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 was attended by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and his spouse, Ms. Maja Ivanova, as well as students from the elementary school "Naum Ohridski" in village Bulachani and Creshovo, Skopje, and children from the kindergarden "13 November" and "8 March" from Skopje and the ballet school "Ballfrogs" from Skopje.

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.

On the occasion of the World Science Day, today, in the People's Office of the President of the Republic of Macedonia in Skopje, for the second time, an exhibition was held of innovative projects and exhibits of young scientists, organized by the Association for Technical Culture of the Republic of Macedonia – Narodna Tehnika and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, visited the exhibition "Youth Science", which will be open during the day and congratulated the young innovators for the awards and achievements and encouraged them to continue with even stronger enthusiastic spirit in the creation of inventions and innovations. Moreover, congratulating the World Science Day, President Ivanov praised such initiatives, said that the promotion of educational and professional potential in our country is extremely important, because only educated personnel can implement applicable scientific research, which is necessary to ensure economic development and overall social progress in the country.

"The projects we have the opportunity to see today here in the People's Office, speak for the high educational and applicable level, as well as for the wide range of knowledge about new technologies of young researchers. We are proud of this potential we have as a society and I urge everyone not to forget our obligation to support young people always in their creative work", President Ivanov said.

The President of Narodna Tehnika, prof. Hristina Spasevska, expressed gratitude to President Ivanov for his continuous support of the activities and events aimed at promoting science among young people.

The Dean of FAIT, Mile Stankovksi, expressed his hope that the exhibition would be an incentive for those who want to engage in science, to be part of science, to continue theri higher education at the technical or natural science faculties.

"Our Faculty is engaged in most research projects in which faculty staff and young scientists participate - professors, PhD candidates and many students. Our student received golden medal and two plaques of MAKINOVA this year for his graduate work project", Stankovksi said.

The President of SPATUM - Association of Inventors and Authors of Technical Improvements of Macedonia and prof at the FAIT Faculty, Vlatko Stoilkov, said that the numerous patents of young scientists is a confirmation that Macedonia has great innovative potential.

"We are quite talented nation per capita. There are many patents, inventions, we participate in many international events where we receive prestigious awards. The number is constantly growing, although there are administrative barriers related to finances and timelines. It is a barrier that innovators hardly avoid. But if there is a link between the institutions - the State Institute for Protection of Industrial Property and the companies, I think we are moving in the right direction", Stoilkov said.

The exhibition presented more than 43 projects of students from primary and secondary schools from 12 cities in the Republic of Macedonia that have received awards at national competitions for young researchers, organized by Narodna Tehnika and rewarded innovative projects by MAKINOVA and ECONOVA 2013. The exhibition also presented the best projects of student from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT), and there was a meeting held between primary and high school students with faculty students, where opinions and experiences were exchanged, and contacts were established for future joint projects cooperation.

President Ivanov's People's Office remains open to all initiatives and events aimed at enabling young people to develop their creative and artistic potential, to compete and achieve success.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, visited today the municipalities of Gevgelija and Dojran.

As part of the visit to Gevgelija, the Macedonian President attended a reception, organized on the occasion of November 7th, the Day of the municipality of Gevgelija and visited the company for production and trade with agricultural products "Badzo"-Bogdanci, as well as the Tehnoalat-HINA company that deals with fruit and vegetable procession and canning.

President Ivanov was informed about the activities of these companies and discussed about the current issues and challenges faced by the companies in agriculture manufacturing sector.

During his visit to Dojran, President Ivanov attended the presentation on the investment opportunities of this municipality.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today Mr. Tang Limin, Director of China's Sichuan provincial Development and Reform Commission.

At the meeting with the Chinese delegation led by Mr. Limin, President Ivanov welcomed the interest of the Chinese province to cooperate with the Republic of Macedonia and reaffirmed Republic of Macedonia's readiness to intensify economic cooperation and to increase foreign trade with the PRC, aimed at strengthening of traditionally good and friendly relations and deepening of mutual trust.

"We are particularly pleased that during my visit to PR China it was mutually concluded that the relations and cooperation between the two countries have never been at a higher level. We are particularly pleased that there are great potentials and opportunities for further deepening of economic cooperation. The first step is certainly through direct communication between the business sectors. Your visit exactly confirms that", President Ivanov said at the meeting with the Chinese delegation.

The meeting discussed the recent visit of President Ivanov to the People's Republic of China, where the Macedonian President in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, visited several Chinese companies. Hence, the Macedonian President expressed satisfaction with the realized visit, and with the new meeting with Mr. Limin.

The Director of the Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission thanked for the meeting and the hospitality of President Ivanov and confirmed the interest of the Chinese companies to invest in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as interest in partnership with Macedonian companies in joint projects. Director Tang Limin congratulated for the achievements and efforts of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia in creating favorable business environment to attract foreign investors. At the same time, he informed President Ivanov on the planned activities for the coming period.

The sporting and cultural event in the Municipality of Aerodrom marked today the end of the year project "Social and Ethnic Integration through Sport - Sportsmanship", which was implemented under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov.

President Ivanov said that the extremely important project ends with the visit of the municipality of Aerodrom, project in which seven municipalities from different parts of Macedonia had the opportunity to introduce children to coexistence and to learn about diversity.

"Through learning and sport, these young people were taught how to behave in their lives, to respect diversity and visited various ethnic, religious and linguistic environments, made friends and learned how to act in life and in sport - there is competition in sports and we should always congratulate the winner for the success achieved. Young people need always, on the benches and in the field, know how to behave. It is an investment in the future, because children make friendships and learn about the challenges they will face in life", President Ivanov said.

US Ambassador Paul Wohlers said it is appreciated if children are taught of sportsmanship, to work together as a team, regardless of where they come from, from which community, nationality or religion.

