The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Ms. Tina Komel, Minister without Portfolio, responsible for relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the autochthonous Slovenian national community in neighboring countries and between the Republic of Slovenia and Slovenians abroad.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the friendly relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Slovenia, without open political issues, based on the long-lasting constructive cooperation and mutual support at bilateral and multilateral level.

Both interlocutors agreed on the importance of regular contacts at the highest level between the two countries, emphasizing their importance for further strengthening of bilateral relations and deepening of cooperation.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Minister Komel exchanged views on immigrant policies, and concluded that conditions for successful integration of Macedonians and Macedonian emigrants in the Slovenian society exist.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the positive attitude of the Republic of Slovenia to the Macedonian national minority, whose national, cultural and religious identity is affirmed in accordance with international standards, with the financial support for implementation of projects in the field of culture and education, with the possibility for additional classes in Macedonian language and national history.

Both interlocutors agreed that the 2011Declaration on the situation of the national minorities of the Slovenian Parliament is a step towards a more stable treatment of Macedonians in Slovenia.

The Macedonian side expressed expectation for broadcasting a show in Macedonian language on the programs of the Slovenian national radio and television.

President Ivanov and Minister Komel agreed that opportunity to work within the Macedonian cultural associations is a solid basis for further development and deepening of friendly relations and ties between the two countries.

The meeting expressed interest in signing a bilateral agreement for protection of Macedonians in the Republic of Slovenia and Slovenians in the Republic of Macedonia, pursuant to the domestic legislations.

Only the European Union can help for a new ambiance in our region. Therefore, EU integration is the thing that changes our reality, was concluded at today's meeting in Tirana of the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama.

We know the past of all of us who have lived in the Balkans, but for the first time, there is something that unites us for the future. The European idea is the one that from a future point of view, unites us to work in the present and meet European standards, principles and criteria. This will leave less room for those who do not think well of the peoples in the Balkans, certainly, if we are consistent with the European agenda", President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov and Prime Minister Rama discussed at the meeting the fulfillment of the obligations of both countries towards their minorities.

"We have talked about the contribution of the Albanians living in Macedonia and the Macedonians living in Albania and concluded that we live in a time when no one can block the communication between people and their interests", the Macedonian President said.

In this context, he added that the generation to come should be offered new infrastructure, new roads, corridors, optic cables, power lines, pipelines.

"We owe that to the generations to come. We will be remembered by what we do today for them", President Ivanov stressed.

The Albanian Prime Minister said that strengthening relations and cooperation between the two governments is of vital importance.

"A new era of opportunity is opened after the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. This creates opportunities for all countries in the region in view of further mutual cooperation", Prime Minister Rama said.

He added that they talked about respecting the mechanisms agreed with international partners about good coexistence between Macedonians and Albanians in Macedonia.

"At the meeting, the President of the Republic of Macedonia expressed his concern and his request a greater attention to be paid to the Macedonian minority in Albania. I have received this message not only as an obligation of the government to take care of all minorities in Albania, but also as an expression of the fact that we can not ask something we can not fulfill and afford", Albanian Prime Minister said.
He underlined that joint efforts can contribute to advance and improve the established cooperation as quickly as possible.

"But, at the same time, this will be done strictly by implementing the mechanisms aimed at ensuring coexistence between Macedonians and Albanians", Rama said.

President Ivanov last night in the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia to Tirana held a meeting with representatives of the Macedonian minority.

Our region needs new infrastructure, because there are many closed roads in the Balkans that need to be connected. In this context, Corridor 8 will get its significance when Adriatic-Ionian highway becomes a European project and all countries have access to any of the European corridors, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, said at a press conference in Durres, at the end of the 5th Regional Presidential Summit.

The symbolism of this Summit, President Ivanov said, is that Europe is our goal and that Corridor 8 becomes a matter for the European future for the region.

"New infrastructure will result in a new economic, cultural, trade and tourism exchange. Therefore, we in Macedonia insist Corridor 8, which now stretches out to Gostivar to reach Kafasan at the Macedonian-Albanian border", President Ivanov said.

Macedonia, as he said, has access to two European corridors, corridor 8 and 10, but Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro have no access to any European corridor, and, as he noted, what was previously an idea, has now become a concrete project which should be the main discussion topic at the Brdo Process, namely that the region needs a new corridor.

Expressing gratitude to the Albanian President having chosen Durres as a venue for the second cycle of summits, President Ivanov said that among our ancestors Durres was the road to Rome, and for Rome, Durres was the road to Istanbul.

"If, at that time, Via Egnatia was connecting the East and the West through Durres, now Durres should, symbolically, connect Via Egnatia to Via Europe", President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President stressed that in the future, he would like to see as participants at these summits the presidents of Serbia and Greece, since the corridors will pass through their countries, too.

