The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, during the Central Europe Summit of Heads of State, held in Bratislava, Slovakia, pledged Macedonia to be given a date to start accession negotiations with the EU and the positive experience of parallel movement of the processes to be applied. I clearly stressed the request Macedonia to be given a date because it deserves that and that the positive experiences in the process of European integration needs to be applied to Macedonia. We have a positive example of parallel processes and we want the same to be applied to Macedonia because it gives results, and, finally, what we have worked for, what is deserved, Macedonia should get it, and not only Macedonia but all the countries in the region that meet the standards, criteria and principles required by Europe, President Ivanov said after the Summit, which he said is an excellent opportunity to present the positions before the other presidents in the region, because it is a closed forum and all issues are openly discussed. The Macedonian President said that the EU can not speak on behalf of Europe, because it is not yet the EU. When our region becomes part of the EU, then the EU can speak on behalf of Europe. Therefore, Europe is an unfinished project, President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov asked for support for Macedonia's EU integration at the meetings he had today on the sidelines of the Central Europe Summit of Heads of State. At the meeting with the Slovenian President Borut Pahor, President Ivanov expressed his expectation that Slovenia, as before, will support the date for negotiations and will affirm at the meeting of the Council of the European Union the principle of parallel movement that this country has applied to Croatia, which has given results. The meeting confirmed the god bilateral relations and return official visit of President Pahor to Macedonia next month was agreed.

Key topic at the meeting with the Lithuanian President Dalia Grabauskajte was Macedonia's EU integration. At the meeting, President Ivanov urged the European leaders Macedonia to be given what it long deserves at the upcoming summit and the principles of parallel movement to be applied equally and informed that the status quo is not good for the region.

It was concluded at the meeting with the Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych that Macedonia and Ukraine have traditionally excellent bilateral relations and cooperation and understanding. They stressed the commitment to support each other at multilateral level. Yanukovych and Ivanov agreed visits at the highest level which are to be preceded by a meeting of the Macedonian-Ukrainian Trade and Economic Cooperation Committee and the Joint Committee on the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement, in order to prepare the visit and to concretize cooperation. President Yanukovych welcomed the commitment of the Macedonian President to strengthen the cooperation and relations with Ukraine.

We can always come to some solutions through dialogue, and Macedonia is an active contributor to any dialogue in the wider region is the message of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, he will convey to the participants of the 18th Central Europe Summit, hosted by the President of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Gasparovic.

The Summit is an excellent opportunity, with the leaders from the entire region, to express our views on many issues, the positions of Macedonia on certain issues, and, at closed meetings, the situation in the region is always discussed openly. There are certainly current events that are close to our region and affect our region, the Macedonian President Ivanov said today before the official start of the Summit in Bratislava, Slovakia.

President Ivanov, at the sidelines of the Summit, met with his Montenegrin counterpart, Filip Vujanovic. The two presidents agreed that the bilateral relations between Macedonia and Montenegro can serve as an example in the region. President Ivanov expressed his satisfaction with the momentum of the bilateral relations and cooperation at political level, adding that the potentials for more comprehensive economic cooperation are insufficiently used. He was informed on the current political and economic state of play in Montenegro, as well as on the challenges faced in the Euro-Atlantic processes. At the meeting, they exchanged views on the situation in the region. Joint conclusion of the meeting is that there are still open issues and complicated relationships in the region that hinder regional cooperation and send a negative image of the reality. President Ivanov said that the weakness in some Balkan leaders, to put in the first place the future of the region will soon be overcome.



On the sidelines of the Summit, President Ivanov met with the President of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti. The meeting stated that the mutual relations between the two countries are friendly, but the cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest should be strengthened and intensified. For this purpose, after a pause, exchange of visits in the future at the highest level was agreed, in order to improve the legal framework and to create conditions for more intensive cooperation, especially in the economic sphere. President Ivanov was informed about the current political and economic situation and the challenges in Moldova.

The traditionally friendly and close relations between Macedonia and Poland were reaffirmed today by the presidents of both countries, Gjorge Ivanov and Bronislaw Komorowski, at the meeting on the Bratislava Summit sidelines, when the Macedonian President asked for Poland's support for the EU integration of the country. Macedonia asks and expects the European Council in June to set a date for start of negotiations. Macedonia is a candidate country since 2005, it has received 4 consecutive recommendations for a date and expects the European leaders to apply the same principle of parallel movement in the process of integration and overcoming bilateral differences, a principle that gave positive results in our region exactly, President Ivanov said at the meeting. The Polish President, who stressed that Poland remains a strong supporter of the enlargement and open doors policy, was informed on the latest developments related to the name issue, the relations with the neighboring countries and the situation in the region. At the meeting, President Ivanov informed his Polish counterpart on the obstacles Macedonia is facing in the efforts for EU and NATO membership. Common conclusion was that integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures would contribute to better understanding between the countries, greater cooperation, overcoming differences in a European manner, noting that the success and the upcoming accession of Croatia should be an indication for the countries of the region and for the EU. At the meeting, President Komorowski accepted the invitation of President Ivanov to pay a return official visit to Macedonia, which is to be held in September and is expected to give a new positive impulse for further strengthening of relations and deepening of cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

President Ivanov, in an answer to a journalists' question today, appraised the election of Borce Davitkovski as President of the Committee tasked to examine the events of December 24, 2012 and said that he expected that the Committee would accomplish its work and come out with judgments related to the events. The election of a President speaks of the fact that a commitment from the Spring European Commission Report on Macedonia is met. I hope that the Committee will do its job because it is mandated to state and provide judgments about the events of December 24, President Ivanov said. He urged the parties, despite the establishment of the Committee, to find ways to meet the other requirement - signing of the memorandum supporting the EU integration process. This would be in addition to all of our obligations undertaken and would be respected and appreciated by Brussels, President Gjorge Ivanov said.

This is third participation of President Ivanov at summit of the Central European countries where leaders discuss all topical issues in Central Europe and express their positions relating to the topic of the meeting. Summit discussions will be focused on the key political, economic, social and security issues related to the recovery of the region and Europe in the post-crisis period. In this context, the Heads of State and Government will discuss the possibilities for restoring sustainable growth, for finding ways to prevent similar economic and financial crises in the future, as well as for the role of the new member states in the post-crisis recovery.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, after the death of Bishop Kiril, Metropolitan of the Polog and Kumanovo Diocese, sent a letter of condolence to the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan.

Your Holiness,

With profound sadness I learned of the death of Bishop Kiril, Metropolitan of the Polog and Kumanovo Diocese. Let me extend, on my personal behalf and on behalf of all Orthodox Christians, my condolences and sorrow for the great loss to you personally, to the members of the Holy Synod, and the whole clergy and monks.

Bishop Kiril dedicated his whole life to spreading the Christian faith and left a lasting mark in the Christian spiritual life of the Macedonian people. His teaching and noble mission speak of the promotion of the Orthodoxy, which is based on love, peace, spiritual wealth, mutual respect, tolerance and solidarity.

May, in this moments of sorrow, God's peace and comfort be with you.
May God bless you with his guidance and wisdom.
Please accept my sincere condolences.

To His Eternal Glory!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the mountaineer Ilina Arsova – the first Macedonian female who climbed the world highest peak, the Mount Everest.

On his personal behalf and on behalf of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, President Ivanov sent cordial congratulations for the extremely brave achievement.

“Great sport achievements, despite the athletes, are celebrated by the entire nation. I am confident that this important alpine endeavor shall encourage young people to invest in themselves tirelessly and in their capabilities, and to strive to achieve their goals. In sports, there is no insurmountable obstacle and elusive goal, if you are dedicated and enthusiastic. For all of us, there is no greater pride than to see the Macedonian flag at major international sport competitions, as it is waving at the highest peak of the world”, President Ivanov said.

