The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Skopje today officially opened the European challenge in entrepreneurship, organized by Junior Achievement - Young Enterprise Europe, which is hind for the first time in our country, under his patronage.

"In times of economic crisis and the steady growth of unemployment among young people as a particularly vulnerable socio-economic category, it is the European challenge that will assure us that with proper education and motivation, there are no crises and limitation of entrepreneurial thinking", President Ivanov said at the opening of the event.

70 young entrepreneurs and students from 12 European countries, under the mentorship of their professors and with the support of the business volunteers will present a total of 16 business ideas to the international jury. This competition is part of Junior Achievement Start Up Program, which is implemented globally and in 2011 it has mobilized more than 3,000,000 young entrepreneurs.

The purpose of the challenge is to enable young entrepreneurs to develop innovative business concepts that will be presented to the international jury consisted of managers of corporations and companies, but also to potential investors, each of them having fictional € 100,000 to invest. The best project idea this year will receive an award of € 1,000, and special prizes from the sponsors Intel, TTK Bank and the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Learning Support Centre.

At the official opening of the challenge, President Ivanov said that Macedonia has been intensively working on educating young people to develop entrepreneurial skills, and the general potentials in the economy.

"The role of all non-governmental organizations in this area is welcome, especially when international networks with extensive experience and successful practice are involved", President Ivanov said who visited the stands of young entrepreneurs from Macedonia and Europe.

Jasmina Maneva, executive director of the NGO Economic Education - Junior Achievement Macedonia, and a host of today's event, said that education is one of the major factors that can contribute to the development of entrepreneurship.

"The goals of our organization are fostering entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy and empowerment of youth to enter the labor market well prepared... Best Business Plan challenge is a great opportunity to encourage their creativity and innovativeness, and motivation to start thinking about self-employment in the future", Maneva said.

This year, 10,000 students from 16 countries from Europe founded 1,400 start-up businesses which were aided by 1,500 volunteers and 250 professional teachers of Junior Achievement - Young Enterprise Europe.

The economic boom that Kazakhstan has made, as well as the primate it has as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, for Macedonia is an additional incentive to maximize economic cooperation and attract Kazakh investments, said today in Astana the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, at the joint press conference with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

President Ivanov, who is paying a two-day official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, said that the meeting with his host noted that relations between Macedonia and Kazakhstan are traditionally friendly and progressing, and that with the signing of the three agreements in the economic area, a legal framework for cooperation between the two economies has been established, which would be beneficial for the citizens of both countries.

“I regret we failed to establish contacts earlier. Lost time must be compensated”, the Macedonian President said. He also said that although Macedonia and Kazakhstan are geographically distant, there are many similarities between the two countries and a common desire for comprehensive development of mutual relations.

“Both Macedonia and Kazakhstan are a bridge of civilization and cultural cooperation between East and West. Both countries play an important and crucial role in their regions”, President Ivanov stressed.

The Head of Macedonian state reminded that Macedonia is practically implementing the dialogue among civilizations as its regional project to promote ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, and invited President Nazarbayev to attend the next Summit of this initiative.

"Macedonia is an example of interethnic coexistence, thanks to the unique model of integration without assimilation we managed to establish, maintain and upgrade", President Ivanov said.

The two presidents at the meeting discussed the possibilities for cooperation in the field of culture, science and education, and, as President Ivanov emphasized, it is necessary to improve the legal framework, intensify political dialogue, frequent meetings, exchange of visits and personal contacts. In this context, the Macedonian President outlined the possibilities for visits of Kazakh tourists to Macedonia.

"I am pleased with the conviction I received from your president that Kazakhstan will be our future and sincere partner in several areas", President Ivanov said, adding that although the strategic goals of Macedonia are full-fledged membership in NATO and the EU, the country pursues a policy of friendship and openness to the whole world: "to the East and West, to all successful, sincere and open to cooperate".

Nazarbayev stressed that Macedonia is most probably one of the most important friends of Kazakhstan, emphasizing the interest of the country in strengthening economic cooperation and relations. The Kazakh President stressed that, from their side, there is interest to cooperate in the sphere of energy, textile and pharmaceutical industry, construction and agriculture.

According to Nazarabaev, of particular importance to strengthening relations between both countries will be intensification of cooperation in the sphere of culture, tourism, education and science.

During the visit of President Ivanov to Kazakhstan, the Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Petrov, who is part of the official Macedonian delegation, signed three agreements in the economic sphere between the Macedonian and the Kazakhstan government. Deputy Minister Petrov and the Kazakh Minister of Finance, Bolat Zamishev signed an Agreement on Double Taxation Avoidance and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to income taxes. The Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Aset Isekeshev, signed the Agreement on Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments, and the Minister for Economic Development and Trade, Bakidzhan Sagintav, the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

This afternoon, as part of his first official visit to Kazakhstan, President Ivanov will meet the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Karim Masimov and the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Senate, Kairat Mami, and will address the Macedonian-Kazakh business forum, where Macedonia's investment opportunities will be presented to the Kazakh businessmen.

Besides Deputy Foreign Minister Petrov, a member of the delegation accompanying President Ivanov during the official visit to Kazakhstan is the Director of the Technological and Industrial Development Zones, Viktor Mizo.

Macedonia has thus far demonstrated European behavior, the Macedonian President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov said at the official opening of the 23rd Annual Session of Crans Montana Forum in Baku.

Ivanov, answering the question whether he sees Macedonia’s future in Europe, he stressed that it was a question for all EU member states why the country has still not been given a date for EU accession negotiations.

He congratulated the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic, who also attended the Forum, on the announced accession talks date, adding that Macedonia deserves the same.

“Each country can block other country in the Balkans. We have never blocked anyone and Macedonia has always demonstrated how a country should treat other religions, other ethnic and linguistic groups, and how prosperity can be achieved in time of barriers”, President Ivanov added.

He also stressed that Macedonia has built a model of integration without assimilation and an inclusive model of democracy.

“Following the 2001 conflict, we drafted a Framework Agreement, which should be a model for Europe how to treat diversities. However, our future is blocked due to an irrational dispute. It is not possible for me to prove that I speak Macedonian language, that I come from a country named Macedonia, a country that was, is and will remain to be Macedonia. We cannot be anything else”, the Macedonian President told current and former heads of state and government, and representatives of international organizations.

The President said that instead of supporting prosperity and development, Europe shows solidarity with a member-state that “gives us and the entire region problems”.

Ivanov emphasized that the Balkan region, which is a mix of different cultures, languages and religions, can live in peace only when in open space. He stressed that the European idea for the Balkans is needed as a peace idea.

“Our economies in times of crisis function as the European economy. Our budget deficit is within the European standards, but we are blocked from being part of an open space. Europe is the one that can open this space, because when the space is open, people’s minds are open, too. Einstein once said “The mind is like parachute; it functions only when open””, President Ivanov said, adding that Europe should deal with its members that do not promote an open mind.


President Ivanov said that Macedonia and Greece are closely related in various spheres, emphasizing that the Macedonian citizens traditionally travel on holiday in Greece and the biggest investors in Macedonia are Greek businessmen. At one university in Thessaloniki, in the last five or six years, there are more than thousands of Macedonian postgraduate students.

“We are helping the Greek economy, but the Greek politicians still live in the 19 century categories, by denying one’s right of self-identification. It is a fundamental human right. The time when ones identity was determined by others has long before gone to the past”, President Ivanov stressed.

He also added that all EU member states are responsible for whatever is happening to Macedonia regarding its EU membership.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today visited Dojran and the Army unit engaged in cleaning and rearranging the beach in Sretenovo.

Accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Major General Goranco Koteski, President Ivanov walked along the path from the State residence in Dojran to the beach rearranged by the soldiers, in collaboration with the local government, as part of project of the Municipality of Dojran for rearranging the coast of the Lake Dojran.

On the activities of the soldiers, on the ground, the president was informed by the commander of the Joint Operational Command of the Army, Brigadier General Metodija Velickovski.

“For already two months the soldiers are working on revitalization of the coast line in order to deepen civil-military cooperation. Particularly positive is that the operators of machinery must be very well trained. I believe that the effects are visible. The plan does not stop here. After completing the activities in Dojran, we will continue in Kicevo, Kodzadzik, in the barracks in Prilep and wherever there is a need of us”, said Brigadier General Velickovski.

President Ivanov finalized his visit to Dojran with a tour of the military camp in Mrdaja, which is being rearranged according to the needs of the Army and would become fully operational by July 15, 2012.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today visited the municipality of Zelenikovo. Mayor Vele Gruevski presented the current and future projects of the municipality, including the draft plan for building a cultural and recreational center over the archeological site “Gradiste” in the village Taor.

President Ivanov also met with local businessmen who indicated all potentials available to the municipality and the opportunities for new jobs. The President during the visit visited one of the families who grow crops with hazelnuts and was informed of the excellent production conditions and the possibility for good earnings of this activity.

The President, accompanied by the Italian Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Fabio Christiani, visited the site “Gradiste” and the location where the cultural and recreational center will be built.

“This location over Taor, where the Mayor is promoting the cultural and recreational complex, should be a tourist attraction because it is assumed to be the birthplace of Emperor Justinian I. All these previous research suggest a rich life in the past in this area, and all these potentials offer perspective this region to attract not only domestic but also foreign tourists”, President Ivanov said.

The Head of State visited and the only factory in Macedonia for production of computer micro-chips, which is located in the village Oresani and has about 150 employees. President Ivanov had the opportunity to visit the new tennis court in Oresani, and presented the young tennis players with tennis balls.

Asked about the request of the Foundation Open Society Institute not to sign the Law on Lustration, the President expressed his position:

"I got and read the letter, but I read the law, too. Everyone holding public office shall be subject to public scrutiny. Macedonia, with such a law and with everything taken so far, creates an ambiance that everyone who wants to deal with a public function to be subject to public accountability", President Ivanov said.

For the upcoming meeting of the Council of the European Union, President Ivanov expressed his expectation that the integrations of Macedonia will finally be unblocked, urging the European Union not to act as a hostage to the irresponsible behavior of certain politicians.

"Our state has met all criteria and requirements. If the obligations of the Interim Accord and the ruling of the International Court of Justice are respected, everyone will benefit - Europe and the region, and finally it will be proven that what is true for all countries will be applied for Macedonia, too", President Ivanov said.