The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Istanbul, had a working lunch with the leadership of TUSKON - Confederation of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists, and thus began his working visit activities.

At the working lunch organized in his honor, President Ivanov informed the businessmen with the reform process in the Republic of Macedonia, with the country’s efforts to create a more favorable business environment, and called on the TUSKON members to invest in the Republic of Macedonia, informing them on the foreign investment incentives.

The President of TUSKON,  Rizanur Meral stressed that the Confederation and its members provide strong support to the development of economic cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey, and expressed expectation that in the future, the number of Turkish investors in the Republic of Macedonia will be continuously increasing. TUSKON is considered one of the most influential Chambers in the Republic of Turkey, which represents 173 companies and 43,000 members.

During the visit, at the Patriarchate of Constantinople, President Ivanov met with His Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

At the meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed satisfaction with the frequent meetings and exchange of views with President Ivanov. “I am happy that whenever you are in Istanbul you come to visit me, I am especially happy that this year you visited me for Easter. I see a friend in you, an intellectual and a leader dedicated to spiritual values”, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said. At the interest of the Ecumenical Patriarch, President Ivanov informed him on the relations between Macedonia and Greece, especially the economic relations and the relations between the two societies.

Mutual conclusion was that in time of global challenges, leadership is needed in all areas to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of progress of all peoples, as well as to overcome misunderstandings and achieve Orthodox unity. The Ecumenical Patriarch also congratulated the leadership of President Ivanov, his commitment to dialogue and tolerance of diversity.

The Macedonian President reiterated the commitment of the Republic of Macedonia to improve the relations between all religious communities, noting that the diversity of religious and cultural communities is a centuries-old heritage and unique wealth of our country. President Ivanov reaffirmed the invitation to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit the Republic of Macedonia.

During his visit, President Ivanov is scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the "TOBB International Business Forum", which will bring together over 1000 businessmen and representatives of international institutions from 85 countries of the world. Key discussion topic of the Forum is a global economic crisis, with a particular focus on the role of the private sector, and the need to strengthen entrepreneurship and find solutions to overcome international trade obstacles.

The TOBB University of Economics and Technology is one of the most renowned universities in Turkey, which, in October 2009, awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to President Ivanov.