With the lecture on “The Balkan and the Gulf: the crossroads of civilizations” at Georgetown University in Doha, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, rounded up his official visit to the State of Qatar.

The Balkan and the Gulf are crossroads of civilizations that have been established by the empires, trade, culture and religion. These are places where civilizations do not collide, but communicate, share and connect, creating fertile ground for dialogue among civilizations, President Ivanov said. Macedonian people, as he said, have always stood for peace and unity.

The societies in the Balkans are multi-ethnic, as a result of the long period of the existence of the empires in these regions. Macedonia has lived, and is living in the world of diversities, respecting its heritage. Life has thought us of tolerance and mutual support, the Macedonian President said. The Republic of Macedonia, as President Ivanov added, is committed to inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.

Our commitment is demonstrated in establishing and developing close and friendly relations with countries belonging to different civilizations at bilateral and multilateral level. Our multi-ethnic and multi-religion democratic model is a source of great creative potential - a bridge for mutual understanding, respect and co-existence, President Ivanov stressed.

Speaking about the upcoming Forum of the Dialogue among Civilizations, hosted this year by the Republic of Macedonia, President Ivanov stressed that the dialogue between religions and cultures is a basic tool for overcoming prejudice and fear and for bonding and understanding between people. In his lecture, the President stressed the idea of open space that offers opening of the market and opportunity for success.

The European idea is a peace project and therefore all of us who live in the Balkans hope that the integration into the European Union will finally bring peace in the region. The EU will bring European standards, criteria and principles, and when it will be respected, the citizens will have legal certainty and the desire for pursuit of happiness. As long as we are out of that open space, as he added, we are subject to mutual conflicts, mistrust and intolerance, President Ivanov said. The Macedonian President in his lecture said that the greatest wealth of every country is its people and that it is necessary to respect each other.

If we invest in education of people, if we enable them communication, tolerance to the others, if we respect each other, then there will be a period of peace, Ivanov said, adding that the conflicts are result of lack of communication, intolerance and disrespect. Emphasizing the importance of education of youth, President Ivanov, using that occasion, invited two students from Georgetown University to participate in the next “School for Young Leaders” which is held every year in Ohrid under his auspices. The Lecture of President Ivanov was announced by Emir Hasanovic, the son of the Macedonian Ambassador to Qatar, who is the only student from the Republic of Macedonia at this university.

The Macedonian delegation led by President Ivanov, visited the science and technology park in Doha today. The scientific-technological park develops technologies in energy, environment, health and ICT. The scientific-technological park spreads over 15 million square meters and is recognized as an engine for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Qatar. President Ivanov and Minister Saracini had a meeting with the CEO of Qatara Group, dealing with managing hotels. It was agreed at the meeting that a team of Qatara would visit the Republic of Macedonia in March and specify certain projects. The Minister of Economy, Valon Sarachini, said that during President Ivanov’s visit to Doha of several institutions, they discussed about specific projects aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar.