We live in a world in which the defence of our security begins far beyond the boundaries of our homeland. You have been chosen to perform this difficult but noble task, shoulder to shoulder with our NATO allies, with the armies of the biggest democratic forces. You are the Macedonian shield defending peace and freedom of Macedonia and of the wider region - said the President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov at the send-off ceremony for the new contingent of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in the ISAF peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan held in the barracks “Kuzman Josifovski – Pitu” in Tetovo.

Macedonia, as President Ivanov stressed, is part of the global coalition of nations sharing the same values and ideals - peace and stability in the world, promotion of freedom and democracy and protection of innocent victims from violence.

”That is the reason why this mission enjoys full support of the Macedonian citizens”, the President said, adding that Macedonia as a partner and ally of the anti-terrorist coalition in Afghanistan will remain as long as necessary and will follow the trend of transition and handover of the overall governance to the Afghan people in accordance with Macedonia’s interests.

”I had the opportunity to visit your fellow soldiers in Kabul and the troops in the mission in Sarajevo. I can freely say that there are no better, braver and more virtuous soldiers than the Macedonian peacekeepers. I am honored to be your Commander in Chief. I would like to publicly honor and appraise all Army troops who have thus far invested great efforts and commitment during their engagement in the missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lebanon. They have contributed to the establishment of peace in the countries where they served, promoting our country internationally, the Macedonian President said.

The send-off ceremony for the new contingent, besides the President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was attended by the Defence Minister Fatmir Besimi, the Chief of Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, Major General Goranco Koteski and his deputy, Major General Naser Sejdini, the commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Methodija Velichkovski.

The soldiers of the new contingent to leave for Afghanistan, for the first time at today's ceremony in Tetovo, were dressed in the new uniforms with authentic digital pattern, which they will wear during their service in the peacekeeping mission.

The twelfth rotation that will last from January to June this year involves 149 members of Tetovo garrison from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade who will be deployed within the contingent of the Army of the United Kingdom and will secure the main command of ISAF forces in Kabul.

Macedonian leopards will secure and patrol the military base and facilities vital to the life of the Afghan people; they will secure communications and areas and will perform other tasks depending on the needs of the mission. Beside them in the rotation, a mentoring team will be deployed for training Afghan security forces, and during this period they will be located in Mazar-e Sharif, within the Regional Command West under the leadership of the German armed forces.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Fatmir Besimi, and the Chief of Staff, Major General Goranco Koteski, today visited the members of the Air Wing of the Army at the barracks “Strasho Pindzur” in Petrovec, who were on duty during the holidays, and had lunch together with them.

”Traditionally, as Supreme Commander, I spend the first day of the new year with the members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. This time I am with the members of the Air Wing Staff. Congratulating them the New Year, I extend greetings to all members of the Army, especially to the troops deployed in the international peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lebanon”, President Ivanov said after meeting the Army pilots.

The Army, the President said, remains committed to keeping peace, freedom and democracy and it reflects the state of play in our society.

Asked if he expects the name issue with our southern neighbor to be resolved this year, the Head of State noted that when New Year comes we are all filled with optimism.

”I expect the process on settling the name issue to continue. We will do everything in our capacity. We expect the same to be done by the other side, but, unfortunately, with their current conduct, we cannot see that they are being equally committed as we are”, President Ivanov stressed.

He pointed out that Macedonia is ready at any moment to resume negotiations in the UN, mediated by Ambassador Matthew Nimetz. “Ambassador Zoran Jolevski is monitoring all developments and informs us of everything concerning the negotiation process”, President Ivanov said.

In terms of expectations, I expect Macedonia this year to formally join NATO, the Head of State responded that it is up to NATO to decide.

”We expect the judgment in the Hague to affect the decision to join the Alliance at the NATO Summit which will be held in Chicago this year, but it is up to NATO to decide. We have a decision at the NATO Summit and that decision may be changed only at a new summit”, President Ivanov said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, along with his spouse Ms. Maja Ivanova, and accompanied by the Mayor of Skopje, Koce Trajanovski and his family, celebrated the New 2012 at the Square “Macedonia”.

As in many other world capitals, the New Year celebration at the Skopje Square was attended by many citizens, who shared their energy and best wishes on the threshold of the New Year.

As a contribution to the promotion of our musicians, within the New Year’s music program, a great number of Macedonian artists were part of the performance. The citizens of Skopje at the Square were amused by: Karolina Goceva, Esma Redzepova, Elena Risteska, Laura Krliu, Vlatko Ilievski Vlado Janevski, Lambe Alabakovski, Garo Tavitjan, Toni Zen and Full Stop Band.

The celebration of the New 2012 at the Square “Macedonia”, enriched with the New Year market, entertainment for the youngest and a New Year concert in the centre of Skopje, was marked with socializing and memorable moments for all generations.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and his Spouse Maja Ivanova, visited today the Pediatric Clinic in Skopje and distributed more than hundred Christmas presents to the sick children, congratulating them the New Year and wishing them faster recovery and careless and joyful childhood.

“This year we are visiting this Clinic, wishing the youngest lots of health in the New Year, because these children expect it most. We wish them and their parents as soon as possible to see their children at home, to be with them, to rejoice, and may the next year bring lots of health because this is their greatest wish”, President Ivanov said.

The President added that the goal is such New Year’s visits to become a tradition and to embellish the sick children the day before New Year so that they feel that with its arrival their wishes will be met.

President Ivanov recently gave Christmas presents to children at the Institute of Lung Diseases - Kozle and to children of the deceased defenders and members of the Army in missions abroad.
 

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, along with the members of the Ivanov School of Leaders Alumni Association, today visited the Children’s Institute of Lung Diseases -Kozle. They wished the children treated at the Institute a sooner recovery and distributed 100 Christmas presents.

The President of the Ivanov School of Leaders Alumni Association (ISLAA), Daniel Gjokjeski noted that, in a Christmas ambience, they gave presents to children from their sponsors and partners Mak Progress, Vincinni and Alkaloid, as well as Becutan.

He stressed that the members of the Alumni Association have a desire to help as many groups as possible from the Macedonian society who need happiness, support, joy and friendship in this time of the year. 

The Director of the Children's Institute of Lung Diseases –Kozle, Oliver Zafirovski noted that humanity is always very important in such moments.

Currently, at the Institute, 75 children are treated, but there is a tendency that number today to be reduced, thus many of the children can welcome the New Year with their loved ones at home.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia Hall attended the Christmas performance, organized for the children of the fallen members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the children of the members of the Army serving in missions abroad.

President Ivanov wished the children the coming year to be filled with health, happiness, success in learning and joyful childhood filled with laughter.

After the New Year’s reception and performance with Santa Claus in the Army Hall, the children were given Christmas presents by President Ivanov.

The reception was also attended by the Chief of Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, Mayor General Goranco Koteski.