The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and the EU Ambassador to Macedonia, Aivo Orav, today in the presidential cabinet Villa Vodno, symbolically exchanged the flags of the Republic of Macedonia and the EU, marking Europe’s Flag Day.

Both flags will be taken on top of Vodno by mountaineers, and as the President said, it demonstrates the path to Europe that Macedonia should pass to join the European family.

”Hopefully, one day our flag will stand together with all the flags of the European family and our citizens will enjoy all the benefits that European enjoy”, President Ivanov said, expressing hope that this event will encourage everyone to aspire for the top and to reach the values and benefits of other citizens of Europe.

During the flag exchange ceremony, President Ivanov told the Head of the EU Delegation that Macedonia’s flag should be together with other flags in Europe, where it belongs to naturally.

”We as a country are geographically part of Europe, in terms of cultural values and in every respect we belong to Europe”, President Ivanov stressed.

EU Ambassador Orav expressed his hope that this symbolic event will demonstrate that Macedonia will soon join the European family.

With an array of cultural, sporting and educational events in Skopje and in other cities across Macedonia the Europe Day, May 9th, is marked, celebrating unity and unification.

The mountaineering march, which started from the EU Office in Skopje, went to the Cabinet of the President, and than continued to the peak of Vodno, was organized by the European Movement of Macedonia and the EU Delegation.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today in his Cabinet received the students with the highest average grade (GPA) of the second year of studies at the faculties of social sciences at the South East European University.

President Ivanov noted that constant improvement of quality of education is of utmost importance, and, therefore, it is necessary to consider opinions and suggestions of students, future academic citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, having in mind that the future development of our society and country depends directly on them.

During the two-hour meeting with the President, 20 best students of social sciences presented their views, problems and challenges faced, but also their proposals for improvement of concrete processes and conditions in the higher education.

Liridona Veliu, Political Science student, said the youth is a huge resource of a state, but the lack of good perspective can also be a problem.

”I think such meetings with the President are really positive and a good opportunity to get him acquainted with our problems, expectations and what we want to be in the future. This is a good opportunity to meet people we only see on the TV screens”, Veliu said.

Among the general remarks presented by the students is the adaptation of the Bologna process in the Macedonian educational system - credit transfer system, student exchange and mobility. At the meeting with the President, the students expressed their interest in the possibilities for scholarships, education continuation and advancement in the European scientific centers, which would enable them to transfer their experiences gained abroad in our state.

"We do not see our prospects only in Macedonia but also abroad, we would like to see what we can learn and provide our contribution to our country", student Arijeta Rexhepi said. She added that the meeting with President Ivanov is a good opportunity to discuss how their problems could be solved.

According to the students of the South East European University, social sciences in our country are generally underestimated with limited prospects for employment, which raises additional questions about their future after graduation. President Ivanov told them not to lose hope and with their knowledge they would be able to make a break through in the social hierarchy, because quality is always needed and appreciated. Since you are among the best students provides you good chances to be successful in life, President Ivanov said.

It is also of students' interest to have greater opportunities for practice and practical training. They put the emphasis on the quality of mandatory practice and noted that the practical lessons organized by the faculties are often ineffective. Students indicated the need for appointment a mentor within the company or institution where the practice takes place, which will lead them through the practical experience.

President Ivanov congratulated the students on their success, saying that he is glad to hear open discussion on their problems and challenges, which indicates their willingness to contribute to improving the overall educational system.

"You are a generation of audio-visual media, and in such conditions access to information and knowledge is great. Through internet you can find information about scholarships and other opportunities for studying and training. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia also grants about 200 scholarships annually to study abroad", the President said and encouraged students to apply.

The students were unanimous in their position that they are honored that the President showed interest and concern for their students' everyday life and the curricula and teaching program for upgrading their knowledge, and expressed support for future similar meetings. They also expressed gratitude to President Ivanov on awarding the Order of Merit to the SEEU, marking the 10th anniversary of the founding of the University.

If international law and undertaken obligations are respected, it is possible for Macedonia to achieve progress at the upcoming EU Council in June, said today in Vilnius the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov after the meeting with the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Ms. Dalia Grybauskaite.

