The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today, in a farewell visit, received the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Macedonia, H.E. Arslan Hakan Okcal.
At the pleasant meeting, President Ivanov extended his gratitude to Ambassador Okcal for his commitment and the efforts made in view of the development of the strategic and good relations between the two countries. The President stressed that Macedonia is also a country of the members of the Turkish community, and that the existence of a large Turkish community in Macedonia, as well as Macedonian community in Turkey, strengthens further the ties between the two countries.
President Ivanov, at the meeting, expressed his expectation that as the significance of the borders in the Balkans is further reduced and there are developments in the integration processes, this region will be developed as an open space in which there will be free economic and cultural exchanges, travels and exchange of ideas. The President underlined the common past of all Balkan countries and the need to stress the traditions that bring us together, the traditions of cooperation, coexistence and openness to others.
Ambassador Okcal said that he would joyfully remember the two years spent in the Republic of Macedonia and the constant upward trend of development of the relations between Macedonia and Turkey, which are characterized by the development of economic cooperation, regular contacts at the highest level and strategic cooperation in achieving the objectives of common interest. Ambassador Okcal added that the Republic of Macedonia has built a democratic model that should serve as an example for the countries in the Balkans and Europe, a model of respecting different cultures and traditions and their involvement in the overall development of the country.