Strong support for Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integrations at the Sedona Forum, two-day conference of political and business leaders from the U.S. and the world, organized by the Institute of the U.S. Senator, John McCain, in Arizona.
The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who attended the Forum, said that he had the opportunity to present Macedonia's interests and get support for unblocking Macedonia's integration processes.
"The issue of our membership in NATO was raised, all that we have done and our contribution to NATO, and why we are still waiting to become a member. There was a debate over these questions, and we heard the positions and the conclusions of the panelists, even personal testimonies of people who attended the Summit in Bucharest when we were to join NATO. These forums are an excellent opportunity for views and experience exchange with world politics leaders, from the U.S. Senate, heads of states, to consider the situation from a different perspective. Not only what is present daily in the media, what we know as a situation, but to tackle deep into the essence of certain problems that change the world politics. I used this opportunity to present our standpoints and the positions of Macedonia on all these issues", President Ivanov said.
Canada's Defence Minister, Peter MacKay, after the joint panel with the Macedonian President, said that his country is active supporter of Macedonia's integration. During the panel, MacKay warned that NATO must be careful over the type of message it sends to the countries seeking membership and contributing to peacekeeping missions, when rejecting their membership to the Alliance.
"Firstly, I want to say it was a very successful visit of the President of Macedonia to Canada, and we were extremely pleased to receive him. There is a strong and abiding relationship between our countries. And we are really grateful for the contributions that Macedonia makes to the NATO missions, to the mission in Afghanistan, they have done there spectacularly. I have personally seen the Macedonian troops in Afghanistan, they are professional, disciplined, and do their job with a great deal of confidence. It is seen across the NATO alliance, it is noticed by other NATO countries and they have confidence in the Macedonian soldiers. We hope to see Macedonia moving forward. This requires further consideration, and Canada is a supporter of Macedonia's aspirations. Canada is a strong supporter of NATO enlargement, and, according to my assessment, Macedonia is at a very high and prominent place in the future of NATO, because of your strong contribution and commitment to peace and security", Minister MacKay said.
At the panel devoted to the European Union developments, President Ivanov took part along with the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, and the former Prime Minister of Russia, Mikhail Kasyanov. The Macedonian President addressed the problem caused by the Greek veto, and the infringement of the Interim Accord and the judgment of the International Court of Justice.
President Ivanov presented the Macedonian experience with the political model of respect for diversity and the multi-ethnic character of the state.
"NATO is a very important institution for all multiethnic societies, to promote the values such as the rule of law, democracy and freedom. We request respect for the ruling of the International Court of Justice and we hope that in the future there will be a solution for Macedonia", the Macedonian President said, who attended the Sedona Forum at the invitation of Senator John McCain, whose recently established Institute gathers experts and key politicians in the area of foreign policy.
On the first day of the Forum, the Macedonian President met with the U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden. The Forum was attended by many current and former U.S. Senators, especially of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee, then business leaders and foreign political figures. The Forum was mostly closed to the public in order to ensure confidentiality of the discussions.
The youngest member of the family is 9 months old, and the oldest member is 13 years of age. Some of the children she fostered are married, have their own home and pay often visits to her. The tradition of fostering children is followed by the family of her son Oliver, who informed today President Ivanov on their humanitarian mission.
The Director of the Turkish Agency for Coordination and Development, Mahmut Cevik, expressed gratitude for the trust of President Ivanov and promised to organize soon meeting between businessmen of the two countries.
"We are aware that many conflicts in our region were inspired by religious understanding. Some abused religion because it strongly mobilizes, encourages feelings and provides certainty that other groups, communities do not provide. We have a positive experience because long periods of our history we have lived in open space", President Ivanov said. That open space, the President said, creates the idea that people have to live together.
Youth Forum, held as part of the Third World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations, tends to become a part of it which will be continuously developed and upgraded. The Youth Forum was attended by youth nominated by religious groups and religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as representatives from the three generations of the School for Young Leaders, which is organized under the patronage of President Ivanov. As a special guest of the Forum were invited representatives of domestic and foreign youth organizations which, inter alia, deal with inter-religious dialogue, religion, culture and spiritual values.
We need to dedicate ourselves to our families, especially to our children. To give them lots of love, lots of joy and much hope. When we are united we can overcome all the challenges we face for the sake of all of us living in the Republic of Macedonia, President Ivanov said.
