The Republic of Macedonia recently celebrated 21 year of its independence, during which we passed through the difficult period of our transition, President Ivanov said at the meeting with the Macedonians living in Totowa and Cedar Grove in New Jersey. President Ivanov, who attended the Sunday liturgy in the church "St. Nikola" in Totowa, told the assembled citizens that Macedonia is working to improve the economy and dignity of life.

- We are making all efforts to achieve our strategic goal - Macedonia as member of NATO and the European Union. We are trying now, with young people, many of whom returned to Macedonia from Canada or America, to make life easier in Macedonia and much more dignified. Much more is invested in youth, education, but also we do a lot for the older, by investing in health. We are creating jobs and investments are coming from abroad. We are trying to create an environment in the Republic of Macedonia for people to stay here, so that there is no longer need for them to go in pursuit of their happiness abroad, as you have done, but young people can stay to live and work in Macedonia, President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov at the meeting commented on the inclusion of the Macedonians in the Diaspora in the parliamentary elections in Macedonia. Macedonians from New Jersey said that at the next election cycle, they expect increased turnout, and add that for increased turnout, elections should be organized in the churches, not only in the consulate in New York.

The church "St. Nikola" in Totowa was established in 1993. Major centers of Macedonians in New York and the neighboring metro area are Cedar Grove and Totowa, where the church "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" and "St. Nikola" and the monastery "St. Gjorgji" and the church "St. Kliment" in Queens in New York are located.

- We have made all our efforts by raising money for the church. In this area, we believe there are between 5.000 and 10.000 Macedonians; about a hundred families are active, they come to the church regularly and maintain it. The churches are the only institutions that keep the link with our country. We need to be engaged more to maintain the language, the tradition, Velko Mitreski said, one of the organizers of the work in the church "St. Nikola", who has made a small exhibition center, with ancient coins found in Macedonia, Macedonian tobacco and other memories from the homeland.

Until last year, in the church in Totowa, there was a kindergarten for about 15 children who attended it few days a week. It was also attended by children from other communities as Armenians or Egyptian Copts, coming there for the liturgy. Mitreski says the church is occasionally visited by Greeks.