Macedonia and Moldova are two friendly countries, among which there are potentials for cooperation, which, unfortunately, are not sufficiently exploited. It is necessary to intensify the political dialogue and the cooperation between the institutions of both countries, in order to boost the economic cooperation and trade, is the message sent by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and the President of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Igor Dodon, after their meeting today in Chisinau.

"In this context, I am particularly pleased that Moldova supports our initiative for signing an economic cooperation agreement, for transferring our experience in the field of attracting foreign investments, and I am pleased that this experience can be shared as it is obvious that Moldova needs experience in this sphere", President Ivanov, who is on a two-day official visit to Moldova, said.

"Our trade exchange is really symbolic, but by closing the legal framework and signing the necessary agreements, we hope that we will be able to increase the trade, because we have a similar production, especially of wine and food, and we can perform jointly on third markets, i.e. encourage exchange between our related economies", President Ivanov said.

According to the Moldovan President Dodon, there is untapped potential in terms of economic cooperation between the two countries. Hence, he offered steps that, according to him, should be taken in the near future.

"First, an intergovernmental commission on economic co-operation should be established. Usually, this mechanism gives additional motivation to solve various problems in trading. Second, it is necessary to sign additional agreements, especially on mutual protection of investments. Moldova can be an interesting country for Western investors who are to sell their products, offering security for their investments. Third, we need to strengthen the cooperation and dialogue between the business community, as mentioned by President Ivanov. It all requires good cooperation between trade and industry chambers. If the first and second step is done, I think the third will be much simpler to implement", the Moldovan President Dodon said.

During the official visit to Moldova, President Ivanov will meet with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Pavel Filip, and the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Andrian Candu.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, addressed the opening of the 12th Macedonian National Scout Jamboree, which, under his auspices, and organized by the Scout Association of Macedonia, is taking place from 12 to 22 July near the Ohrid village of Skrebatno.

More than 1000 scouts are participating in this year's jamboree. Besides Macedonian scouts, scouts from Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Israel, Moldova, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine, France, Croatia, Montenegro and the Czech Republic are taking part in the jamboree.

The jamboree is the biggest event organized by a scout association and it represents a large gathering of scouts and young people in one camp. The program consists of 117 educational workshops on life skills, sustainable development goals, intercultural dialogue, challenges, nature and adventure. Besides the workshops, the jamboree provides a platform for forums, discussions and exchanges of cultures.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today, at the Villa Biljana in Ohrid, the world famous opera diva Elena Mosuc, tenor Calin Bratescu and conductor Nicolae Moldoveanu, who will perform accompanied by the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra at the opening the 58th edition of the Ohrid Summer Festival, as well as the organizers of the festival.

In the wake of tomorrow's opening of the Ohrid Summer Festival, the Macedonian President expressed satisfaction with this year's rich program, noting that this prestigious Macedonian festival continuously contributes to the promotion of Macedonian culture, music and art in the world, and at the same time, brings the most important world music achievements to the Macedonian audience.

President Ivanov welcomed the top musicians from Romania, opera singer Elena Mosuc, tenor Calin Bratescu and conductor Nicolae Moldoveanu, and wished them a successful performance at tomorrow's opening of the festival.

The Macedonian President said that Ohrid, as a place with a long spiritual and cultural tradition, through the Ohrid Summer Festival further enriches the city's tourist offer.

Expressing gratitude for the meeting with the Macedonian President, the music artists expressed satisfaction with the invitation and with their stay in Macedonia, as well as with the opportunity to perform at this popular festival in Europe.

At the meeting, the organizers of the festival informed President Ivanov of the course of the activities and of the annual program of the Ohrid Summer Festival, which includes over 45 performances by domestic and foreign artists, including over 35 musical performances, 8 theater plays and several art exhibitions.

By August 20th, the Republic of Macedonia and Ohrid will host over 800 top artists, performers and authors from 27 countries from all over the world, from Great Britain, Canada, Russia, Spain, Italy Romania, France, Poland and other.

Ohrid Summer Festival is traditionally held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, attended today the ceremony on the occasion of the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

President Ivanov congratulated the President of the Republic of Turkey for the victory and achieved success in the early presidential and parliamentary elections and wished him success in the execution of his presidential office. The Macedonian President thanked for all the previous support from the Republic of Turkey and expressed confidence that the strong friendship and cooperation between the two countries will continue in the future.

At the ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, President Erdogan addressed the audience after he was sworn in before the Turkish Parliament. The ceremony was attended by 22 heads of state and 28 prime ministers, speakers and ministers.

Nations without literacy have irrevocably disappeared in history. Thanks to the saints Cyril and Methodius, the Macedonian and the Slovak people not only survived, but, with their worldview, uniqueness and identity, enrich the European cultural space. Today, I speak my native Macedonian language just as you speak your Slovak language thanks to the saints Cyril and Methodius, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, said at the traditional manifestation "Days of St. Cyril and Methodius" held in Terchova, the Slovak Republic.

The Day of the Slavic Enlighteners, Saints Cyril and Methodius, - July 5th, the Slovak Republic celebrates it as a national holiday.
The annual manifestation "Days of Sts. Cyril and Methodius", which includes several cultural, historical and spiritual events, is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Zilina, whose protectors are Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

Speaking about the holy brothers, the Macedonian President pointed out that they are not only Slavic apostles, but also patrons of Europe, without whmh Europe would be spiritually, culturally and civilization deprived.

- 12 centuries ago, on the basis of the Old Slavic speech from Macedonia, they compiled the alphabet called Glagolitic. With the Glagolitic, they transformed the Old Slavic language into the first written language of the Slavic countries. And then, with that written language, they managed to liberate the enormous spiritual, intellectual, cultural and creative potential of the Slavic peoples, President Ivanov said in his address.

President Ivanov stressed that the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius left a communication code that connects not only generations, but also whole nations and states.

- It is the code we use to continue to build and promote the excellent bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Slovak Republic, as it befits friendly countries and peoples, said the Macedonian President.

Within the framework of the manifestation, President Ivanov also attended a solemn liturgy at the Cathedral of Sts. Cyril and Methodius - Brdo Oravcove, which is the largest temple in the Slovak Republic dedicated to the Slavic Enlighteners. Moreover, President Ivanov was given recognition by the municipality of Terhova. Terhova in Zilina is the place where, in the ancient Great Moravia, Saints Cyril and Methodius performed their fourth educational mission.

During his stay in the Slovak Republic, President Ivanov had meetings with the Mayor of the Municipality of Terhova, Mr. Jozef Davidik, the President of the Zilina self-governing region, Ms. Erika Jurinova, and the Bishop of Nitra, Monsignor William Judek.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today a delegation from the Association of Macedonians from the Aegean part of Macedonia – "Macedon" and members of the secretariat of the Fifth World Meeting of Refugee Children. Expressing appreciation for the reception, they informed President Ivanov with the ongoing activities regarding the final preparation and organization of the Fifth World Meeting of Refugee Children, to be held on June 30 and July 1 in Skopje and Katlanovo. At the meeting, the delegation expressed support for the position of the Macedonian President in relation to the Law on Ratification of the Agreement with the Hellenic Republic.