The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, for the second time patron of Galicnik wedding, today with his wife Maja, attended this traditional event, which this year marks its 50th anniversary. Congratulating the marriage, the President presented the newlyweds with a valuable icon, wishing them love and harmony in their common life.

The 27-year-old Danica Torteska and the 29-year-old Trajce Lozanoski, the bride and the groom this year, at the fifty anniversary of the first Galicnik wedding, crowned their love. This unique traditional wedding event in the village of Galicnik at the Mount Bistra was attended by more than two thousand guests, including ministers and representatives of the diplomatic corps and numerous tourists from the country and abroad.

“It is a great honor to be the patron of an event that is traditional. Galicnik wedding is an expression of our authenticity, preserved traditions, something that makes us special. This event is a good example of how future and younger generations should preserve tradition, and thus pay more attention to their own identity”, President Ivanov said.

Thirty customs typical for the Miaks, which began yesterday and continued throughout the day, ended up with the wedding in the church “Ss. Peter and Paul”.

This year the event was enriched with the participation of the members of the ensemble KUD "Koco Racin", with the performance of the folk dances "Teskoto" and "Nevestinsko", causing delight among the numerous audience with their dance skills and synchronization.

Galicnik wedding, as an event was first organized in 1963, and in the last five decades it has grown into a tourist attraction. It is consisted of 30 wedding customs from the Miak region. Weddings in Galichnik are always organized before or after the religious holiday St. Peter, when migrant workers return home.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Villa Biljana in Ohrid, received the members of the Macedonian national basketball team.

President Ivanov stressed that the failure to qualify for the coming Summer Olympic Games in London should not affect the future activities of the Macedonian national basketball team. – On the contrary, let this be an additional incentive for your future victories and successes, President Ivanov said. The citizens of the Republic of Macedonia will never forget the moments of happiness you gave to our nation at the last European Championships in Lithuania. We will always be with you, in defeats and in victories, President Ivanov stressed.

Future plans and activities of the Macedonian national basketball team were discussed at the meeting, anticipating the European Championship in Slovenia, which will be held next year.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in the Congress Centre in Ohrid, attended the opening ceremony of the 8th Macedonian - North American Conference, organized by the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” - Skopje. The conference was opened with the introductory words by the Rector of the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius”, Professor Dr. Velimir Stojkovski.

Academician Victor Friedman, recognized for his dedication and affirmation of Macedonia, promoted the Anthology of last year’s 7th Macedonian - North American Conference. President Ivanov appraised the continuing efforts of academician Friedman for affirmation of the Macedonian language, literature and culture.

The 8th Macedonian-North American Conference unifies many linguists and researchers from Macedonia, Europe and North America dealing with the specificities of the Macedonian language, who will, in the course of the following two days of the conference, present their professional views and research results related to the Macedonian language, literature, archeology, culture. The focus of the conference will also be the linguistic, literary, cultural and ethnic ties between Macedonia and the North American entities.

President Ivanov welcomed and talked with the conference participants, wishing them successful and fruitful work and cooperation in the future. He also stressed that such academic and scientific gatherings provide an extremely valuable contribution to the strengthening, preservation and affirmation of the Macedonian language, literature and culture.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in farewell visit, received the Ambassador of Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Alain Brian Bergant.

At the cordial meeting, the President thanked the Slovenian ambassador for his dedication and contribution to deepening the bilateral cooperation in almost all spheres, as well as for the continued and consistent support from Slovenia to unblock Macedonia’s integration processes.

At the farewell meeting, the two interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the current overall development of the Macedonian-Slovenian relations as stable and sincere partners, confirmed with the regular contacts at the highest level and the strategic cooperation in meeting common interest objectives.

President Ivanov and Ambassador Bergant stated that Slovenia is one of the most important trade partners and investors in Macedonia, but the potential for economic cooperation is not completely used, and therefore, to intensify this cooperation needs to be one of the main priorities of both countries in future. It was mutually concluded at the meeting that it is necessary the political, economic and cultural ties in the coming period to be further promoted.

President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the unreserved engagement of the Slovenian authorities in all EU institutions Macedonia to join the common European family of nations as soon as possible, and for the support that Slovenia strongly reaffirmed at the last NATO Summit in Chicago, with an expectation that the support will continue in the coming period with the same momentum.

The application of the Slovenian experiences and the assistance that the Republic of Macedonia receives greatly contribute to the utilization of the European Pre-Accession Funds, President Ivanov said at the meeting, thanking for the educational and technical assistance from Slovenia in reforming the Macedonian public administration.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, last night, in Villa Biljana in Ohrid, received a delegation of the Indian company “Sahara Group” led by the Indian tycoon Subrata Roy.

At the meeting with President Ivanov, members of the delegation led by the wife of Mr. Roy, Ms. Swapna Roy, vice president of the company, informed on the impressions of their working visit to the Republic of Macedonia as well as on the areas of interest to invest in the country.

President Ivanov, to the Indian delegation, expressed interest and readiness of the Republic of Macedonia to strengthen relations and cooperation with India, especially in the sphere of economy and culture. At the meeting they exchanged views and information on the potentials Macedonia has, the opportunities and advantages offered by this country for the foreign investors. President Ivanov stressed the efforts which the Government of the Republic of Macedonia continuously takes to create a better economic climate and to attract foreign investment.

Interlocutors from India said that because of the benefits offered and because of the opportunities and potentials the Republic of Macedonia has, their interest in investing in the country is evident and proven with the visit of the delegation of “Sahara Group”, in the hope that the established cooperation and interest will be materialized with concrete projects. President Ivanov expressed hope that such an exchange of economic delegations and intensified contacts will also be reflected on the overall Macedonian - Indian relations, which are traditionally friendly and with broad prospects for further enhancement.

The delegation comprising of 45 businessmen including eight company’s executive directors, is staying in Ohrid for five days in order to further analyze investment potential, especially in tourism, hotel and urban development. The visit of the Indian delegation aims to finalize the work initiated during the visit of Subrata Roy two weeks ago, to receive technical information with investment opportunities.

"Sahara Group" is the second largest commercial corporation in India, with an annual turnover of 25 billion dollars, and Subrata Roy is considered one of the most influential people in India, whose wealth is estimated at 65 billion dollars.

Along with the representatives of "Sahara Group" visiting Macedonia is a well-known film producer from India, part of the film group tasked to detect locations where in the future, some of the movies of the famous Boliwood production would eventually be shot.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Villa Biljana in Ohrid received representatives of the French Film Festival, which this year celebrates its 5th jubilee edition. The meeting was also attended by the Vice-President of Lower Normandy region, Ms. Corinne Ferret.

President Ivanov sent cordial greetings to the organizers of the festival, highlighting his pleasure of holding one of the most prestigious French film events in Macedonia which has already become a tradition.

The President also applauded on the cooperation in many fields with the Lower Normandy region, which, as he emphasized, is a confirmation of the commitment of our country to the Francophone values, and for the attention both sides devote to the development of close relations and cooperation between Macedonia and France.

Signing the agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Local Government of the Republic of Macedonia and the region of Lower Normandy, France, by the Minister for Local Government, Nevzat Bejta and the Vice President of Lower Normandy region, Corinne Ferret, the President assessed as yet another real step and contribution to the enhancement of cooperation and approximation of the cultures, values, ideas and ideals.

Cordial greetings were sent up to this year’s French Film Festival laureate, Mr. Jacques Doillon, a longtime present and recognized film artist, author of more than 30 films and winner of numerous festival awards.