”The Baltic States support is crucial for us because it rests upon a positive example already applied in the enlargement. If we respect the obligations we have taken, if we observe the positive examples and the legal framework, start of accession negotiations is possible. We hope it is possible to find a solution but we should see the reaction of the other states”, President Ivanov said answering the question whether there are real chances to lobby for support for Macedonia to be given a date for negotiations before the European Council in June.

The three Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia urged in a joint statement sent to the Danish Presidency, Macedonia’s issue to be included in the agenda in June and a date to be set for the country for launching membership negotiations. However, the name dispute remains a key barrier in the Macedonian integrations. Lithuanian President said that the compromise could be found only by Macedonia and Greece, but if both sides are willing to resolve the issue. She also stressed that if there is no resolution of the name issue, politically Macedonia’s membership in the EU would be impossible.

”Everywhere in Europe, relations remain very vulnerable, whether your or our case is concerned. But I would like to say, nobody but you can find a compromise and solution with your neighbor. No one on your behalf will live your life and find the solution. In Europe all countries live on the basis of finding a compromise in the relationships. Both sides need to accede to a compromise, but both countries should be willing to reach a compromise and willingness to resolve the issue. If there is no willingness to resolve any issue, there will be no solution. I cannot advise anybody specifically how to act concretely; it is up to you and the Greek government, as you will live together in future. But to be in the EU, you need to find a compromise with Greece. Without such a solution, politically, practically, it would be impossible to think of membership”, the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaite, assessed, stressing that Lithuania was in a similar situation and that its neighbors not always had understanding.

As Latvian President Berzins, today the Head of the Lithuanian state expressed open support for Macedonia's integration, too.

"Lithuania is a supporter of Macedonia and Macedonian preparations for EU and NATO accession. Lithuania supports Macedonia's efforts to join these two institutions. We train Macedonian civil servants and we try to be instrumental on your road to the EU. There are many things to share with you and it is necessary to do so", Grybauskaite said.

President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the given assistance so far and for the principled support of Lithuania in terms of the European integrations and expressed hope that the relations between the two countries will be enhanced in other areas as well, noting that the Baltic is a positive example and therefore expressed his expectation that the Balkans would experience the success of this region too.

Both presidents did not forget the basketball victory of the Macedonian national team in Vilnius, being a reason and motif plus Lithuania to better acquaint Macedonia. Ivanov and Grybauskaite expressed expectation that the relations between both countries in the field of sport will be further promoted.

Asked to comment whether they will attend the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the countries of Central and South East Europe in Yalta, considering that some of the EU presidents rejected participation because of the tensions in Ukraine, President Ivanov said that he has received an invitation and he announced his participation, but Macedonia closely monitors the situation and will act according to the country's interests. The President of Lithuania replied that she agreed to participate, thus suggesting that Ukraine still needs to act in accordance with the democratic principles and to respect human rights, because the country will prosper in terms of integration only if supported by other countries.

During the visit of the Macedonian delegation to Lithuania, the Deputy Ministers of Culture of both countries signed a bilateral cooperation agreement between the two governments in the field of culture as a step towards strengthening relations between both countries.

With his meeting with the Lithuanian President, President Ivanov finished the Baltic tour. Intensified diplomatic activities of the Macedonian state leadership aim at intensified lobbying before the NATO Summit in Chicago and the upcoming EU Council in June.

Negotiations on bilateral name dispute and EU integration of the Republic of Macedonia should be held as two parallel processes, assessed the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania. After today’s meeting with Macedonia’s President Gjorge Ivanov, who is paying a working visit to Lithuania, the Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament and Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs, Ceslovas Stankevicius said that the name issue should not hinder Macedonia’s EU integration process, whereas the UN-led talks and the pre-accession talks for membership of Macedonia in the EU should be held in parallel.

This position, as a joint statement of the Heads of Foreign Affairs Committee of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, has been submitted to the Danish counterpart, Eva Kjer Hansen, as well as to the Conference of the Committees of the National Parliaments of the European Union Member States (COSAC) meeting, held in Copenhagen.

