The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today the President of the World Jewish Congress, Mr. Ronald Lauder, accompanied by a delegation of the Secretary General of the Jewish communities in Germany, Mr. Stefan Kramer and the Honorary Consul of Israel to Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Victor Mizrahi.

At the meeting, both sides expressed mutual satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Israel, characterized by a high level of friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

Macedonia, as President Ivanov stressed, attaches great importance to the Jewish community in our country, and the Jewish and Macedonian people have long common tradition. The President recalled that one of the founders of the Macedonian revolutionary movement for liberation of Macedonia was Rafael Kamhi, Macedonian Jew from Bitola. Our country pays special attention to preserve the memory of the Macedonian Jews, victims of the Holocaust. Therefore, President Ivanov noted that last year, as a sign of respect and remembrance, the Holocaust Memorial Center of the Jews from Macedonia was opened in Skopje - one of four such centers in the world, despite those in Jerusalem, New York and Berlin.

The President of the World Jewish Congress, Mr. Lauder, said the entire Jewish community in the world especially appreciates the opening of the Memorial Center and the attitude of the Republic of Macedonia to the Jewish community that lives here. Therefore, the Jews around the world support Macedonia in its efforts to achieve its strategic goals and objectives, such as the Euro-Atlantic integrations.

President Ivanov announced that a ministerial meeting within the South East Europe Cooperation Process is planned to take place in March 2013, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Holocaust in Macedonia. He expressed expectation that Israel will also support this event.

The economic potential of the Republic of Macedonia was also discussed at the meeting, as well as the conditions provided for foreign investors. Both interlocutors expressed hope that in the near future the economic cooperation will be enhanced, as well as the investments by Israeli and Jewish investors in the Republic of Macedonia.

The Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia, September 8, when we celebrate 21 year of independence and the start of the democratic development, was also celebrated at the Presidential Villa Vodno. More than a hundred primary school students from several schools in Macedonia, together with President Ivanov and his wife attended the changing of the flag in front of the presidential office.

The Guard unit of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, traditionally, changed the flag of the Republic of Macedonia in front of the Office of the President, while the students, attentively, in the rhythm of the military drum, followed the ceremony. Young citizens of the Republic of Macedonia had the opportunity to see the working premises of the President and to talk to him. President Ivanov awarded all of them with a symbolic gift on the occasion of the Independence Day.

The celebration continued at the Macedonian Opera and Ballet, where President Ivanov hosted the evening gala academy. The President, at the beginning of his address, which was attended by the President of the Assembly, Trajko Veljanoski, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, ministers, representatives of political parties, religious communities, diplomatic corps in the country, reiterated that the country will be as we are going to create it, pointing at the global situation in economic and security terms, which, as he said, can not circumvent the Republic of Macedonia, and that it is our obligation to prepare Macedonian society for everything that is ahead.

“That is our responsibility. Responsibility of every individual, regardless of its ethnic, religious or any other affiliation. Responsibility of each community, each political party. Responsibility of each institution, including me as President, the government, the opposition, the judiciary, the administration, media, civil society. Simply, everyone has a stake and responsibility in attaining the strategic goals. There is no room for excuses and avoidance of obligations and responsibilities”, President Ivanov stressed.
 

Third decade of independent Macedonia has to be a decade of success. Decade of the generations born in freedom who, through their work, commitment and optimism, need to experience the well-being here in Macedonia, President Ivanov said on the occasion of Independence Day, September 8.

“Every day that we live in an independent Macedonia is an Independence Day. Independence that we will preserve, promote and hand over to the next generations only if we do not deviate from the fundamental values of our common homeland. It is a pride but also a commitment to be Macedonian. Pride is to live in Macedonia, pride and commitment is to be a citizen of the Republic of Macedonia, regardless of ethnic, religious or any other affiliation”, the President said.

In his address, President Ivanov paid greatest attention to the generations born in freedom. Generations born in independent, sovereign and autonomous Macedonia.

“These are the generations that create individually the image of themselves and Macedonia. These are the generations that are no longer slaves to the notions of Macedonia created by others. To all citizens of Macedonia we need to enable competition of results of their mind and their labor. We have to prepare them to face the challenges of life in the 21st century”, President Ivanov said.

According to President Ivanov - we will live in Macedonia as we will create it and our obligation is to prepare the Macedonian society for everything that is ahead. That is our responsibility!
 

