The European Movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina awarded the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, the Order for his merits in the EU integration process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The award was presented to President Ivanov for his contribution to the reconciliation process of the nations in the region, for the economic cooperation between Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and for the significant support to Sarajevo on the path to the European Union accession.

Expressing appreciation for the given honor, President Ivanov said that this recognition for him is a reward for the Republic of Macedonia, for everything we do to make the European idea become a European reality.

“Our region needs Europe and Europe needs the Balkans too since the EU without the Balkans is not yet Europe. The Balkans needs the European idea because, as Jean Monnet said - Building Europe, we are building peace. Our region needs peace, because peace brings prosperity and development”, President Ivanov said at the ceremony of awarding the order. We need dialogue, because through dialogue we can find all the solutions, he added.

 “Through dialogue we build peace, because peace is priceless. For the Balkans, Europe means peace and future. I wish all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina European future”, the president said in his speech at the ceremony.

The European Movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, since2010, awards orders for outstanding merits in the process of European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This year, the high recognition for economic cooperation, for reconciliation process and support for the European integration, despite to President Ivanov, was awarded to the Slovenian President Danilo Turk and the owner of the German international company “Meggle”, Toni Meggle.