The three Baltic countries, in a joint letter, urge the Danish Presidency at the next European Union Council in June to include in the agenda the issue of launching accession talks with Macedonia, and to get a positive decision thereon by the Council.

”Along with the other countries, primarily with the two other Baltic states, we have expressed our support for starting accession negotiations with Macedonia. Recently, all the Baltic States signed a special statement which was submitted to the COSAC Conference in Copenhagen. We strongly support Macedonia’s EU membership, and we believe that the name issue should be resolved in parallel, without hindering the integration process”, said the Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament, Ceslovas Stankevicius, after the meeting with Ivanov.

In the joint statement, the Baltic States stress that bilateral dispute should be resolved within existing relevant agreements.

We believe that the existing difference between the parties over the name of the candidate country should not impede or affect the start of the accession talks with the EU, and to be resolved in separate negotiations in good faith pursuant to the UN Resolution 817 (1993) and the Interim Accord of 13 September 1995. Any mutually acceptable solution to the name issue under UN auspices, should be supported and accepted, reads the letter.

It is stated in the common statement that the EU institutions have on several occasions welcomed Macedonia’s progress in key reform areas and that the country has been fulfilling the undertaken obligations under the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

Also the signatories underline the European Commission recommendation to start negotiations with Macedonia, and the conclusion of the meeting of the Council on December 5, 2011, which states that the Council is willing to revisit this issue during the next presidency.

At the meeting, Macedonian President Ivanov and Lithuanian Deputy Speaker Stankevicius expressed satisfaction with the initiated cooperation at parliamentary level and interest of strengthening the political dialogue and cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest. Lithuania, also expressed willingness to share their experience and expertise.

Ivanov in Vilnius today met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audronius Azhubalis and with the President of the Lithuanian Parliament, Irena Degutiene. The name issue, the efforts to unblock the integrations, the ICJ ruling, were among the discussion topics, whereas President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the current support.

With tomorrow’s meeting with the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaite, President Ivanov will finish his Baltic tour. During the visit, Deputy Ministers of Culture of Macedonia and Lithuania will sign a bilateral cooperation agreement between the two governments in the field of culture.

Intensified diplomatic activities of the Macedonian state leadership aim at lobbying support for Macedonia on the eve of NATO Summit in Chicago and the upcoming European Council in Brussels.

Latvia is a friendly country trying to help Macedonia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integrations, sharing a feeling and understanding for the needs of our region. This is the general conclusion of President Ivanov following the two-day official visit to Latvia.

”Latvia and Lithuania are countries we can learn a lot from in terms of their experience in the Euro-Atlantic integration, but also how they cope in this period of global economic crisis. There is the expected support from them and we have the opportunity to stay in friendly countries willing to help because they feel the needs of their region, but the ability to help our region. So it comes to regional cooperation, exchange of experience on regional level, but also support and help in our efforts to be part of the European family”, President Ivanov said finishing his visit to Latvia, adding that Macedonia after a long absence renews the political dialogue at the highest level which was initiated by President Boris Trajkovski, 12 years ago.

The support for Macedonia’s NATO membership was yesterday explicitly acknowledged by the Head of the Latvian state, President Berzins, emphasizing that inter alia, Latvia has made available all its experience in the field of European integrations.

After a long period of stagnation in bilateral relations between Latvia and Macedonia, the visit of the Macedonian President opens up an opportunity to start intensive governmental cooperation and enhancement of trade between both countries.

President Ivanov had a meeting today with the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, Solvita Aboltina, where the commitments of both sides to further expand inter-parliamentary cooperation were confirmed.

Despite intensification of economic cooperation, which is symbolic at this point, Latvia and Macedonia jointly pledged to expand cooperation in the spheres of education, culture, health. After signing of the Agreement on International Road Transport, today Macedonia initiated signing of an international agreement in the sphere of culture. This possibility was discussed in details by the delegations at the working lunch hosted by the Latvian Minister of Culture, Zaneta Jaunzeme-Grende.

From Latvia, Ivanov is going to pay a working visit to Lithuania, and with this he will comple his Baltic tour, aimed at intensified lobbying in anticipation of the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago.