The Gala academy was enriched with the gala opera concert with Macedonian and world opera literature program performed by the opera solo performers and the orchestra of the Macedonian Opera and Ballet. The ceremony celebrating the 21 anniversary of independence culminated in a concert at the City Stadium – the Arena "Philip II" in Skopje, where the greatest Balkan and Macedonian pop stars as special guests of the famous musicians Tavitjan, sang many Macedonian traditional songs.
 

President Ivanov and the Minister of Culture, Elizabeta Kanceska Milevska, in the restaurant "Pelister" in Skopje, met the musicians performing at the concert on the occasion of the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Brussels today had a meeting with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. The main discussion topic was the European perspective of Macedonia as a candidate country for EU membership since 2005.

“I welcome the reforms implemented so far and I encourage the efforts in regard to freedom of expression, electoral reform and interethnic relations. Internal stability and reconciliation, for the country and for the region, remain the most important segments. Therefore, we want full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement and we strongly support the spirit and the letter of this agreement, which is essential for the democracy and rule of law”, the President of the European Council said after the meeting with President Ivanov.

Van Rompuy said that they agreed with the Macedonian President on the importance of maintaining the strong focus Macedonia has on the road to EU, stressing the importance of the High-Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) led between the Macedonian government and the European Commission.

The President of the European Council said that with President Ivanov they discussed the name issue, emphasizing the relevance of good neighborly relations in the EU accession process, and that he encourages both countries to resume negotiations in order to find a mutually acceptable solution.

“Because regional cooperation is essential for European integration, in this context, I welcome the Presidency of your country with the South-East Europe Cooperation Process. The EU remains fully committed to the European future of the country and I welcome the strong public support for the EU. Therefore, I am confident that the goal will be achieved once you resolve the name issue”, said the President of the Council, adding that he is willing to help, and that the necessary reforms and criteria must be met.

“I hope all countries in the region, including your country, Mr. President, will continue on the road towards the EU. The future of your country is in Europe”, Van Rompuy said to the President.

President Ivanov, however, said that at the meeting with Van Rompuy they discussed his meetings yesterday with the representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Moreover, the Macedonian President conveyed the expectations in Macedonia to Van Rompuy that everything that has been achieved should be noted in the October Progress Report of the European Commission regarding the country's European integration.

"We expect, the European Council as an institution whose role we highly respect, to accelerate Macedonia's European integration process. I expressed gratitude for everything done so far for our country in that respect. Rompuy and I discussed many issues, such as the reform processes and commitments that we as a country are taking, as well as the desire to unblock the process of our European integration", President Ivanov said.

He also added that with the President of the European Council they discussed the latest developments in the region. President Ivanov pointed out that the goal of Macedonia is to be set a date to start negotiations by the end of the year, which would be a positive signal for the other countries striving to the same goal. The Macedonian President pointed to his interlocutor that the EU is expected to do everything in its capacity to help attain these goals together to the benefit of the entire region and our southern neighbor. In such a case, according to President Ivanov, Greece will have a neighbor with European standards, criteria and principles.

"This policy of blockades that we feel most, does not give results, or contribution to our whole region to live the agenda of the European future and feel the benefit of the European integration, because it is the only process that is forcing us to voluntarily

change institutions, habits and thus our future. Therefore, I asked Van Rompuy for his personal engagement in overcoming these long-lasting blockades so that we can get what we deserve, nothing more and noting less than the other countries with the same status as ours", President Ivanov added and at the end of the meeting invited the President of the European Council next year to visit Macedonia and attend the meeting of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, which will be held in Ohrid.

According to President Ivanov, the President of the European Council will have the chance to be personally informed by the leaders of the countries in our region with the new environment that is being created.

The working two-day visit of the President of the Republic of Macedonia to Brussels was wrapped up with the meeting with the President of the European Council, preceded with the meetings with the high-level representatives of NATO and the EU, which is assessed as successful.

As long as I am President of the European Parliament, the Republic of Macedonia will always have my support, told the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz the Macedonian President Ivanov at the meeting this afternoon in the European Parliament.

As President Ivanov said at the press conference after the meeting, among the topics of discussion was the role of the European Parliament in the EU integration process of our country and the trust this institution enjoys by the Macedonian citizens.

“We consider the EP an institution that is a great friend and supporter of Macedonia and of the European Union enlargement process. The European Parliament is an institution that continuously and wholeheartedly supports the initiation of negotiations for Macedonia’s membership in the European Union. This is confirmed with the resolutions overwhelmingly adopted in the Parliament, which give us hope each year in meeting our strategic goal - to become an EU member-state”, President Ivanov said and thanked the EP for the commitment regarding the sensitive topic in its reports, such as the use of the adjective “Macedonian” for our language and nation.

