With the lecture on “The Balkan and the Gulf: the crossroads of civilizations” at Georgetown University in Doha, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, rounded up his official visit to the State of Qatar.

The Balkan and the Gulf are crossroads of civilizations that have been established by the empires, trade, culture and religion. These are places where civilizations do not collide, but communicate, share and connect, creating fertile ground for dialogue among civilizations, President Ivanov said. Macedonian people, as he said, have always stood for peace and unity.

The societies in the Balkans are multi-ethnic, as a result of the long period of the existence of the empires in these regions. Macedonia has lived, and is living in the world of diversities, respecting its heritage. Life has thought us of tolerance and mutual support, the Macedonian President said. The Republic of Macedonia, as President Ivanov added, is committed to inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.

Our commitment is demonstrated in establishing and developing close and friendly relations with countries belonging to different civilizations at bilateral and multilateral level. Our multi-ethnic and multi-religion democratic model is a source of great creative potential - a bridge for mutual understanding, respect and co-existence, President Ivanov stressed.

Speaking about the upcoming Forum of the Dialogue among Civilizations, hosted this year by the Republic of Macedonia, President Ivanov stressed that the dialogue between religions and cultures is a basic tool for overcoming prejudice and fear and for bonding and understanding between people. In his lecture, the President stressed the idea of open space that offers opening of the market and opportunity for success.

The European idea is a peace project and therefore all of us who live in the Balkans hope that the integration into the European Union will finally bring peace in the region. The EU will bring European standards, criteria and principles, and when it will be respected, the citizens will have legal certainty and the desire for pursuit of happiness. As long as we are out of that open space, as he added, we are subject to mutual conflicts, mistrust and intolerance, President Ivanov said. The Macedonian President in his lecture said that the greatest wealth of every country is its people and that it is necessary to respect each other.

If we invest in education of people, if we enable them communication, tolerance to the others, if we respect each other, then there will be a period of peace, Ivanov said, adding that the conflicts are result of lack of communication, intolerance and disrespect. Emphasizing the importance of education of youth, President Ivanov, using that occasion, invited two students from Georgetown University to participate in the next “School for Young Leaders” which is held every year in Ohrid under his auspices. The Lecture of President Ivanov was announced by Emir Hasanovic, the son of the Macedonian Ambassador to Qatar, who is the only student from the Republic of Macedonia at this university.

The Macedonian delegation led by President Ivanov, visited the science and technology park in Doha today. The scientific-technological park develops technologies in energy, environment, health and ICT. The scientific-technological park spreads over 15 million square meters and is recognized as an engine for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Qatar. President Ivanov and Minister Saracini had a meeting with the CEO of Qatara Group, dealing with managing hotels. It was agreed at the meeting that a team of Qatara would visit the Republic of Macedonia in March and specify certain projects. The Minister of Economy, Valon Sarachini, said that during President Ivanov’s visit to Doha of several institutions, they discussed about specific projects aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar.

Establishment of a Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar and opening of an Embassy in Skopje as soon as possible, is the outcome of today’s meeting in Doha between the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. At the meeting, they also exchanged views and information on the existing bilateral relations and the opportunities for deepening the cooperation between the two countries in all spheres of mutual interest. Special emphasis was placed on the opportunities for developing economic cooperation. President Ivanov informed that the Charge d’ Affairs, Mohammed bin Rashid Hamad Sabih, is already in Skopje and is working on the opening of the Qatari Embassy in the shortest time. Three years ago, there was not a single bilateral agreement signed with Qatar. After the intensive bilateral contacts, the legal framework between the two countries was established, and, in that regard, a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of tourism was signed today, President Ivanov said after the meeting with the Emir al-Thani.

The President and the Emir of the State of Qatar discussed about the Qatari investments in the Republic of Macedonia, whereas the President Ivanov stressed that there is interest in establishing cooperation in the field of higher education and in culture, due to the recent visit of the Ensemble Tanec to Doha. This visit aims at maintaining political dialogue at the highest level and I hope that the economic cooperation that we encourage will soon give its results, President Ivanov said. In order to enhance further the contractual framework between the two countries, despite the Memorandum of Understanding on tourism, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Chambers of Commerce of the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar. The Minister of Economy, Valon Sarachini, was in the official delegation led by President Ivanov.

During the official visit, President Ivanov met with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani. Key discussion topic at the meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister was the possibilities for the development of economic cooperation. Opinions were exchanged on specific potential projects that they can invest in the field of infrastructure and energy, tourism and agriculture. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar reiterated the readiness to invest in the Republic of Macedonia in these areas and stressed the desire to visit the Republic of Macedonia in the future. President Ivanov stressed that good political relations in the coming period should be valorized and formalize with concrete economic projects. At the same time, the Macedonian President expressed his expectation that the contacts between the two countries in this area will continue.

