The Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) sent a notification to the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and to the other relevant institutions in the country, informing on their efforts concerning the right of self-identification of the Macedonian community and the constant lobbying, which finally ended up with a positive result - the Australian Government officially withdrew the “Slavo-Macedonian Directive”, whereof the Macedonian community was renamed in 1994.

”The announcement of the Australian Government to officially end its offensive policy of renaming means a return to the longstanding and successful policy of multiculturalism, which AMHRC has long ago supported”, the Australian-Macedonian Committee says in its notification, adding that it will continue to advocate for the requirements the Australian Government to recognize the Republic of Macedonia under its official and democratically elected name.

President Ivanov in his letter to the Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee expressed special satisfaction with the withdrawal of the aforementioned Directive.

"The letters you have received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Australia and the Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship which confirm that in the future the term “Macedonian” will be used is a huge success and therefore, I sincerely congratulate you”, President Ivanov said in his letter, appraising the commitment and efforts of the members of the Committee for recognizing and improving the position of the Macedonians in Australia, as well as for the affirmation of the Macedonian ethnic, linguistic and cultural identity.

”We are proud of our countrymen in Australia and grateful for everything they do in preservation and affirmation of Macedonian identity and traditions. As before, so in the future, you have my full support. Friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and Australia will continue to evolve and improve in all spheres of mutual interest, and the great Macedonian community in Australia has always been the binding bridge”, is written in the letter of President Ivanov.

The AMHRC campaign was initiated in 1994 and included hearings in the High Court of Australia, the Commission on Human Rights and Equal Opportunities and the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. The campaign reached its peak recently as a result of the intensive series of exchanges of opinions, which included meetings and correspondence with the government cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister, parliamentary representatives from all political parties and several government ministries.