“For us it is very important the use of the identity determination that creates a positive atmosphere among the Macedonian citizens towards the European Parliament. We hope that certain positive examples to which the European Parliament pays attention, as the case of Slovenia and Croatia, will be used to find a solution not to block the process of European integration in our case with Greece. In this regard, we expect help from our MEPs and the Group of Friends of Macedonia in the EP, after so many years of waiting and four positive recommendations by the European Commission - to get a date to start negotiations for EU membership”, President Ivanov stressed.

Schultz, on the other hand, pointed out that at his first official meeting with the Macedonian head of state they had a friendly exchange of views. In addition, the President of the European Parliament said that he has accepted the invitation of President Ivanov, very soon to pay official visit to our country.

"The European Parliament has always supported the idea and the way each country, sooner or later, becomes a member of the EU. There are many problems which we can solve on this path together. Tomorrow, President Ivanov will meet the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. He is the one who is in charge of the EU members. I, as representative of the European people, can confirm that the majority of MEPs want to see your country one day as part of the EU", Schultz emphasized and thanked for the great support that the European Parliament has in Macedonia.

Asked whether the European Parliament has a mechanism and will to unblock Macedonia's EU integration process and force Greece not to block Macedonia's accession into the EU, Schultz replied that the EP wants to see Macedonia as a member of the Union soon.

"We know the obstacles your country is faced with, but we know the situation in Greece, too. The new government in Athens is facing major economic and administrative problems. I told President Ivanov that his country is a symbol of multi-ethnic society and you give us hope in the EU with that", the President of the EP answered.

Asked how he assesses today's meeting with Rasmussen, Fule and Schultz during his two-day visit to Brussels, President Ivanov stressed that this visit is on the eve of the European Commission's report on Macedonia.

"We expect the report to be realistic and objective and contain everything we have undertaken under the High-Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD), which gives results and changes in the Macedonian society are felt. We expect this report to be positive and note all the effort we make in Macedonia in the process of European integration. At all meetings I was assured that what we do and what we have achieved in certain areas is respected. Macedonia is a positive example of how other countries should behave", President Ivanov stressed once again, noting that Macedonia expects in December to get a date to start negotiations for EU membership.

With tomorrow's meeting with the President of the Council, Van Rompuy, President Ivanov will wrap up his visit to Brussels.

Macedonians, Macedonian citizens, Macedonian integration instead of “citizens of FYROM, your citizens and your integration”. These are the messages conveyed after the meeting with the Macedonian President Ivanov at the press conference by the EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, which indirectly is considered an affirmative answer to the question whether the October’s report of the European Commission will contain the adjective “Macedonian”.

After the meeting with the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and his acknowledgement that the solution to the imposed name dispute with Greece must not infringe Macedonian identity and language, President Ivanov this afternoon succeeded in receiving positive tones by the EU Commissioner.

Commissioner Fule, did not give a direct answer whether the term “Macedonian” in relation to the nation and the language spoken in Macedonia will be incorporated in the October’s report, emphasizing that he heard that the Macedonian President had to say on that matter.

“We both focused on the essence of what needs to be done for your country to get a date to start negotiations for EU membership and for that to happen sooner rather than later. There is no need for President Ivanov to ask my support for the EU integration process of the Macedonian state, I have been doing that because I believe in the EU enlargement and that the Macedonians in the EU will strengthen the process of enlargement and that all Macedonian citizens will benefit. However, I do not tend to discuss things from the report while it is being prepared”, the EU Enlargement Commissioner Fule said, adding that at the meeting with the President he did not reveal details of the content of the European Commission’s report.

He pointed out that it is most important the findings of his department in the EC first to be submitted to the College of Commissioners, President Jose Manuel Barroso, the EU Member States and the candidate countries for membership in the European Union.

President Ivanov, however, said that the talks with the EU Commissioner focused on everything that Macedonia is currently doing as a step forward in the European integration processes. He noted that he thanked Fule for his contribution in the movement of these processes.

"This meeting takes place in a crucial period for Macedonia, when the country is in the process of fulfilling its tasks under the High-Level Accession Dialogue, which gives results and contributes Macedonia to feel the spirit of the reforms. Therefore, we expect a positive report by the European Commission and unblock of the process of European integration of our country. We are aware that a decision is taken by consensus, but we hope the positive results Macedonia has achieved would result in a date to start EU membership negotiations", President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President received a confirmation from the EU Commissioner that Macedonia has achieved relevant and numerous results in many areas. Fule mentioned the progress made in the implementation of the Framework Agreement, the reform of the judiciary, freedom of expression in the media and in other areas. This will also be noted and will be part of the European Commission's report in October.

