The President of the Republic of Macedonia d-r Gjorge Ivanov today met with Clare Birgin, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia to Macedonia (residing in Belgrade), who is soon leaving the position. At the warm meeting, President Ivanov expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Birgin for her contribution in the development of close and friendly relations between the two countries. President Ivanov said that the large and well integrated Macedonian community living in Australia is a major link in the strenghtening the friendship of the two countries. The President also expressed his opinion that a decision on the part of Australia to begin using the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia in billateral relations would even further strenghten the relations.
At the meeting, both parties talked of their satisfaction stemming from the intensive schedule of meetings and contacts, namely the visit of the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski to Australia, as well as the visit of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Australia Harry Jenkins to Macedonia. As a future move, President Ivanov expressed his hope that Australia will open a resident Embassy in Macedonia.