The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, had a meeting today in the Black Sea city of Sochi with the Russian Minister of Sport, Vitaly Mutko, where the main emphasis was on establishing bilateral cooperation in the field of sports, primarily through signing contracts and agreements, as well as mutual support and strong partnership in international sports federations.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 6th International Forum Peace and Sport, the two interlocutors expressed their willingness to exchange coaches for the sports schools, training of personnel, use of sports facilities, as well as cooperation between high education institutions through participation in specialized educational processes in the field of sports.

“Russia is open to cooperate with Macedonia. We had a constructive meeting. We talked about cooperation in the field of sports and teaching staff from Macedonia and the Russian Federation”, Russian Minister Mutko said.

President Ivanov informed the Russian Minister on the activities and projects implemented by the Macedonian government for promotion and development of sport, creating high-quality personnel, as well as to encourage the sporting spirit among young people through the construction of sports fields, playgrounds and halls.

The Macedonian President said that the forum, held under the auspices of Prince Albert II of Monaco, gains greater importance from year to year not only among athletes but also among politicians and the wider international community. As President Ivanov stressed, sport helps resolve many issues even before they are placed on the political agenda.

President Ivanov, again, this year was one of the key speakers at the Peace and Sport International Forum, which was attended by more than seven hundred delegates from one hundred countries, including political leaders, business elite representatives, international organizations and civil society, representatives of the International Olympic Committee, and a many world famous athletes.

The International Forum Peace and Sport was initiated in 2007 with an aim to contribute to the maintenance and fostering peace in the world through sport, to encourage cooperation and exchange of experience aimed at creating incentives to put sport in function of peace. After last year’s participation in the international forum Peace and Sport, held in Monaco, in six municipalities in Macedonia the project “Sport as a Factor for Tolerance, Unity and Respect” was implemented, under the patronage of President Ivanov.