The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov in New York had a bilateral meeting with the Hungarian President, Pal Schmitt. At the meeting, President Schmitt expressed strong support for Macedonia's integration into the EU, prior the Hungarian EU Presidency.

Ivanov stressed that setting a date and opening of the EU accession negotiations is extremely important for Macedonia. In this regard, he asked for support from Hungary. Schmitt announced that he is prepared to be the flag runner for Macedonia in the EU.

At the meeting, the two Presidents discussed the role of the Republic of Macedonia and the importance of its EU integration to the regional stability. According to Schmitt, Hungary, concerning the integration was guided by the principle that bilateral issues should not be an obstacle for the integration of the countries from the region. Schmitt emphasized his strong personal support for Croatia's membership in the EU and Hungary's support for integration of the other countries from the region, stressing that it is time for Macedonia to continue with this process.

President Schmitt expressed interest and highly valued the ethnic community integration model. The enhanced cooperation of Macedonia with the regional organizations such as the Danube Initiative and Visegrad Group was also discussed

The Head of Macedonia yesterday in New York had a brief informal meeting with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At the meeting, the German support for Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration was confirmed. It was jointly stated that the bilateral relations between the two countries are excellent. Ivanov and Merkel discussed the opportunities to deepen the trade exchange.

President Ivanov, on the margins of the Clinton Global Initiative Summit, had informal meetings with the host Bill Clinton, the former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Israeli President Shimon Peres, the Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, the President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu, the President of the Bosnian Presidency Haris Silajdzic and with the Bulgarian Prime Minister Bojko Borisov.

Initiated by President Ivanov, a joint meeting was held with representatives of Macedonian Diaspora and the National American-Albanian Council. The President stated that he expects such joint meetings of the representatives of the Macedonian and Albanian Diaspora to become practice.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov in New York met with the United Nations Mediator in talks to overcome the dispute that the Hellenic Republic imposes about Macedonia's name.
- There is an increased feeling of confidence that the problem can be solved through dialogue at the highest level, among the leaderships of the two countries. This is a very positive development. I feel that the parties now talk among themselves about issues we can see some expectations and it is possible to find a solution to this problem, Ambassador Matthew Nimetz said after the meeting.
The Macedonian representative in the name talks, Ambassador Zoran Jolevski said that President Ivanov briefed Nimetz on the position of the Republic of Macedonia, thus stating the determination and commitment of the country on finding a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible, a solution that will protect the dignity of the Macedonian citizens.
Asked whether the level of trust is sufficient for both parties to find a solution by November or December, Nimetz replied that he would not speculate, because, according to him, imposed deadlines are never good for such negotiations.
- Imposed deadlines create false expectations and unnecessary disappointments if they are missed and therefore I would not talk about deadlines. I would say that working on this issue for many years, I think from 1994, surely I see a dialogue that gives me a realistic expectation that the problem, at this point, may be mutually resolved with a decision that both sides would feel they have achieved the national goals and protect the national pride on both parties, the Mediator said.
He said that he did not come out with a new proposal at the meeting and that the course of the process was discussed.
- I will not provide any new proposals. Over the years I gave suggestions to the parties. They were never entirely satisfactory, but for some of the ideas I think it was worth discussing them, so I feel positive in that direction. Let the process continue and see how it develops - Nimetz said.

On the occasion of the holiday Yom Kippur, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent the following congratulation letter to Mrs. Bjanca Subotic, President of the Macedonian Jewish Community, and to all members of the Jewish community in Macedonia.

Dear all,
I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate you the great holiday Yom Kippur, on my personal behalf and on behalf of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. I hope that this holy period in the year would bring you peace, love and happiness, and that you would celebrate the blessings of this holiday amongst your beloved ones.
The days devoted to fasting and revival of the tradition, especially in light of the challenges born by today's lifestyle, are extremely important to preserve the sense of spiritual peace, but also as an opportunity to move forward into the future with the experience gained by numerous generations before us. The harmonious blend of past and future that is so strongly felt in the days devoted to God is important for each of us individually, but also for the strength of our communities and society in general.
The Republic of Macedonia feels grateful for the richness of the religious and ethnic traditions of its citizens, among which particularly important is the contribution of the Jewish community. We are proud of the opportunity to congratulate you the holiday Yom Kippur, and to celebrate it with you, as it befits our tradition of acceptance and cooperation.
Once again, may we celebrate this holiday for ages.

Dear students, distinguished professors, dear friends,

It gives me great honor to greet you all at the beginning of the academic year 2010/2011. The pleasure is even greater that this ceremony is organized by the first state university in the Republic of Macedonia, the university where I used to work that bears the name of the great Slavic educators, the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius.

Even today, after twelve centuries, their work is an inspiration to us all. They defended the right of every nation to believe, to learn and study in its own language.

Once upon a time, the fight was the education to be in everyone’s mother tongue, while today, the struggle is the education to be accessible to all.

Universities all around the world are a basis for development of the entire society and therefore it is necessary the universities to be continuously improved in line with the societal needs.

By accepting the 1999 Bologna Declaration almost all countries in Europe have acceded to establish a common ground for higher education system. This synchronized activity of the European countries is known as the Bologna process.

The objective of this process is to establish a single European higher education space, which shall ensure identification and recognition of educational profiles and curricula across Europe. This shall enable an undisturbed promotion of the national educational institutions on the European market. It shall also ensure quality, establish three levels of study, provide European credit transfer system and allow mobility of students.

