The President of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov attended today the memorial service held in honor of late former Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev held in the Aleksander Nevski in Sofia.

In 2010, Zhelev was awarded the "8 September" decoration by President Ivanov for exceptional achievements in the recognition of independent and sovereign Republic of Macedonia by the Republic of Bulgaria.

"His role is great and historic, because he was the first one to contribute to the international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia and thus motivated other regional and global leaders to do the same. During our conversations, he told me how he personally convinced President Yeltsin to follow his example", stated President Ivanov.

The current Bulgarian President Mr. Rosen Plevneliev also spoke at the service in honor of late President Zhelev. Besides the Macedonian President, the memorial was also attended by the President of the Republic of Albania Mr. Bujar Nishani and the President of Kosovo Ms. Atifete Yahyaga.