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.