The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of August 2nd, 2010 - the National Day of the Republic of Macedonia, pardoned 59 convicted persons: complete amnesty for 17 convicted persons, and 42 partial exemptions from further prison sentences serving.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, within the official visit, met with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Doris Leuthard. The relations between Macedonia and Switzerland are very good, without any open issue, especially in the area of economic cooperation, area which can be further improved, assessed Presidents of both countries Leuthard and Ivanov after today’s meeting in the castle Lohn in Kerzac near Bern.
President Ivanov underlined that both countries in continuity contribute to the development of good relations and expressed his gratitude for the assistance that Switzerland provides to Macedonia to meet NATO and EU criteria and thus achieve the strategic priorities.
- The financial and technical assistance provided by Switzerland significantly affects the development of our reforms and the establishment of a multiethnic democracy.  We have excellent bilateral and multilateral relations with Switzerland and we use their experiences concerning the chairmanship of the Council of Europe, said Ivanov.
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Doris Leuthard, underlined that the cooperation between the two countries will continue in future.
-We agreed to further deepen our cooperation, particularly in the field of environment, water-supply and police cooperation. Peaceful and stable Balkan is in the interest of Switzerland and therefore we will continue to support Macedonia in its efforts to become a member of the European Union, said President Leuthard.
Presidet Ivanov stressed that there are many opportunities to increase economic cooperation between the two countries and added that Macedonian Diaspora, which is more than 60,000 people in Switzerland, can be the binding bridge.
- We are proud of our emigrants and we expect them to further enhance the relations between our two countries because when they come in Macedonia they bring a part of Switzerland with them, said Ivanov.
Asked how much the integration process blockade affects Macedonia’s security, President Ivanov said that it does not affects only Macedonia’s security, but it also affects security in the entire region.
- The bilateral problem is blocking the stabilization process of the whole region, while NATO membership blockade by Greece resulted in cancellation of the announced investments in Macedonia, said Ivanov.
Asked for a comment on the problem imposed by Greece concerning the name of Macedonia, the Swiss President Leuthard said that it is not a concern of Switzerland to comment on disputes between two countries.
- Switzerland has always participated in conflict resolution and offers its assistance, but in order Switzerland to be able to do that, one need to apply. So far, no one has submitted an application to us for assistance in the name dispute, said Leuthard and added that she hopes that the frequent bilateral meetings between Macedonian and Greek representatives will be beneficial in finding mutually acceptable solution.
According to her, further postponement of the opening of the Macedonia's negotiations with the EU will demotivate population.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov had a meeting today with Macedonian emigrants in Bern within the two-day official visit to the Swiss Confederation.
President Ivanov urged Macedonian emigrants to invest in Macedonia by establishing Macedonian-Swiss joint ventures and sent them a message that in their fatherland efforts are being made to create favourable business environment.
The President presented all the reforms that were implemented to improve the business climate that helped to rank the country as the third greatest reformer in the world by the World Bank and reiterated that the doors of Macedonia are always open to expatriates who, as he said, should take the advantages offered in the free economic zones.
- You facilitate and contribute the excellent bilateral relations between Macedonia and Switzerland to be further strengthened. Switzerland is a country we have no open issues with which has helped us many times, said President Ivanov, emphasizing that it is necessary to increase the economic cooperation between the two countries.
The emigrants were interested in the manner of Diaspora voting and urged that the capacity of the Agency for Emigration should be strengthened. According to them, only three seats provided for Diaspora MPs in the Parliament are not enough. They were interested in the political divisions in Macedonia, and President Ivanov answered that the country is in process of studying democracy.
- Parties are to divide people and President is to unite people. I do everything to achieve this, but unfortunately we are too much politically divided, said Ivanov, adding that people will not be interested in politics when economy is improved.
According to 2005 data, there are about 65,000 Macedonian emigrants in Switzerland, or about 0.8 % of the total 7.6 million Swiss inhabitants, thus they represent about one percent of the total Swiss population.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today French Europe Minister Pierre Lellouche. There was a discussion at the meeting concerning the cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries which are characterized by regular dynamics. President Ivanov underlined that Macedonia attaches highest possible importance to development of relations and cooperation with France and assessed that the highest level political contacts are crucial and provide a strong positive impulse.
The talks were focused on the Euro-Atlantic priorities of the Republic of Macedonia and the strong determination for full-fledged membership in the European Union and NATO.
President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia has already achieved significant results in the process of EU integration which resulted in visa liberalization for Macedonian citizens and European Commission recommendation for opening of the accession negotiations. The country remains fully focused on the reform processes, and, still, a key priority for the Republic of Macedonia is to receive a date for launching of the accession negotiations with the European Union as soon as possible. To this end is also the maximization of the efforts in finding mutually acceptable solution to the name dispute imposed by the Hellenic Republic, process led under UN auspices.
During the meeting, both interlocutors agreed that despite the good cooperation between the two countries, however, there is a possibility to increase the cooperation in the sphere of economy, because, if all countries move forward, we can count on sustainable, permanent stability and security.

The President of the United States of America Barack Obama sent a letter to the President of the Republic of Macedonia d-r Gjorge Ivanov, in order to express his gratitude for the congratulations Macedonia sent on the occasion of the 4th of July, the Independence Day of the United States. The text of the letter follows -
Dear Mr. President:
As the American people celebrate the 234th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States, I wish to thank you for your kind message of congratulations and well wishes.
The ideals upon which America was built-  democracy, freedom and dignity - remain every bit as relevant today as they were in 1776. It is my hope that these ideals will one day be enjoyed and celebrated by all peoples around the world.
Sincerely
Barack Obama

Distinguished Mr. President,
It was with great sorrow that I learnt about the tragic bus accident, and I feel immense pain for those who lost their lives.
Allow me, Mr. President, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and in my own behalf, to extend my deep condolences to you, to the citizens of the Republic of Albania and to the families of the victims. At these moments of sadness, our prayers are dedicated to you and to the families of the victims.
Please, Mr. President, convey to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in this accident the expressions of my sincere sympathies.