The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in the Villa Biljana in Ohrid the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Ernesto Massimino Bellelli for a farewell meeting.

The Macedonian President thanked Ambassador Bellelli for his overall engagement and contribution to the promotion of bilateral relations between the two countries and wished him success in his further career.

Both interlocutors expressed their satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as their expectation that the Republic of Macedonia and the Italian Republic will continue developing their cooperation in all areas of common interest. "Next year, the Republic of Macedonia will host the Brdo – Brijuni Process, whereas the Italian Republic will host the Summit of Heads of Government of the Brdo – Brijuni countries, as a continuation of the Berlin Process – meaning that we will need to continue the dialogue and coordination at all levels in order to ensure synergy of the two events", stated President Ivanov.

President Ivanov expressed his satisfaction with the successful realization of the official visit to the Italian Republic and an expectation that the positive trend in terms of political dialogue will also reflect on the economic relations between the two countries, in the sense of their improvement and promotion.

Ambassador Bellelli expressed his gratitude for the overall cooperation with Macedonian institutions and underlined that the Italian Republic will continue to support the EU and NATO integration process of the Republic of Macedonia, while working on further promotion and development of economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

At the meeting, the two interlocutors exchanged opinions on current developments in the region and Europe, security challenges, the migration crisis, as well as the challenges that the EU is facing.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in the Villa Biljana in Ohrid the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Martin Bezak

At the meeting, the President of the Republic of Macedonia was briefed about the priorities and challenges of the Slovak Republic as the current presidency of the Council of the European Union, as well as about the perspectives and possibilities for the Republic of Macedonia as regards its Euro-integration process in the forthcoming period.

Ambassador Bezak emphasized that the Slovak republic will insist on fully realizing the priorities of their presidency and that, as regards the Western Balkan countries, it will advocate a continuation of the enlargement policy and establishment of a sustainable migration and asylum policy.

Noting that the Slovak presidency comes at possibly one of the most complex and challenging periods for both the EU and Europe as a whole, President Ivanov wished the Ambassador every success and underlined that the Republic of Macedonia will continue to be a constructive partner of the European Union and of the Slovak presidency, especially in terms of facing the challenges that lie ahead.

The Macedonian President expressed his expectation that the Slovak Republic, as an established friend and partner of the Republic of Macedonia, will invest further efforts and support in order to make a step forward in terms of European integration, stating that it is of crucial importance for the Republic of Macedonia to open negotiations for accession to the European Union. That would contribute – President Ivanov said - to maintain the credibility of the enlargement policy, but at the same time, it would represent a positive impulse for consolidation and stability of the internal political situation in the Republic of Macedonia, drawing the focus of all social and political stakeholders to reform issues. Status quo, on the other hand, has a completely opposite effect - stated President Ivanov at the meeting.

Both interlocutors exchanged opinions and information regarding the key challenges that the EU has been facing, such as security threats, the refugee crisis and the declining trust of people in the EU.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in the Villa Biljana in Ohrid the star opera singer from Latvia, Ms. Elina Garanca, a world renown mezzo-soprano and the Austrian conductor, Maestro Ion Marin, opening acts for tomorrow night's opening ceremony of the 56th Ohrid Summer Festival.

President Ivanov welcomed the artists and the organizers of the festival, expressing his expectation that their performance will leave a particular mark at this year's Ohrid Summer Festival.

The festival organizers informed President Ivanov about the festival programme and events, underlining that Macedonia and Ohrid will host around 800 artists, performers and authors from 18 countries.

The Macedonian President emphasized the fact that Ohrid Summer festival is one of the most successful annual events in the Republic of Macedonia, and a forum for presentation of the most important global cultural endeavors to the Macedonian public, at the same time promoting Macedonian art, culture and tradition around the world.

Ohrid Summer Festival is a traditional annual event held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Macedonia. At the opening ceremony of the 56th edition of the festival, Ms. Elina Garanca and Mr. Ion Marin will perform accompanied by the Macedonian Opera and ballet Orchestra.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov attended the opening ceremony of the Demir Hisar Cultural Summer 2016, held within the frame of the marking of 1100 years since the passing of St. Clement of Ohrid. The event took place in the "St. Jovan Pretecha" Monastery in the village of Slepche.

The event featured a number of culture and art performances, theatre plays, poetic readings, folklore performances, choirs and a tribute to St. Clement at the 1100 anniversary of his passing.

The Macedonian President also attended the liturgy held in Slepche Monastery, on the occasion of Ivanden – the birth day of St. John the Baptist.

The 1100 year anniversary since the passing of St. Clement of Ohrid will be marked with a rich programme of activities and cultural events. Together with the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU) and the University St. Clement of Ohrid from Bitola, President Ivanov is the patron of these events dedicated to the life and work of this great Macedonian teacher.