"As if the 20th century closed teh space and many of the former capitals became peripheries. Now, through the European idea, we are trying to open again our space, therefore, we need a new Infrastructure, highways, pipelines, power lines, fiber optic cables, as new generations want faster services and contacts", President Ivanov said.

As president, President Ivanov said, we have the role to open these topics and advice the governments to be committed to finding suitable solutions, so that they can make use of the available funds for the entire region in joint projects.

Summit host, the Albanian President Bujar Nishani, at the press conference said that the EU integration is and remains a top priority in all countries.

""Moving along will accelerate our path to the EU, and make the processes on that path more efficient and more positive results for our citizens will be provided. So far at these meetings we have managed in eradicating mistrust, whereas our goal now is to strengthen, as much as possible, mutual trust", Albanian President Nishani said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, during the 5th Regional Presidential Summit in Durres, Republic of Albania, held bilateral meetings with the President of the Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishani, the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic and the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga.

Key discussion topic at the meetings with presidents Vujanovic, Jahjaga and Nishani was infrastructure connectivity, namely implementation of the initiative for the Adriatic-Ionian Highway and its connectivity with corridors 8 and 10. All presidents agreed that this project will connect the markets and increase the economic compatibility and competitiveness of all countries involved, and that it should be on the top of the regional cooperation agenda. It was agreed to intensify contacts in order to provide, with joint efforts, EU support for the project. At the meetings with all interlocutors, information and views on the current internal economic and political situation in the countries and the region were exchanged, as well as on the situation with regard to the European integration. All interlocutors expressed their mutual support for EU and NATO integration processes and expressed positive expectations from the forthcoming European Council in December and the next NATO Summit to be held in 2014.

The meetings also discussed bilateral relations and cooperation.

President Ivanov and President Vujanovic concluded that there are no pending issues between the Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro, that the two countries are focused on identical foreign policy priorities and goals, membership in NATO and the EU and intensive regional cooperation, whereas they agreed that all conditions are met, in the upcoming period, highest priority to be given to the further development of economic cooperation.

At the meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosovo, President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia remains committed to building good neighborly relations, overall cooperation and advocates that all challenges should be overcome institutionally, through an open dialogue. In that regard, satisfaction was expressed with the settlement of the recent problem in the trade exchange and hope was expressed that in the future such problems will not reoccur that restrain the economic cooperation between the two countries. President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia fully supports the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Republic of Kosovo and commended the results achieved in the talks between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo, being a strong impulse for resolving the outstanding issues in the region. President Jahjaga expressed satisfaction with the participation at the 5th Regional Summit which is an added value to the bilateral and regional relations and extended her gratitude to President Ivanov for his role in these summits, primary aimed at to include Kosovo in regional initiatives.

At the meeting with Bujar Nishani, the President of the Republic of Albania, both presidents expressed hope that the continued and fruitful political dialogue will contribute to increase economic cooperation and trade.

President Nishani expressed appreciation for President Ivanov's personal contribution for the achieved level of friendly relations between the two countries, which should serve as a role model in the region, as well as for the engagement and the role of President Ivanov in these summits which have become useful and important tradition and are expected to create atmosphere for implementation of joint projects, beneficial for all countries. Both interlocutors agreed that the European integration of the Western Balkans is essential for regional stability and development, and in that direction the European Union to find solutions and to maintain the credibility of the enlargement policy as its most successful policy.

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, besides the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, was attended by students from elementary school "Koco Racin" - Skopje, "Kuzman Josifovski Pitu" - Skopje, as well as children from the kindergarten "Koco Racin" - 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.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Villa Vodno, received the members of the Macedonian men's basketball team.

President Ivanov thanked our basketball players for enabling Macedonia to be part of the finals of the European Basketball Championship.

- It has become a tradition to meet after big successes, but after defeats, too. I think that the opportunity to cheer for the national team at a European Championship is a privilege, while being a part of the European basketball elite is a success, President Ivanov stressed.

He added that he hopes the experience Macedonian basketball players have acquired at these championships will contribute to the building of a strategy that will lead to even greater successes than the success of two years ago.

- One of the most important things is that you, with your success, have become heroes of Macedonia and now, everywhere in our country, people talk about sport, cheer and thus the feeling of belonging and national pride is strengthened. You have become synonyms of victory and the biggest benefit is that young people in Macedonia today play basketball, are devoted to sports, following your examples.

Your success, your attitude towards our country, towards the Macedonian flag and anthem has inspired many children, from early age to be active in sports, but also to love their country, President Ivanov said.

Captain Pero Antic, on behalf of all players, extended gratitude for the great support they always receive from the Macedonian President.

- As Captain of our team, I would like to say that your constant support means a lot to us, especially as it comes after such results, he said.

President Ivanov said that whenever Macedonian national team is competing, whether it is in sports, science, education or any other field, all Macedonian citizens should be united in one. Thus, we will prove that we love Macedonia, President Ivanov stated.