The sporting and cultural event in the Municipality of Aerodrom marked today the end of the year project "Social and Ethnic Integration through Sport - Sportsmanship", which was implemented under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov.

President Ivanov said that the extremely important project ends with the visit of the municipality of Aerodrom, project in which seven municipalities from different parts of Macedonia had the opportunity to introduce children to coexistence and to learn about diversity.

"Through learning and sport, these young people were taught how to behave in their lives, to respect diversity and visited various ethnic, religious and linguistic environments, made friends and learned how to act in life and in sport - there is competition in sports and we should always congratulate the winner for the success achieved. Young people need always, on the benches and in the field, know how to behave. It is an investment in the future, because children make friendships and learn about the challenges they will face in life", President Ivanov said.

US Ambassador Paul Wohlers said it is appreciated if children are taught of sportsmanship, to work together as a team, regardless of where they come from, from which community, nationality or religion.

In the coming years, they will be the ones who will build together the future of Macedonia", Ambassador Wohlers said.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Aerodrom, Ivica Konevski, said that the project aims to encourage children to play sports and, as he said, to remind them of the traditional children's games that are forgotten today.

"Children today play on computers and, indeed, the aim of this event is to make them go out in the streets and play the games of the past, to practice sports, to become strong individuals, to play fair, to be able to cope with victories and loses", the Mayor of Aerodrom said.

Holder of the project is the Association for Development Initiatives - Geostrategic Institute "Global", and despite the municipality of Aerodrom, it involved the municipalities of Kavadarci, Rosoman, Debar, Centar Zupa, Tearce and Valandovo. The project "Sportsmanship" was implemented in partnership of these municipalities and with support the US Embassy in Macedonia.

It aims at promoting sports as a social activity through play, fun and socializing children and young people from different ethnic backgrounds to strengthen interethnic relations.

Asked if he expects a solution on the name issue by the end of December, given the speculation that the two countries are close to a solution, President Ivanov said that he is neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but a realist in terms of the name issue and the possibility of its resolution.

"In my tenure as President, I have never been pessimistic or optimistic; I have always been a realist. Being realistic, we all know Mr. Nimetz's statement, who is best informed on the entire process, thus, I have nothing to add to Mr. Nimetz's statement", President Ivanov said.
Asked whether he would run for a second presidential term, the Macedonian President said that "when the time is right, I will announce my decision to the citizens".

Pertaining to Ahmeti's statement communicated by some media that they will not support him at the presidential elections, President Ivanov replied that he is not informed about that statement of DUI.

Regarding the possibility to pardon the journalist Tomislav Kezharovski, if such a procedure is initiated by the Ministry of Justice, President Ivanov said that he would act according to the laws and the Constitution.

"In this capacity, I have never commented any court decision, not I intend to do so. I respect everything that is in compliance with the laws and the Constitution. I strictly adhere to every procedure that is foreseen in the laws. There is a commission established in my cabinet tasked to consider all related issues and when there is an initiative, it shall bring a decision that I shall accept in accordance with the position of the Ministry of Justice", President Ivanov said.