Croatia fully supports Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic path. We are aware of the problem with Greece, it is a bilateral problem, but our position is that because of it, Macedonia cannot endlessly be halted on that path, that everything Macedonia makes has to be evaluated, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ms. Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, said after the meeting with the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Zagreb.

She said that Southeast Europe remains unfinished business of both the EU and NATO because, as she added, this area naturally belongs to the Euro-Atlantic integration.

“We, as Croatia, support in the EU and NATO membership of our neighbors because it is a prerequisite for lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the Southeastern Europe area and it should change its image in the world and become a place of investment and economic growth”, President Grabar Kitarovic said.

Europe, she said, needs a new boost and rejuvenation and thus it is necessary not to block the European perspective of the countries of Southeastern Europe.

“The situation in Greece will further affect the fatigue of the EU enlargement. But the enlargement is a process that will contribute to a stronger EU and rapid economic development. The EU needs a new energy and rejuvenation”, the Croatian President Grabar Kitarovic said.

The Macedonian President Ivanov said that all the help and support we receive from Croatia in our Euro-Atlantic integration is of utmost importance.

"We discussed the issue of NATO membership, how can Macedonia get what it deserves - to become a NATO member-state, for the blockades we have had so far lead to a huge frustration of the population in Macedonia. The expectations we have had with our membership are betrayed and for years we are in the waiting room of the EU and NATO. We expect support from Croatia - Macedonia to get what it deserves”, President Ivanov said.

Regarding the Macedonian-Greek name dispute, the Croatian President said that the EU does not want to import any new problems and wants all potential problems and open issues to be resolved before the accession of the candidate countries to the EU and NATO.

We will, in our part, support any initiative that would lead to a decision because the fatigue that has occurred in Macedonia appears elsewhere in Southeastern Europe. We want it to be resolved. I encourage Greece to make every effort necessary in this moment to overcome the problem and find a solution”, Grabar-Kitarovic said.

President Ivanov said at the press conference in Zagreb when asked about yesterday’s referendum in Greece that he expects the situation in Greece to stabilize, because all countries in the region are inter-related and that the situation of one country affects another.

“We wish a solution is found and finally the Greek people start living a normal life”, President Ivanov Said.

The National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia, as he said, is ready and has all the possible scenarios how to deal with the challenges of the recent developments in Greece.

“Some of those measures have already been taken and there is no danger the banks in Macedonia to be threatened, as they are protected”, he added.

The Croatian President Grabar - Kitarovic expressed concern that the situation in Greece will further affect the mood of the European citizens and of the enlargement.

“It is therefore crucial to insist the process to continue at political level, at the level of heads of state, at the European Commission level. We must not allow the erosion of the European ideas of openness of the free market because there are problems in certain parts of Europe”, President Grabar Kitarovic said.

Within the official visit to the Republic of Croatia, President Ivanov met with the President of the Croatian Parliament, Mr. Josip Leko, and laid a wreath at the “Wall of Pain” in Zagreb.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the President of the Football Federation of Macedonia, Mr. Ilco Gjorgjioski.

The occasion for the meeting was the given trust by UEFA, Skopje and the National Arena "Philip II" to host the 2017 European Super Cup. The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, stressed the importance of the given trust by UEFA and congratulated the President of the FFM for the efforts and the promotion of the Republic of Macedonia worldwide. The President of the FFM, Ilco Gjorgjioski, said that it is a great honor for the Macedonian football to be given the historical role in building the image of the Republic of Macedonia abroad.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, this evening in Skopje attended the traditional Iftar dinner organized by the Macedonian - Turkish Chamber MATTO.

Addressing the present public and political life representatives, diplomats, businessmen and representatives of civil society associations and organizations, President Ivanov said that the Ramadan fasting marks the spirit of the centuries-old tradition of Islam in the Republic of Macedonia.

"I am glad that today I am attending this Iftar dinner organized by MATTO, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia and Turkey which, as an organization, represents an economic and cultural bridge between Macedonia and Turkey. The successful economic cooperation is exactly an expression of current needs, but is also a reflection of the traditional relations, mutual respect and friendship. The Macedonian tradition, on the other hand, is based on the experience of our multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual society that has enabled peaceful coexistence among all religions in our region for centuries. A tradition which has created solid friendships among people of different religions. A tradition which is our great achievement that we are proud of", President Ivanov said in his address.

"Ramadan is the month in which we do not think only of ourselves and our needs, but of others, of our neighbors, relatives and friends.

In these times of celebration, I wish all Muslim believers to be blessed with feelings of peace, love and mutual understanding. May the values that bring together and connect prevail and not those that divide peoples and nations.

Once again, I congratulate you and all Muslim believers in the Republic of Macedonia the Ramadan fast," President Ivanov said in his address at the dinner.