"In context of the imposed dispute by our southern neighbor, I told Commissioner Füle that we have a new reality which requires fulfillment of obligations taken by Greece. This country violates the Interim Agreement, and now there is the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). We require the same what all EU member states require -Greece to act responsibly towards its commitments. This should be resolved in the United Nations led process, but only if we are active in that process we can come to a solution", President Ivanov said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia reiterated that he remains on his position not to receive the October's report of the Commission if it does not include the adjective "Macedonian". However, he pointed out that at present we are focused on the essence of the report and whether everything that Macedonia is doing will be noted therein. - "Therefore, we expect a positive report and we are focused on the content. Once we receive it we will say what we have to say regarding its content", the President answered.

EU Commissioner Fule stated that he had interesting and decent conversation with the Macedonian President, and as he said, he was informed of the latest developments in Macedonia.

"President Ivanov informed me of his personal efforts and the efforts of the coalition partners in the government in resolving outstanding issues and finding a way to move forward. The Government of Macedonia needs to implement key reforms of the roadmap under the High-Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD). It is necessary to strengthen inter-ethnic relations in the country, to fully implement the Ohrid Agreement, to strengthen freedom of expression through defamation decriminalization in the media, to review the electoral framework in line with the international standards", Fule said, pointing regional cooperation and good neighborly relations as an essential part of approaching the EU and, above all, a solution to the name issue with Greece, in the framework of the negotiations led under the UN auspices.

Regarding the name issue, the EU Commissioner said that he fully supports President Ivanov in terms of having bilateral meetings and acceleration of the process under the UN. Fule said that he had a vivid debate with Ivanov, whom he appreciates highly, highlighting the role the President plays in situations when inter-ethnic tensions become an obstacle to the country's path towards the EU.

"I appreciate the interest of President Ivanov and his determination to make the third round of negotiations under the HLAD successful. And, as I said, it will be successful if the 3 previously mentioned priorities are met, the EU Commissioner Fule said.

Answering the question of the Bulgarian journalists if he was concerned by the fact that different presentation of shared history may result in blockage of Macedonia's European integration process by Bulgaria, President Ivanov said: "The European Union is an idea that unites us in the future. We should put an end to looking to the past. We are joining the EU, so that together with Bulgaria we can apply European standards, criteria and principles. Let's leave history to historians!"

To this, Commissioner Fule added that Bulgaria is one of the countries enjoying the benefits from joining the EU. – "I know that the same benefits, the Bulgarian authorities would like to be enjoyed by the Macedonian citizens as well".

Later today, President Ivanov will meet with the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and tomorrow morning he is scheduled to meet the President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, in Brussels.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who is paying a working visit to Brussels, at NATO Headquarters today held a meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The message that the Macedonian President conveyed to Rasmussen was that the issue that keeps us outside NATO is a bilateral issue and that in the past many countries without solving bilateral issues managed to join the Alliance and the EU, so it gives us hope that it is possible such a solution to be applied in our case, too. Exactly Greece, before becoming a NATO member, had not solved its outstanding issues with its neighbors, yet it became member of the Euro-Atlantic family, President Ivanov stressed.

The Head of the Macedonian state pointed out that if there is a will there is a way to do this. – “We demand the political elites, not the citizens of Greece, to show willingness to find a solution. We are willing to do so. We do not need to wait for a NATO Summit to receive an invitation for membership”, President Ivanov said.

At the meeting with Rasmussen, the Macedonian President asked for support and advice on how to find a way out of the status quo, especially after the evident policy of ignorance by Greece, refusing initiatives and meetings. He openly asked for an opinion how Rasmussen would behave in such a situation, because it is impossible to find a solution if there is no dialogue.

The President also asked for help from his interlocutor for his commitment to reaching consensus on an invitation for Macedonia to join the Alliance, and as argument he stated the following: how can we reach an agreement with Greece alone, when the entire Europe can not reach an agreement with it.

"We are not asking for anything more than what the European countries are asking from Greece - to comply with the international obligations it has taken”, the Macedonian President told Rasmussen, and was assured by him that he would discuss that with the Greek authorities to make a step forward. The NATO General Secretary agreed with the position of the President that any solution must respect and guarantee identity and language determinants, respect human rights, the right to self-identification and dignity.

The meeting also tackled the issue of the judgment of the International Court of Justice, when President Ivanov expressed his disappointment of Rasmussen's statements and attitude regarding the effects of the ruling. He stressed that the judgment refers to the conduct of one member of the Alliance, at a NATO Summit and not within a NGO. The meeting also discussed the possibilities how to unblock the process within NATO, and thus several possible scenarios were discussed.