Mountaineer Arsova said that she is especially honored by the continued support of the President of the Republic of Macedonia which is an additional motivation for greater alpine endeavors. Arsova also said that despite long and exhaustive preparations that require huge psychological readiness, the joy when conquering the mountain peaks is immense.President Ivanov received mountaineer Ilina Arsova and her husband immediately after their return of Aconcagua mountain peak. The Macedonian President expressed his full support to the project “First Macedonian Lady at Mount Everest”, wishing Ilina Arsova and her expedition good luck and success, short before leaving to the Himalayas.

The Macedonian President will continue to give his support to young people, who motivate young generations by their deeds to achieve success and for international affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, as patron of the project “Social and Ethnic Integration through Sports”, attended a sport and cultural event in Kavadarci which marked the beginning of the several month project.

At the event, children through various collective games and educational workshops were taught of sportsmanship.

- We are witnessing negative occurrences at sport events in the country and in the world and it is, therefore, desirable to teach young people how to behave as fans and as athletes. We live in a multiethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious society and through such projects young people have the opportunity to meet and learn from each other. It adds to the general atmosphere in the country. We want Macedonia to be a role model of decent attitude at sporting fields, and beyond them, President Ivanov said in a press statement.

U.S. Ambassador Paul Wohlers said that such activities aim at fostering tolerance and respect for others, regardless of race, social class or religion.
The project is implemented in six other communities where young people learn how to behave in sports and in everyday life. After Kavadarci, it will continue in the Skopje municipality Aerodrom, in Valandovo, Debar, Rosoman, Tearce and Centar Zupa. Holder of the project is the Development Initiatives Association -Geostrategic Institute “Global”.

The purpose of “Sportsmanship” is promotion of sport as social activity through which children and youth play, entertain and socialize with other children from different ethnic backgrounds and thus strengthen the interethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia.

The project is supported by the U.S. Embassy and its patron is the President of the Republic of Macedonia.

Traditionally, for the tenth time, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, awarded this evening the recognition "Engineer's Ring 2013" to the best 10 graduates of all engineering disciplines at the plateau of the St. Clement Church - St. Panteleimon of Plaosnik.

- We live in a time of great challenges and we expect these young people to offer solutions, to build, to create, because there is a lot to build and to create. I wish this to be the key that will open doors that will appear in their profession and their lives. The ring is recognition for their hard work in acquiring knowledge and skills. But this is a tribute to their teachers as well who managed to transfer everything they know and are able to do, and recognition to their parents who have influenced them to dedicate their lives to these professions, President Ivanov said in his speech.

This ceremony, as the Macedonian President said, is being held symbolically in the place where 12 centuries ago the first Slavic University was founded, where knowledge was obtained and transferred.

- The symbolism is huge because today we will award a ring to those who are becoming independent or those who are the best in their vocation and are responsible for their actions. Thus an engineer is only the one who creates, who builds. Engineer is only the one who is constructive, innovative, or the one who offers solutions, President Ivanov stressed.

Wishing success to the awarded engineers, the President said that these successful people bring success to Macedonia.

- Therefore I wish in their life, their job further success and may this be the beginning of their great architectural action in which they will build themselves up, and will build their environment and their country up, the Macedonian President added.
This recognition for Dana Uzheska, awarded with the engineer's ring, is incentive for greater success.

- Is a great honor to receive such an award, but even greater is the pleasure when your hard work is rewarded as it fits and is recognized. This award is an incentive for each of us to strive for greater achievements constantly updating the existing, Uzheska said on behalf of the awarded engineers.

Engineers, according to the President of the Engineering Institution of Macedonia, Aleksander Dimitrov, are the ones who create technological processes, design, plan and build.

- They are part of every innovation and are an essential driving force necessary for the development of every country, as in the industrial, economic, and the social problem, Dimitrov said.

The manifestation "Engineer's Ring" is held for the 10th time, under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, organized by the Engineering Institution of Macedonia and the Chamber of authorized architects and authorized engineers. It is an incentive to study engineering and contribution to the development of quality engineering recruits, compatible with the developed countries.