The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, attended this evening and addressed the gala ceremony marking the International Day of Bosniaks.

As part of the Macedonian model of coexistence, the Republic of Macedonia respects and accepts the Bosniak community with all its peculiarities and specificities as inseparable part, told President Ivanov the attendees, adding that the essence of our model is the understanding that the other cultures and religions are not a threat for anyone's identity, but a potential source of its enrichment.

"Therefore, we respect and accept diversity. The respect and acceptance are based on mutual trust. Our covenant is to build bridges of friendship in the future as well and to walk together towards our common European future", President Ivanov said in his address.

President Ivanov, on behalf of the Macedonian citizens, once again congratulated all members of the Bosniak community the holiday and welcomed the establishment of the Association of Bosniaks from Macedonia as nonpartisan Association.

The ceremony was also addressed by the President of the Bosniak Cultural Community in Macedonia, Dr. Cemil Bektovic, and the President of the Association of Bosniaks of Macedonia, Mr. Sead Kocan.

The ceremony was enriched with an exhibition of paintings by professors Fehim Huskovic and Trajce Blazevski, as well as with cultural performances.