After their 45-minute meeting, Ivanov and Rasmussen came out with official statements. The NATO Secretary General thanked the head of the Macedonian state for the great contribution to the NATO-led operations and what our troops do in Afghanistan.

"We appreciate your support in terms of the KFOR communication lines in Kosovo. We welcome your commitment to the process of joining NATO and the strong political and citizens' support for NATO membership in your country. But I must say that at the NATO Summit in Chicago, held in May this year, our position was reiterated with our open invitation to your country for NATO membership. We remain committed to the integration of the entire Western Balkans region. The open door policy and the EU and NATO enlargement have transformed your region", Secretary General Rasmussen said, stressing that all the countries that have joined NATO, as well as those in the accession process, have contributed to the reform and the path to improvement, but also to the improved relations with its neighbors, the rule of law and transparency.

"I applaud your commitment to continue the reforms and strongly hope that a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue is found as soon as possible within the framework of the United Nations. We repeated this in Chicago, an invitation will be extended to you when a mutually acceptable solution is found. The future of the Western Balkans is in its integration into the Euro-Atlantic family", the NATO Secretary General said.

President Ivanov, however, stressed that he had very constructive and friendly talks with Secretary General Rasmussen and discussed all aspects of the issue.

"NATO knows that Macedonia is honest and loyal partner that meets all criteria and expects the deserved invitation to join NATO. Although our expectations were not met at the Summit in Chicago, we are not discouraged. We are continuing our NATO commitment, fulfilling all criteria and standards, our Army is fully compatible with the NATO standards", President Ivanov made clear at the joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General.

According to the President of the Republic of Macedonia, the expectations of the Chicago Summit were based on the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but even before the summit it was clear that we would not get an invitation to join, so we were encouraged with the conclusion that Chicago is the last NATO Summit without enlargement. It gives hope that there it is not a question whether Macedonia will join NATO, but when, President Ivanov said.

"I was encouraged with today's talk with Rasmussen, who pointed out that we need to make efforts to reach a solution to the problem we have with our neighbor. Status-quo in our region is unsustainable. In the constructive talks with the Secretary General we discussed the possibilities to remove the blockade for Macedonia to join NATO. Now in sports terms, it is our southern neighbor's turn, it needs to comply with the commitments and show a constructive approach in the entire process", the President added, voicing his expectation that other NATO member states should ask their partner to act responsibly towards its commitments, which, if respected, can result in a solution to the problem.

He urged NATO members to be constructive in reaching the long-awaited consensus, which is essential for Macedonia's membership in the Alliance.

"We are confident and sure that NATO is able to make correct decisions in very difficult times. Now is the moment to do the same for Macedonia, since it does not deserve to be kept outside of the Alliance forever", President Ivanov said, who thus invited the "friends of Athens" to sit and talk together in order to come to a solution the problem.

"Can you imagine that for 21 year there is no meeting between Macedonian and Greek President? I have invited four times the President of Greece, but he has four times refused me. Therefore I appeal to Greece to start acting responsibly towards us and find a solution that is in the interest of Greece itself, but also the region. We fulfill all membership criteria and it is time for it, so that the zone of peace in the Balkans can be expanded and the long period of traumas and conflicts is overcome. It is time the entire Balkans to live in peace", the Macedonian President said.

Question addressed to the NATO Secretary General, whether he expects Greece to start fulfilling its international commitments and respect the judgment of the International Court of Justice of the Hague, and thus stop blocking Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration, Rasmussen responded:

"There are three key points. I have a strong desire to see all Western Balkan countries in the Euro-Atlantic structures, in the European Union and NATO, and I want to see progress in this regard. Indeed, I have a strong desire to see your country as a member of NATO, given that you have met all the necessary criteria. But, the second point is the issue of the name. We all know it is very important that Skopje and Athens find a solution within the UN and I urge all leaders to make extra efforts to find a pragmatic solution. Third, all this depends on Skopje and Athens within the negotiations led under the auspices of the United Nations. We made a decision at the NATO Summit in Bucharest in 2008, we are ready to give an invitation to start accession negotiations with your country once a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue is found. We are ready to do so. The process is between Skopje and Athens and NATO's decision in Bucharest was supported by all members of the Alliance. All NATO decisions are made by consensus and we need the consent of all members for the start of negotiations", Rasmussen said.

President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, after the talks with Rasmussen, is scheduled to meet the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fule, at the European Commission, and the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz.