At a ceremony today, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, was awarded a Fellowship Certificate of the World Academy of Art and Science. The Certificate was bestowed to the Macedonian President by Prof. Dr. Ivo Shlaus, President of the World Academy of Art and Science.

The Fellowship Certificate of the World Academy of Art and Science is awarded to President Ivanov as recognition of his outstanding scientific and social achievements and constant commitment to the goals for global human welfare, peace and sustainable development.

At the ceremony which was attended by academicians, the President of the World Academy of Art and Science, Dr. Ivo Shlaus, noted that this is recognition to a person who does two important things for the academy and the world.

"The Academy attaches great importance to education, especially to higher education. The world today is, to a great extent, different than 50 or 100 years and therefore we need to be prepared for this world. For this purpose, we need leaders. Professor Ivanov made efforts to develop such leadership and teach young people through case studies how to deal with the problems facing the world", Shlaus stressed.

"President Ivanov is an exceptional scholar and a prominent political leader of his country, contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity and global welfare and development", Prof. Dr. Ivo Shlaus said in his address, adding that the activities and achievements of President Ivanov prove his outstanding credentials for election as Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science and that the Academy will greatly benefit from the activities, ideas and leadership of President Ivanov.

For President Ivanov, it is a great honor and privilege to be a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. The recognition, as he said, is not only personal, but for Macedonian science and for all those who are committed to academic life, and is also an incentive for young people to achieve the unattainable only if they are committed.

"May this be an example for all my younger colleagues, always to have a goal in life and to achieve the things that seem unattainable at young age. Whenever you have a goal, be committed to it, because it is closely followed and valued, President Ivanov said, wishing the World Academy of Art and Science to continue its mission, to unite all minds that will jointly offer the world greater prosperity and well-being of humanity.

The Macedonian President urged that we should invest in the future and in the young leaders who will deal with all the challenges facing the world.

"As a new Fellow of the Academy, I wish all the experience and knowledge that we as a small country, nation and people have mastered to be communicated to others and used as a positive experience so that we can live in a more beautiful and prosperous world filled with happiness and joy", President Ivanov said.

The World Academy of Art and Science is an international, non-governmental scientific organization, global network of members chosen for their outstanding achievements in the field of natural and social sciences, arts and humanities. Members of the World Academy of Art and Science are renowned scientists, artists, heads of research institutes and international organizations, Nobel Prize laureates, business leaders, politicians and statesmen.

In the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, a ceremonial change of the national flag was held.

The Ceremony, despite the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, was attended by students from the elementary schools "May 25", "Kiril Pechinovic" and "Krste Misirkov" from Skopje.

The change of the national flag of the Republic of Macedonia in the Cabinet of the President was traditionally performed by the Guard Unit of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

The ceremony of changing the national flag aims at raising the sense and respect for the flag of the Republic of Macedonia, as a sign and symbol of the statehood of our country.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, held a meeting today with Archduke Karl von Habsburg-Lotringen.

At a ceremony, President Ivanov was decorated by Archduke Karl von Habsburg with the Order of St. George of the House of Habsburg-Lotringen.

The order considers strengthening of cooperation with the countries of Central and Southeastern Europe, as a very important political interest. Especially the smaller countries must receive a strong voice within the European Union as a result of close cooperation in the political and economic areas. St. George order recognizes the Republic of Macedonia as an important part of Europe and advocates for a prompt European integration of the country.

Extending his gratitude for the recognition, President Ivanov, in his speech, said that the Republic of Macedonia will continue the path of European integration and will remain consistent to the European tradition.

"As President of the Republic of Macedonia, my entire tenure, I urge the European Union to remain consistent to the great vision of an open and unified European continent. I consistently advocate for European peace, for Pax Europea. Therefore, this is not only a personal affirmation for me, but a clear recognition of the Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian citizens", President Ivanov said in his speech.

Archduke Karl von Habsburg-Lotringen, in his speech, stressed the development and progress achieved in the Republic of Macedonia in the past years, and the European spirit and enthusiasm that prevail in the Macedonian society.

"It is my great pleasure to have this opportunity to bestow this award to you, Mr. President. Not only that we demonstrate our personal connection between my family and you for many years and the long tradition of friendship with my father, but we certainly acknowledge the political stance you advocate on behalf of your country in the past few years, which, we are confident, you will also represent in the future. We honor the European dimension Macedonia promotes and you represent in a very bold way", Archduke Karl von Habsburg-Lotringen said in his speech at the awarding ceremony.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, yesterday evening, on the sidelines of the 3rd Annual Conference of the Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation in Vienna, held an informal meeting with the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, reiterating that Macedonia's blockade pertaining to the launching of the EU accession negotiations takes too long, and the status quo is frustrating.

The start of negotiations will positively affect the reform process and the general situation in the region, President Ivanov said at the meeting.

"No one would lose anything if Macedonia starts negotiations, on the contrary, the benefit is multi-faceted, the Macedonian President said, stressing the possibility of parallel movement in the integration process and overcoming bilateral differences as a model to be used.

President Ivanov informed the interlocutor at his interest about the UN-led process to overcome the difference over the name.

During the talks, Barroso reaffirmed the commitment of the EC for continuation of the enlargement policy with the Western Balkan countries. The situation in the region was also discussed.

President Ivanov, immediately after the opening of the CGDC Conference, first addressed the participants and the day before, within the working visit to Vienna, had a working meeting with the Austrian counterpart, Heinz Fischer.

"The time is right Macedonia to start accession negotiations with the European Union. Not a single country in the European Union would feel any consequence or setback if negotiations are opened", the President of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Heinz Fischer, said after the meeting with the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Vienna.

Austria, President Fisher stressed, has a clear position on this issue, good arguments to support the process as much as possible.

"Austria is a member and initiator of the Group of Friends who are positive regarding the decision for opening negotiations. It certainly includes mediation and discussion among countries which are in favor of opening negotiations and, for example, Greece and Bulgaria", President Fisher said.

According to him, Austria is ready for dialogue and positive outcome of the dialogue because, as he emphasized, it is a fact that five years in a row the European Commission says that the Republic of Macedonia has met the necessary criteria to start negotiations.

"Meeting necessary criteria does not mean that everything is already perfect, but rather that a certain level is reached and you should continue to build modern society based on the rule of law, fight against corruption", the Austrian President said.

The achievements imply, as he reiterated, that negotiations should start.

The Macedonian President Ivanov stressed that no one would lose if the Republic of Macedonia starts negotiations for EU membership. With that, President Ivanov said, the EU would restore its credibility, precisely with Macedonia's issue.

"Many countries in the Balkans are moving forward, only status quo prevails in the Republic of Macedonia, due to the name issue with Greece. We want to overcome it as soon as possible", President Ivanov said.

At today's meeting, both presidents agreed that the main common goal, interest and direction in which the European Union should move is shared values and policy which would include the Western Balkans in the European community.

The meeting discussed the bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation and economic problems faced by almost all countries in Europe.

Austria, as President Fischer and President Ivanov stated, was and remains a strong supporter of the Republic of Macedonia in every field, in the European integration, as well as in the economic and political context.

President Ivanov is paying today a working visit to the Republic of Austria. Tomorrow, the Macedonian President will attend and address the 3rd Annual Conference of the Center for Global Dialogue and Cooperation.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and his spouse, Ms. Maja Ivanova, in the wake of the Tree Day, planted today trees in the yard of the kindergarten "March 8" in Dračevo.

The Macedonian President continually supports the implementation of the action "Tree Day".

This year's "Tree Day" is under the motto "Plant Health, Plant Healthy Future" and will be implemented tomorrow. 5 million trees are to be planted.