In the coming years, they will be the ones who will build together the future of Macedonia", Ambassador Wohlers said.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Aerodrom, Ivica Konevski, said that the project aims to encourage children to play sports and, as he said, to remind them of the traditional children's games that are forgotten today.

"Children today play on computers and, indeed, the aim of this event is to make them go out in the streets and play the games of the past, to practice sports, to become strong individuals, to play fair, to be able to cope with victories and loses", the Mayor of Aerodrom said.

Holder of the project is the Association for Development Initiatives - Geostrategic Institute "Global", and despite the municipality of Aerodrom, it involved the municipalities of Kavadarci, Rosoman, Debar, Centar Zupa, Tearce and Valandovo. The project "Sportsmanship" was implemented in partnership of these municipalities and with support the US Embassy in Macedonia.

It aims at promoting sports as a social activity through play, fun and socializing children and young people from different ethnic backgrounds to strengthen interethnic relations.

Asked if he expects a solution on the name issue by the end of December, given the speculation that the two countries are close to a solution, President Ivanov said that he is neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but a realist in terms of the name issue and the possibility of its resolution.

"In my tenure as President, I have never been pessimistic or optimistic; I have always been a realist. Being realistic, we all know Mr. Nimetz's statement, who is best informed on the entire process, thus, I have nothing to add to Mr. Nimetz's statement", President Ivanov said.
Asked whether he would run for a second presidential term, the Macedonian President said that "when the time is right, I will announce my decision to the citizens".

Pertaining to Ahmeti's statement communicated by some media that they will not support him at the presidential elections, President Ivanov replied that he is not informed about that statement of DUI.

Regarding the possibility to pardon the journalist Tomislav Kezharovski, if such a procedure is initiated by the Ministry of Justice, President Ivanov said that he would act according to the laws and the Constitution.

"In this capacity, I have never commented any court decision, not I intend to do so. I respect everything that is in compliance with the laws and the Constitution. I strictly adhere to every procedure that is foreseen in the laws. There is a commission established in my cabinet tasked to consider all related issues and when there is an initiative, it shall bring a decision that I shall accept in accordance with the position of the Ministry of Justice", President Ivanov said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, after the death of Mr. Tadeusz Mazowiecki, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski.

"With profound sadness I received the news of the death of the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, one of the leaders of "Solidarity" and the first democratic prime minister since the fall of communism, Mr. Tadeusz Mazowiecki. Allow me, Mr. President, in this mournful moment for you and for the Polish people, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to extend heartfelt condolences. Mr. Mazowiecki fought the struggle for freedom, democracy, human rights and human dignity beyond his native Poland, advocating for the dignity of states and nations that were making their very first steps towards democracy, including the Republic of Macedonia", is stated in the letter of condolences of President Ivanov to the Polish President Komorowski.

"I would like to assure you, distinguished Mr. President, that in the memories of the people of the Republic of Macedonia, the remembrance of Mr. Mazowiecki will remain engraved as a person, who, in his capacity as Special Representative of the United Nations for human rights, in the 1994 reports, asked the United Nations Security Council for immediate halt of the unfair Greek embargo against the Republic of Macedonia. At the dawn of our independence, Mr. Mazowiecki defended the right of the Macedonian citizens to self-identification and dignity. Please, Mr. President, convey the condolences to the friendly Polish people and to the Mazowiecki family", is stated in the letter of condolences of President Ivanov to the Polish President Komorowski.

After the death of Mazowiecki, President Ivanov today signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Skopje.

Mazowiecki, in the capacity of Special Representative of the United Nations for human rights for the former Yugoslavia countries, promoted a positive attitude towards the Republic of Macedonia in the early years of its independence.

He, in 1994, asked the United Nations Security Council for immediate halt of the Greek embargo against the Republic of Macedonia and compensation of the losses for our country.

In 2002, in an interview with "Utrinski vesnik", Mazowiecki disputed the usage of the provisional reference for the Republic of Macedonia.

The decision Macedonia to be addressed with the reference "FYROM" is simply barbaric. It is simply impossible to have the word "former" in a title. The name cannot be "former republic", it cannot be the case. It does not exist anywhere", Mazowiecki said.

In 2006, Mazowiecki publicly congratulated and thanked the then US President George Bush for the decision to recognize the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia.

"If ten years ago there were no arguments to justify this absurd name, there are even less today! Since Macedonians have proven that they appreciate peace and stability, that they have no ambitions for great state, that they equally treat all its citizens, regardless of their nationality, that they want to cooperate with all neighbors, that they are ready for compromise, that they, though poor, are willing to help the poorer, that they fulfill the agreed. Do they need to prove more", Mazowiecki said in 2006.

In an interview with "Deutsche Welle" in 2012, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, Mazowiecki once again stressed his disagreement with the Greek opposition to Macedonia's constitutional name.

"Even then I realized why they humiliate that small country, denying its right to be called Macedonia. I think the Greeks in this matter are a little bit oversensitive, and the international community in general continues to humiliate Macedonia by agreeing with that artificial name. I disagree with that", Mazowiecki said for "Deutsche Welle" in 2012.

His positive stances regarding Macedonia, Mazowiecki reaffirmed in an interview with Croat "Jutarnji list" in 2012.

"I would also mention Macedonia, which continues to feel the consequences of this unfortunate conflict with Greece over its name. When I was writing my reports I always referred this state with the name Macedonia, but the Greeks regularly protested and asked to use the title "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". For me, the Greek position was a humiliation of that small and young country; it certainly would not be used if a big state was at stake. Such behavior is simply not good", Mazowiecki said in an interview with Croat "Jutarnji list" in 2012.