Republic of Macedonia, due to the fact that the reforms in Macedonia’s judiciary are based exactly on the Italian experience.

On the occasion of the National Day of the Federal Republic of Germany, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation letter to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christian Wulff.

Dear Mr. President,

On the occasion of the National Day of the Federal Republic of Germany, it gives me special honor and satisfaction, on behalf of the people of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to extend cordial greetings and sincere wishes for prosperity of your country and welfare of the friendly German people.

Let me use this solemn occasion to express my confidence that the relations and cooperation between our two countries in future will also be marked with positive developments in all spheres of mutual interest.

I avail myself of this opportunity to extend my gratitude for the support for the Republic of Macedonia in the process of its integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Having in mind the joint efforts and visions of a united, democratic and prosperous Europe, I am convinced that the support from the Federal Republic of Germany will be present in the period ahead.

With most sincere wishes for further successful work, good health and personal happiness, please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today a delegation of the Special Olympics Macedonia, which participated at the European Special Olympics Summer Games, in the period 18 – 24 September in Warsaw, Poland.

The meeting was organized on the occasion of the recent European Olympic Games where Macedonian athletes participated and had excellent performance and achieved great success by winning 4 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals in several different sport disciplines: athletics, badminton and table-tennis.

At the meeting, President Ivanov conveyed his high respect for the work of the Special Olympics Macedonia stating that he personally supports the activities related to persons with disabilities. The sport is one of the most successful ways of integration and socialization of people with disabilities. Thus the activities of the Special Olympics and the participation at international sports events are of particular importance. Owing to the achievements of the Special Olympics Macedonia athletes, our country and our culture is promoted, said Ivanov.

The representatives of the Special Olympics briefed President Ivanov on the permanent successful results achieved at international competitions. They also informed on the events that will follow, primarily the World Summer Olympics, to be held next summer in Greece.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the International Day of Bosniaks, sent the following congratulation letter to the members of the Bosniak ethnic community in the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected members of the Bosniak ethnic community,

I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate you, on my personal behalf and on behalf of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, the International Day of Bosniaks, September 28th.

The historical presence of the Bosniak community in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as Bosniaks’ daily contribution in all spheres of life, represent a significant segment in the physiognomy of the Republic of Macedonia as a multiethnic society, where tolerance and dialogue, as universal values, have long-standing tradition.

As a country, we remain committed to enabling development and enhancement of the Bosniak culture and tradition, as well as of all other cultures and traditions in the Republic of Macedonia. We are committed to the goal of all our citizens, Bosniaks and members of all other ethnic communities in Macedonia so that they can see Macedonia as a place where they can personally prosper and succeed. On this day, we can say that jointly we pave the path for our future generations to the future of prosperity and peace.

Congratulations on your holiday.

Macedonian President, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in New York, took part and addressed the participants of the annual Balkan Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Federation of Balkan-American Associations (FEBA).
- Nowadays, all Balkan countries have democratically elected governments and we all need peace, which I call Pax Europeana. It is only the open space that creates people with an open mind. The open space creates single market. Today, this is possible only in the European Union, the European Union can open the space in the Balkans, so that people begin to think about future generations, to ensure peace. Peace is indispensable in the Balkans. Only the European idea can provide our peace - President Ivanov said.
He also stated that the presence of businessmen from the Balkans at this Forum indicates that people who have their own interest know how to achieve it, the Balkans to have a new infrastructure, new communications, open space where all problems would be solved through dialogue.