Many of your fellow students from previous generations already enjoy in the benefits of the established European standards of higher education in our country. You will find our students today in universities throughout Europe where they continue and advance in their higher education.

Macedonia, through the higher education is already part of the European open educational space. With the reforms that are being implemented, the European educational values become our values.

Dear all,

Today, education opens the doors to knowledge, knowledge that, when found in the right hands - in your hands, can produce real values. Therefore, this year, the practical training for students is introduced. A training that will contribute to increase the quality of skills acquired through the higher education.

I am confident that this joint venture for the Macedonian students, this public-private partnership, universities, institutions and enterprises will provide concrete results. This partnership gives us the opportunity to create a sense of unity, of shared responsibility. Together, we close the circle of social responsibility and commitment. And in the core of our partnership are exactly you, the students.

Dear attendees,

Today's event is held in the hall that bears the name of the late President Boris Trajkovski. Therefore, it is right from here that I want to announce that this year I will grant thirty "Boris Trajkovski" scholarships for the best students enrolled in the graduate, post-graduate and business master studies. These scholarships will be awarded together with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Macedonia and the City College of Thessaloniki which is part of the University of Sheffield. This joint effort reflects our faith in you, in your ability and your future.

I believe you will all continue to walk the path of progress. I am confident that your future achievements will be crowned with a noble feeling of fullness and pride. Pride as we feel today. Also, I expect from you never to forget your obligation towards Macedonia and the Macedonian society. If you are persistent in your efforts, if you upgrade yourself academically and professionally, if you behave responsibly, then, believe me, your future and the future of Macedonia will be ensured. If you are successful, then Macedonia will be successful too.

Before I conclude, I want you to know that the road that leads to individual and collective success is neither short nor easy. To walk along this road, only the desire for success is not sufficient, but it requires commitment and feeling of responsibility towards you and towards others.

Today, you have made yet another big step towards your own educational promotion. Today you have demonstrated your desire for knowledge. Therefore, we all believe in you. We all believe you will succeed.

I wish all the students at all universities in Macedonia the intellectual curiosity to accompany them in the course of their studies, but also upon the successful completion of this important academic endeavor. I wish all of you to be diligent, honest and sincere. That is how you will succeed both in your studies and in life.

Thank you.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent the following letter to the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, on the occasion of his birthday:
Honorable Mister President,
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on your birthday, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.
At the same time, I would like to use this opportunity to wish you and your family good health and happiness, as well as further success in the execution of your responsible office with wishes for prosperity of your country and welfare of its citizens.
I still have in pleasant memory our recent meetings in Moscow and in St. Petersburg. I am convinced that the cooperation and the relations of friendship between our two countries in the years to come, with a joint commitment, will be successfully developed and deepened in all areas of common interest. We are also obliged to this by the long and rich tradition of Macedonian-Russian relations.
Availing myself of this opportunity, honorable Mister President, I would like to reiterate my gratitude, as well as the gratitude of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia for the support that you personally and your country continuously provide to my country.
Please, honorable Mister President, accept the appreciations of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

On the occasion of the Independence Day, September 8th, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received letters of congratulations from many world heads of states.
In the congratulation letter from the President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy to the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, the visa liberalization for Macedonian citizens traveling to the European Union is welcomed and the following is stated in the letter: I am confident that you will continue the necessary reforms, particularly in the sphere of judiciary and fight against corruption in the spirit of a dialogue and consensus to move into a new stage. France supports Macedonia and is willing to help, which can be seen in the attention dedicated to the bilateral cooperation in the European integration aspirations.
Her Royal Highness, the British Queen Elizabeth II, in her congratulation letter on the occasion of the Independence Day, September 8th, to President Ivanov states: It gives me special honor and pleasure to congratulate you the national holiday, the Independence Day, with most sincere wishes and congratulations for happiness and prosperity of the Government and the people of the Republic of Macedonia.
The President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gul sent his sincere congratulations on the occasion of the Independence Day. I have no doubt that our friendly relations and close cooperation that draw their strength from the historical ties and common values and objectives, in the upcoming period will be further enhanced and diversified. Once again I would like to underline the importance of eliminating bilateral issues from the agendas of regional initiatives and strengthening the climate of Balkan cooperation in the process of integration within the Euro-Atlantic structures and in this respect we support the views of Macedonia – is stated in the congratulation letter of President Gul on the occasion of September 8th.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, on the occasion of September 8th, conveys his most sincere congratulations and wishes for prosperity of our country and its people.
Pal Schmitt, the President of Hungary, in the congratulation letter sent to President Ivanov expresses his special pleasure that in the past years the contacts at the highest level between Macedonia and Hungary have been intensified and adds: In realizing the aspirations of Macedonia to join NATO and the European Union, the Republic of Macedonia as before, and in future can count on my support. I sincerely wish your efforts in fulfilling the projected tasks to be crowned with success as soon as possible.
His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, in the congratulation letter on the occasion of the Republic of Macedonia’s Independence Day, expresses his hope that in future the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries at the highest level will be further strengthened and expanded, for the mutual benefit of our peoples.
The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev sent a congratulation letter to the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the Independence Day stating that he is confident in the further development of the constructive partnership between Kazakhstan and Macedonia based on mutual understanding and friendly relations of our peoples.