On behalf of the Turkish Agency for Coordination and Cooperation (TIKA), the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, awarded the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, with recognition for successful cooperation and commitment to enhance the relations between the two countries.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to all who gave their support and assistance for the implementation of TIKA’s activities and projects in the Republic of Macedonia. However, my gratitude, first of all, goes to the great friend of the Republic of Turkey, the distinguished President of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Gjorge Ivanov”, the Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu said, reminding that since 2003 TIKA has supported the development of the Republic of Macedonia with more than 30 million US dollars.

The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed that he experiences Macedonia at the same level as Turkey, and the overall assistance and support through the projects implemented by TIKA in Skopje, Tetovo, Gostivar, Bitola, Radovish and in other cities, are a sign of great friendship between the two countries.

President Ivanov, at this solemn occasion, commended on all initiatives of the Turkish Agency for Coordination and Cooperation and noted that TIKA is, indeed, a binding bridge between the two countries.

“We share a great common past, but above all, we have a great future together. I believe that in the future we will be closer and more united, to help each other and to nurture all that is positive from the common life we have had for centuries”, the President said.

He also wished TIKA to continue with the same intensity to assist all the projects in the field of education, protection of culture, preservation of the entire tradition that we have inherited.

“I always stress with pride that in Macedonia the Turkish community is part of our integrated society which fosters multi-ethnicity, multi-religion, and multi-lingualism. I avail myself of this occasion, to congratulate the Day of the Turkish language and education in Turkish as a mother tongue to the members of the Turkish community”, President Ivanov said.

During the ceremony, an exhibition was organized titled “TIKA and the Education in Macedonia” and “TIKA - Pride of Turkey in the World", as part of the activities marking the 20th anniversary since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Macedonia and Turkey.