The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today in Washington met with the Director of Peace Corps volunteer organization, Aaron Williams, Senators Bernard Sanders, Patrick Leahy, Jim DeMint and Jeanne Shaheen, as well as with UMD representatives.

At the meeting with the Director of Peace Corps volunteer organization Aaron
Williams, President Ivanov thanked for the support that Macedonia receives from this influential organization. President Ivanov invited Williams to visit Macedonia in spring, when he will be awarded with the Order of Merits for Macedonia. All past Peace Corps volunteer who served in Macedonia will be invited to attend this awarding ceremony. Currently in Macedonia there are 76 Peace Corps volunteers, and additional 40 volunteers are to arrive in the country in September to support the development of the NGO sector. It is believed that over 200 Americans served as volunteers within the Corps since the beginning of the program in Macedonia in 1996. Peace Corps was established by executive order of US President John Kennedy in 1961. This state agency works for promotion of peace and partnership in the world. Since its establishment, total 200.000 people served as Peace Corps volunteers for a better understanding between the Americans and the citizens of 139 countries in the world.


President Ivanov met with Senators Bernard Sanders, Patrick Leahy, Jim DeMint and Jeanne Shaheen and exchanged opinions on the developments in the country and in the Balkans, as well as for Macedonia’s membership in NATO through the perspective of the name issue.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov met with
United Macedonian Diaspora members, an organization that for years has been representing the interests of the Republic of Macedonia in the world and helps in maintaining ties between the homeland and the Macedonians living abroad.


UMD representatives presented to President Ivanov the activities they take to inform US administration representatives, congressmen and senators on the importance of Macedonia’s integration processes. UMD representatives briefed President Ivanov also on the cooperation of the organization with other related organizations in Washington. President Ivanov briefed on the latest developments related to the priorities of our country, with particular attention to the problem that the Hellenic Republic has with the name of the Republic of Macedonia which impedes the EU and NATO integration processes. UMD members welcomed President’s initiative for regular contacts between the leaders of the political parties in Macedonia and assessed that it is for the interest of Macedonia the relations between the parties not to deteriorate.