The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today MEPs, members of the group "Friends of Macedonia", Mr. Martin Kastler and Mr. Tunne Kelam.

During the meeting they exchanged views and information on the Republic of Macedonia's European agenda, on the progress achieved in the reform process and the European perspective of the country in the wake of the October Report by the European Commission on the Republic of Macedonia.

The MEPs expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Republic of Macedonia in the key reform areas and stressed the expectation that the Republic of Macedonia will receive a positive report from the European Commission this month. Furthermore, the MEPs expressed hope that the recommendations of the Commission this time will be consistently implemented and reaffirmed the support of the European Parliament for setting a date to start accession negotiations with the European Union.

President Ivanov expressed his appreciation for the continued support of the European Parliament in terms of the European Integration of the Republic of Macedonia and welcomed the engagement and commitment of the group "Friends of Macedonia" in this regard.

Joint conclusion of the meeting was that the Republic of Macedonia too long and unfairly is waiting for a date to start negotiations for EU membership, and that the country is ready to make all necessary efforts to meet the standards for European Union membership.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, along with the US Ambassador, Paul Wohlers, attended today the sports-cultural event which was held in the adapted hall within the elementary school "Kiril Pejchinovikj" in Tearce.

The purpose of the project "Social and Ethnic Integration through Sports – Sportsmanship" is promotion of sports as social activity which, through play, fun and socializing among children and young people from different ethnic backgrounds and strengthening of interethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia.

"The Project "Sportsmanship" continues and affords opportunities for socializing among students from different parts of the country, enabling young people to learn how to act as competitors and as spectators and to apply it in their environments. This is an opportunity for mutual acquaintance of children from different communities because Tearce is an excellent example of coexistence of different ethnic and religious communities, and thus, today we have with us representatives of religious communities, too. Our intention is young people to see the diversity in Macedonia and to learn to respect each other and understand and grow together in a different ambience that will allow mutual communication, friendship and sharing responsibility towards everything we have as a country", President Ivanov said, who is the patron of the project.

Ambassador Wohlers expressed his gratitude to President Ivanov, to the Mayor of Tearce and to the organization "Global" for their dedication to "Sportsmanship".

"According to me, it is a true example of sporting behavior and possibility for young people to work together. The US Embassy is proud to support this great project implemented by "Global" throughout Macedonia, teaching sportsmanship, tolerance and how to work as a team among children and in the state as a whole", Wohlers said.

The Mayor of Tearce, Isen Asani said that he had informed President Ivanov on the situation in the municipality and the problems they face in their work.

"Today's rainy day is another argument that Tearce needs a hall and President Ivanov promised that next year the construction of a sports hall for the residents of the municipality will be launched," said Asani.

Holder of the project is the Association for Development Initiatives - Geostrategic Institute "Global", in partnership with the municipalities involved in the project – Valandovo, Kavadarci, Rosoman, Aerodrom, Debar, Centar Zupa and Tearce.

"The purpose of this action is children, at young age, to learn to compete, to respect the opponent, to play fair and to respect rules, since the rule in sports apply in life, too", the President the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, said today in Debar, where the sports and cultural event, "Sportsmanship", took place, adding that this project is not only educational, but also contributes to the cohesion and mutual respect among children from different backgrounds.

"Debar is a centuries-old example of coexistence and mutual respect for different religions, different ethnic groups. Therefore, through this project, we only reaffirm that tradition. Debar to be a positive example in the future, too, and children from other communities to learn something more about their friends, to do sports and through sports to learn sportsmanship, since these children are competitors, but they also sit in the stands and watch sports matches", President Ivanov said, being the patron of the project.

The Mayor of Debar, also, expressed his satisfaction with the participation in this project.
"Today our guest in Debar is the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and that gives us a great honor. The event has gathered children from seven municipalities within the Republic of Macedonia, and we are honored to spend the day together with the President of the Republic of Macedonia", the Mayor of Debar, Ruzdi Ljata, said.

Initiator of the project is the Association for Development Initiatives - Geostrategic Institute "Global", in partnership with the municipalities involved in the project – Valandovo, Kavadarci, Rosoman, Aerodrom, Debar, Centar Zupa and Tearce .

"The goal of this action is that all stakeholders feel united, starting from the children, to our ultimate authority, the President of the Republic of Macedonia. To overcome our differences on any ground and through sports, as a tool, to control it. Sports may be the answer to all negative deviations that exist in one society, only by organizing such actions and events. I am glad that we have Presidwent Ivanov as our ally", Ivan Anastasovski, President of "Global" said.

The project "Social and Ethnic Integration through Sports (Sportsmanship)" aims at promoting sports as social activity which, through play, fun and socializing among children and young people from different ethnic backgrounds, interethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia are strengthened.

During today's visit to Debar, President Ivanov visited the factory "Knauf" for production of gypsum.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Maja Ivanova, visited today the monastery Treskavec in Prilep.

The Macedonian President during his stay at the monastery visited the church "Assumption of the Holy Mother Mary", where he was briefed on the history of the monastery.

Accompanied by Metropolitan Peter of Prespa and Pelagonia, and the Bishop of Heraclea, Clement, President Ivanov visited the remains of the monastery quarters, which were caught by a fire in February this year.

President Ivanov was informed about the activities undertaken for its renewal.

"This is a testament for many eras, for many generations, for many who have found solace in God, who have found a place in this ambience for personal healing. Thus, the testimony in the foundation of the monastery and the frescoes prove that in the past the monastery survived similar catastrophes, but people were always united and solidary, helpful in rebuilding the monastery. Hence, responsibility of this generation, witnessing this now, is to show solidarity again to leave something future generations to remember our humanity, our help and our faith in God", President Ivanov said during the visit to the monastery Treskavec.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, on the occasion of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, attended the liturgy in the Monastery "Nativity of the Holy Mother Mary" in the village Kalishta, Struga, held by the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia. H.H. Stephen.

"I would like to congratulate all Orthodox Christians the great feast of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God. This is a holiday for celebration and joy. A holiday when we celebrate family, a holiday when we celebrate birth. Therefore, this is a day to remember the commitment to the family; the obligations towards our children, to take care for them and may we have more children", President Ivanov said.