Within the three-day Security Forum GLOBSEC 2015 held in Bratislava, the Slovak Republic, President Ivanov held several bilateral meetings and participated in the panel discussions with general impression that Macedonia faces injustice regarding the start of negotiations for EU and NATO membership.

- Macedonia suffers from the European Council’s indecisiveness and lack of policies that give results, and therefore said, everyone is aware that something must be changed and Macedonia receives a date to start negotiations for EU membership.

At the meetings, President Ivanov briefed his interlocutors with the current situation in the country.

- Besides the weaknesses in the functioning of our democracy, a big reason is the obstacle Macedonia faces in the European integration and NATO which creates frustration and affects the political culture. Macedonia must be boosted to move forward in NATO and the EU integration, as the behavior of one member-state in the EU and NATO creates a security vacuum in our region, which is now filled by the global actors, President Ivanov said rounding his participation at the GLOBSEC 2015.

Discussing the security situation in the country, President Ivanov stressed the readiness of our Army and said that our Army has been tested the most for NATO and beyond, with 16 Membership Action Plans, with 24 rotations in Iraq, 19 in Afghanistan, which proves, as Ivanov said, that our soldiers are at the same rank or even more prepared than some members of the Alliance. It, as underlined by President Ivanov, creates great obligations but no privileges.

- We need to be under that security umbrella, where all countries from the region know how to protect from the big challenges. A lesson for our politicians is to be aware of the environment and the challenges occurring in the Middle East, the Caucasus and the overall Balkans, which for the European politicians is the Bermuda triangle, President Ivanov said.

As for the EU policies, according to President Ivanov, the only successful policy is the enlargement policy, and if it fails, the future of the EU itself is in question.

During the forum, President Ivanov met with the US Senator John McCain. The meeting reaffirmed the common interest in further strengthening of the strategic partnership between the Republic of Macedonia and the United States. EU and NATO integration, stressed President Ivanov remains a strategic priority for the Republic of Macedonia, and in that direction thanked for the US support for the country’s aspirations for NATO membership, expressing at the same time expectation for its further strengthening.

Senator McCain expressed support for the Republic of Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integrations and reiterated support that the citizens are to decide on naming their country.

The internal political situation in Macedonia in view of resolving the crisis and the future activities that the OSCE intends to carry out through its Mission in Skopje were some of the topics President Ivanov and the OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, discussed.

President Ivanov said that the lack of trust between intelligence and police services in the region and the insufficient exchange of intelligence on threats are fundamental elements for the regional security instability.

Zannier expressed support for the initiative of President Ivanov for establishing a regional counter-terrorism center to threats of violent extremism and radicalism and the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, as well as for programs for de-radicalization and counter-radicalization. He expressed readiness to support activities and programs for training and education for strengthening the capacity of the law enforcement bodies in Macedonia to fight forms of transnational organized crime with an emphasis on combating illegal migration and organized crime networks.

President Ivanov, during his participation of the Global Security Forum GLOBSEC 2015 in Bratislava, addressed the session “Balkan Chessboard: Europe Whole and Free at Stake”.

“It is time to use the right words to describe the situation. The Republic of Macedonia is the victim of indecision of the European Council, of the decisions of some who did not think of the consequences thereof. Current conditions largely result of excessive holding of Macedonia in the waiting room. I am not looking for an alibi for the situation in our country, we have guilt as well, said President Ivanov at the session “Balkan Chessboard: Europe Whole and Free at Stake”, which ended late last evening, within the Security Forum held in Bratislava.

President Ivanov reminded that the Republic of Macedonia has received six positive recommendations for EU membership, and with 16 NATO Membership Action Plans, as he said, the Macedonian Army is tested the most in the human history.

“In times of crisis and such conditions, there has to be an alternative model of making decisions. There is a lack of solidarity in terms of support for integration of the region, a lack of cooperation and trust between the security services in the region. The overall trust built for years, because of the absence of cooperation of Kosovo, and of other services as well, is at stake”, President Ivanov said, among the other things.

During the participation at the Global Security Forum, President Ivanov, in Bratislava, met with the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski.

At the meeting, they exchanged views and information on the current political and economic situation in both countries, as well as on the overall political and security situation in the region, including the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the support from the Republic of Poland in the implementation of the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia for membership in the European Union and NATO. The Republic of Macedonia and its citizens highly appreciate your personal support and the support of Poland, President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Miroslav Lajcak, and concluded that the bilateral relations between Macedonia and Slovakia are excellent.

President Ivanov briefed at the meeting on the political and security situation in the Republic of Macedonia, and they exchanged views on the general situation in the region of Southeastern Europe, and on the Euro-Atlantic integration processes.

Minister Lajcak stressed that Slovakia is well aware of the consequences of the too long status quo in the integration and that, as before, the Republic of Macedonia can count on the support of his country.