During their stay in the State of Qatar, President Ivanov will visit Georgetown University, where he will deliver a lecture entitled “The Balkans and the Gulf: the crossroads of civilizations”. This is the first official visit of President Ivanov to Qatar, at the invitation of the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, which is realized after the two-day official visit of the Emir of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Macedonia, on 17 and 18 October 2011.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, celebrating the great Christian holiday - Epiphany, attended the ceremony of throwing the cross into the sanctified waters in Valandovo and Gevgelija.

President Ivanov stressed that the celebration of Epiphany is a tradition among our people and expressed satisfaction that over the years, its celebration in the south of Macedonia, has become a regional event attended by the citizens of all municipalities in the surrounding area. I congratulate the luckiest who catch the cross, wishing them happiness throughout the year, and to share happiness with others, President Ivanov said, adding that holiday traditions give us the possibility to spend time with our closest ones in joint celebration.
At the ceremony marking the Epiphany at the city pool in Valandovo, Daniel Zanov caught the sanctified cross. President Ivanov awarded him the unique Cross with Macedonian rubies. Zanov said that being the fastest and happiest among the participants, his greatest desire came true – he caught the cross, and said he will continue the tradition. The celebration of Epiphany in Gevgelija, Ilija Gjorgjiev from Mrzenci was the happiest among the participants and caught the cross in the sanctified waters of the River Vardar for a second time. I am very happy, I will share my happiness with all citizens of Gevgelija. I will visit all Christian homes with the Holy Cross so that my fellow citizens have healthy and prosperous the new year, Gjorgjiev said.

President Ivanov, congratulating the holiday to all Orthodox believers, wished the luckiest health and happiness, and said that the cross should always remind them of this great day. Epiphany is a holiday which marks the baptism as one of the pillars of Christianity, in honor of the day when John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. The act of catching the cross marks the union of man with Christ, hence is believed that it brings health, happiness and prosperity.

The Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General, Matthew Nimetz, has paid a working visit today to the Republic of Macedonia as part of the activities relating to his mandate for overcoming the name difference.

During his visit to the country, Mr. Nimetz has had meetings with the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gјorge Ivanov, as well as with Macedonian Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Poposki, to whom he has presented his views on his visit to Athens and the commitments expressed there for continuing the process.

At the meetings that Mr. Nimetz has had with the Macedonian national leadership, he has yet again been offered the full support of the Republic of Macedonia for increasing his engagement in the process. Furthermore, Mr. Nimetz has been informed in detail on the Macedonian dedication to removing this obstacle calling into question the Euro-Atlantic integration of the entire region of Southeast Europe. In that context, Mr. Nimetz has been presented the numerous bilateral initiatives that the Macedonian side has hitherto launched with a view to forging closer ties between Macedonia and Greece. The majority of these initiatives have, in fact, been listed in the letter that Macedonian Prime Minister Gruevski has extended to his Greek counterpart Samaras. As a result, at the meetings, the Macedonian side has reaffirmed the country’s sincere commitment to finding a solution to the name issue, reemphasizing its interest in dynamizing the entire process and setting the issue aside as soon as possible.

Moreover, it has been underlined at the meetings that it is necessary to make certain steps towards restoring the trust between the Republic of Macedonia and the Hellenic Republic. Hence, the role of the United Nations bodies has been deemed as being of exceptional use to the entire process and, in that context, Mediator Nimetz has also been offered further encouragement for his intention to intensify his communication with both Macedonia and Greece and pay more regular visits to the two countries in the period ahead.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today attended the traditional Christmas lunch, hosted by the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, H.H. Stefan, for the state leadership, on the occasion of the Day of St. Stefan and the third day of Christmas. The Christmas lunch was held at the residence of the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan, which, besides President Ivanov, was attended by the President of the Assembly, Trajko Veljanoski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the members of the Macedonian men’s handball team, before their participation at the World Handball Championship, which will be held in January 11 - 27 in Spain.

President Ivanov urged Macedonian handball players to believe in themselves and in their qualities, noting that the success achieved during last year’s European Championships should be an additional incentive for winning a higher rank at the upcoming Championship in Spain. Voicing support on behalf of all the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, the President wished the Macedonian team luck and success on the upcoming matches.

Where the national team is, there is Macedonia. You are idols of young generations and owing to you, many young people have chosen and will choose sports. You are our best ambassadors and, I have no doubt that you will make the world talk about Macedonia again, the President said.

Kire Lazarov, men’s handball team captain, expressing his gratitude to President Ivanov for the time, as he said, that the President always devotes for them and for the sports in general, said that they would do their best to present Macedonia to the world decently. We will fight, we will not give up and we hope that, in the end, we will all rejoice in our successes, Lazarov said.

After last year’s fifth place at the European Championship, the President of the Republic of Macedonia decorated the members of the Macedonian handball team with “Medal of Merits for Macedonia”, for the international affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia in the world with the achieved high results in handball and for the outstanding contribution for the development and popularization of this sport in our country.