Latvia will support Macedonia’s NATO membership at the upcoming Summit in Chicago, and makes its experience regarding the European integration process fully available to the Republic of Macedonia. This was stated at a joint press conference in Riga by the President of the Republic of Latvia, Andris Berzins, after the meeting with the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who is paying his first official visit to this Baltic country.

”Latvia is ready to support Macedonia’s NATO accession because of its contribution, particularly as part of international peacekeeping forces, which is enormous and I personally stressed this during my visit to Afghanistan in one of the hospitals, where I met medical personnel from Macedonia. They play an important role in Afghanistan and in the processes taking place there since 2002”, the Head of the Latvian state said, responding to a journalist question - whether Latvia is ready to raise the issue of Macedonia at the Summit in Chicago, following the judgment of the International Court of Justice, which is in favor of Macedonia.

At the meeting, the two presidents discussed possibilities to deepen and improve bilateral relations, European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia as well as the imposed dispute by Greece on Macedonia’s constitutional name.

”We discussed this issue as an obstacle to our integration in NATO and the EU. We expect support and help from all our friends at the upcoming Summit if the issue of enlargement or Macedonia’s membership is open. I hope this visit will further boost good bilateral relations and that our governments will proceed with intensive cooperation, that we will be able to finalize the legal framework and sign the necessary agreements so that our citizens, businessmen, our students, professors could find interest for mutual cooperation and our countries could advance and use the existing potential”, President Ivanov said, extending his gratitude for the overall support of Latvia.

Asked by Latvian journalist whether there is progress in solving the name issue, President Ivanov said that despite initiatives by the Macedonian side, there is a lack of optimistic announcements by Greece that the dispute could be resolved quickly.

"There are many initiatives on our part because we are concerned. Unfortunately, on the other hand, there are no optimistic announcements that we may come to a solution. The UN representative, mediator Nimetz, visited our two countries and initiated meetings at the highest level. But due to the current situation in Greece and the upcoming elections, we do not expect to get a positive answer", President Ivanov said.

Latvian President Berzins said that Macedonia, since its independence until today, has gained enough experience and capacity to start accession negotiations.

"As for us, we would be really happy if we can help. Our experience can be very helpful for you to avoid mistakes we made", President Berzins said, noting the similarity between the two countries.

In the focus of the talks of both presidents was the economic cooperation, above all, the possibility of its enhancement. The presidents agreed that common interest of both countries is finding new opportunities for economic cooperation through exchange of experience, association of companies and joint investments.

"Unfortunately, the current economic cooperation between both countries is symbolic. Therefore it is necessary to leave room for businesspeople to contribute to increasing trade cooperation, and products from both countries to be present at our markets", President Ivanov said, adding that, among other things, with his Latvian counterpart, discussed cooperation in the sphere of culture and education.

At the first official visit to the Republic of Latvia, President Ivanov was welcomed with the highest state and military honors, and his reception at the Riga Castle was broadcasted by the Latvian national television.

Today, the Head of the Macedonian state had a working lunch with the Latvian Prime Minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, who expressed full readiness to intensify cooperation with the Macedonian Government at all levels, including cooperation in economy, education, culture, health and justice. Prime Minister Dombrovskis expressed readiness to share Latvian experience in the terms of accession negotiations for EU membership and use of European funds.

President Ivanov called for Latvia's principled support for Macedonia's membership in NATO and the EU to continue in future and to be intensified, aiming at unblocking of Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration in the upcoming critical period. The bilateral dispute with Greece over Macedonia's constitutional name was discussed at the meeting, as well as our expectations of the NATO summit and the European Council in June.

President Ivanov and Prime Minister Dombrovskis expressed mutual satisfaction that after a longer period, political and economic cooperation between both countries is renewed.

Among the members of the delegation led by President Ivanov is the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mile Janakieski, who signed an Agreement on International Road Transport today with his Latvian counterpart, which introduced liberalization of bilateral and transit transport of goods between both countries without transport permits.

President Ivanov tomorrow in Riga will meet the Speaker of the Republic of Latvia, and afterwards he is going to pay a working visit to Lithuania, as part of his Baltic tour.