The Alliance of and the Dialogue among Civilizations are exactly the ideas we have been missing for a long time. Therefore, my country - the Republic of Macedonia - aware of its unique reality, is ready to share its precious experiences in this sphere, being active and dedicated participant in these initiatives, President Gjorge Ivanov said Sunday at the fourth summit of the Alliance of Civilizations, taking place in the Qatari capital of Doha on December 11-13.

Talking at a panel under the theme ‘Intercultural Dialogue to Boost Development’ the Macedonian president highlighted that today, more than ever, top level meetings are necessary for comprehending the values of our cultures and the challenges they have been facing.

Knowing each other better will contribute to find out that the principles cherished by all people, regardless of their origin, are the same - desire for freedom, equality, respect and dignity, Ivanov said, expressing believe that the communal spirit of people will prevail.

Cooperation and acceptance of the world of diversities always produce lasting values and essential wisdom, the President said. "Our goal here and now is to reaffirm the need of building new close ties with other religions and civilizations," he said.

Jorge Sampaio, former president of Portugal and high representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, said this was the first time for an Arab country to host an AOC forum. Several months after the 'Arab Spring', the AOC Forum in Doha will promote a platform for the common values - human dignity, dialogue, democracy, development, justice, equality and freedom, he said.

Now, when the world is going through serious changes, is the right time for action, said HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. The new way of thinking and innovative approach are urgently needed to deal with the growing challenges in the spheres of education, health care, poverty, youth, media and culture, she said.

Over 2,500 political and corporate leaders, civil society activists, youth groups, faith communities, research centers, foundations, journalists, ministers, and heads of state have come together at the UNAOC Forum to agree on joint actions to improve relations across cultures, combat prejudice and build lasting peace.

Hosted by the ruling Emir of the State of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Forum counts among its attendees UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and several Heads of State,  inter alia, the Presidents of Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Romania and Albania.

At the forum, the participants will make headway for global intercultural dialogue to emerge as a key driver for development. They will also tackle issues as the promotion of trust and tolerance for advancement of the development goals, and outline new strategies for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation.

The Alliance of Civilizations is an international initiative instigated by the United Nations in 2005 by the then Secretary General Kofi Anan, sponsored by Spain and Turkey.  UNAOC's primary goal is to contribute to the development of cooperation and better mutual understanding among countries, more effective dealing with divisions, polarization and extremism within and between societies. The previous three forums were held in Madrid, Istanbul and Rio de Janeiro.

Macedonia's participation in all UNAOC forums has been demonstrating the country's commitment to this international initiative. In 2003 Macedonia's best holiday resort Ohrid hosted the first regional Dialogue Among Civilizations Forum, one of its most successful actions in regional cooperation efforts. In 2013 President Ivanov will host this summit, as he is engaged in UNAOC projects, as the recent scientific symposium in Paris. Macedonia also hosted two World Conferences on Dialogue Among Religions and Civilizations.

On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd, the National Association of People with Physical Disabilities “Mobility Macedonia”, with the support of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, organized a donor exhibition of 67 works of art created at the art colony in April 2011.

This exhibition, yet another testament to the universality of art, has brought together academic painters and talented people with physical disabilities who were part of this initiative.

”Painting engages a person with physical disability entirely and changes his emotional state, while he creates he forgets his disability, there is the sense of self-reliance, self-confidence and perseverance. It is very important especially in the process of rehabilitation which is often related with great mental effort that the person with physical disability cannot quickly and suddenly overcome”, said in his opening address at the opening of the exhibition the President of “Mobility Macedonia”, Branimir Jovanovski.

He also expressed gratitude that this donor exhibition, organized on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the association, is supported by the President, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov.

Art works created through the prism of people with disabilities, will decorate the walls of all humane people who will recognize in them authors’ associations and feelings. One of the donors of this exhibition is President Ivanov, who bought a painting and supported this humanitarian initiative.

Tonight’s donor exhibition was attended by representatives from the business sector and the diplomatic corps, and other donors and buyers of paintings. The funds collected from the sale of paintings will go to support activities for persons with disabilities within the working program of “Mobility of Macedonia”.

If the judgment of the International Court of Justice, which is to be delivered on Monday, is positive for Macedonia, then it is expected to be reflected at the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago next year, President and Supreme Commander of the Macedonian Armed Forces Gjorge Ivanov stated today, following his regular working visit to the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

Asked by a journalist about his expectations involving Republic of Macedonia’s membership into the Alliance at the upcoming Summit, he reminded that the ICJ ruling is related to the blockade established for Macedonia at the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest.

“The latest developments in our country’s surrounding, those separate cases, are isolated cases. The situation in northern Kosovo will be hopefully settled through a dialogue”, President Ivanov said stressing that the entire region lives in a different ambience, and that the Republic of Macedonia has a significant contribution in preventing the scenarios of only 10 years ago to happen again.

The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today paid a working visit to the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. Focus of today’s talks with the Minister of Defence, Fatmir Besimi, was the new formation setup and the involvement of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in international missions in 2012, as well as analysis of defence diplomacy, defence budget and the priorities of the Ministry of Defence and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia for the year 2012.

President Ivanov praised the fact that after several years of cutting, the defence budget will be increased for next year, something that would be reflected on the overall climate in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and will enable, next year, the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia to be marked as it fits an army that is ready to be a NATO member.

”Taking into consideration the participation and commitments we have undertaken and fulfilled, we act as a NATO member. Our peacekeepers take part in peacekeeping missions, which particularly goes for the ISAF mission where 161 soldiers will be deployed next year, whereas our participation in UN-led peacekeeping operations is foreseen to be increased, too”, President Ivanov said after his regular working visit to the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

He also stressed that the Army is an institution most trusted by the citizens, and expressed his hope that this perception will resume.

In support of the celebration of the World AIDS Day, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, attended the humanitarian concert of opera arias, held in the Macedonian Opera and Ballet.

The President stressed that HIV and AIDS are no longer taboo in the society, but unfortunately for some of our citizens are a reality and a struggle till the end of their lives. Today, modern medical technology allows HIV positive people to lead a normal life, but - as President stressed – we all should provide our contribution in fighting stigma and discrimination.

He also urged all citizens to be better informed and to protect themselves and their families, because prevention is always better choice than treatment. President Ivanov also called for greater solidarity and support for HIV positive people.

The humanitarian concert, aiming at promotion of awareness of social responsibility towards HIV, was organized by HERA - Health Education and Research Association, in cooperation with the Macedonian Opera and Ballet, and with the support of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, UNAIDS, the private sector and media. The slogan of this year’s celebration of the World AIDS Day is “HIV affects us all! Test for HIV? Support HIV positive people“

All funds donated through the sale of tickets for this concert will go to support HIV positive people.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, decorated the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia to Japan, Kiyoshi Mizuno, with the Medal of Merits for Macedonia for his outstanding contribution and unselfish engagement in developing and strengthening the relations and cooperation between both countries. 


The decoration, on behalf of President Ivanov, was awarded at a ceremony in Tokyo by the Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to Japan, resident in Vienna, Gjorgi Filipov. The ceremony, organized on the occasion of the working visit of a governmental delegation to Japan, was attended by the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavrevski, representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Macedonian Diaspora members.