This is the time when the whole world undergoes a transformation. Europe and Asia have never been better infrastructure, economy and energy-related. Yet, at the same time, Europe and Asia have never been so culture and civilization alienated, with the rise of xenophobia and fear of diversity, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, said at the opening ceremony of the jubilee 20th Eurasian Economic Forum, taking place today and tomorrow in Istanbul.

The Eurasian Economic Forum, which is traditionally held every year in Istanbul, is attended by current and former heads of state, presidents, prime ministers, ministers, prominent figures from social and political life, civil society and business communities from 40 countries.

The past several summits were dedicated to topics such as migrant crisis and terrorism. This year's topic of the Eurasian Economic Forum is "Humanity at a crossroads", and among the topics of discussion tackles the challenges facing the European Union.

In this context, at the opening ceremony of the forum, President Ivanov said that Europe remains a superpower of lifestyle. - And, although this superpower is now in crisis, we must not forget that the crisis is also an opportunity for new solutions, Ivanov said in his address.

Ivanov, in his opening address, emphasized the importance of this forum. - With its topics, debates and ideas, the forum influences the policies of the countries because it opens prospects and paves the path for cooperation between the countries and the economies of Europe and Asia, the Macedonian President said.

President Ivanov tomorrow will address the presidential session of the Forum. Organizer of the Eurasian Economic Forum is the Marmara Foundation, a group for economic and social research which aims to promote the relations between the EU and the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East.