The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the recognition "Special Golden Plaque" which was presented to him by the National Council of the Macedonian National Community in Serbia for his outstanding contribution to the preservation of the identity of the Macedonians in the Republic of Serbia.

President Ivanov stressed that this award is a great honor and pleasure for him.

"It is evident that everything we do in our country is positively reflected in the Diaspora. The Republic of Macedonia, as before, will continue to take care of the Macedonians in the Diaspora, and I will continue to support the National Council, because every success of the Macedonian organizations in the Diaspora is a success for the Republic of Macedonia," President Ivanov said at the meeting.

The National Council of the Macedonian National Community in Serbia decided to award this recognition to President Ivanov for his efforts and selfless personal commitment to the preservation of the name, honor, identity, tradition and culture of the Macedonian people in the world. The Golden Plaque is awarded to the Macedonian President on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the institutional organization of the Macedonians in Serbia, ahead of the national holiday, August 2 - Ilinden.

"President Ivanov always finds time to meet with us and listen to the challenges our organization is facing and help in overcoming the same, something that we highly appreciate. We will continue to represent Macedonia's interests and be the best ambassadors of the Republic of Macedonia in the Republic of Serbia," the President of the National Council, Borche Velickovski, said.

The meeting discussed the overall situation of the Macedonians in Serbia and Borche Velickovski informed President Ivanov on their priorities and challenges they face, as well as the activities of the National Council related to the printing of the first school books in Macedonian with national culture elements for first and second grade.