The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today had a meeting with the President of the Government of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic.

At the meeting, the sincere friendship and high level of relations between the two countries were confirmed, which, in continuance, are marked with positive development, confirmed with the visit of the Prime Minister Djukanovic to the Republic of Macedonia and the forthcoming visit of  President Ivanov to Montenegro that is to take place at the beginning of November this year.
President Ivanov underlined that exactly the political dialogue, characterized as permanent and at all levels, is a huge asset which in the upcoming period should be strengthened, particularly in the sphere of economic cooperation.

During the meeting, it was discussed and pleasure was expressed for the bilateral agreements signed today, which once again confirme the close cooperation between the two countries in the area of economy, as well as in the area of political dialogue.

President Ivanov and Prime Minister Djukanovic exchanged views on the future cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral level, as well as on the cooperation concerning NATO and EU integrations of the two countries. The two interlocutors noted that Macedonia and Montenegro, sharing identical vision of their integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures, are committed to regional cooperation and building good-neighborly relations and in that direction they agreed on further mutual assistance in the integration processes.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today the President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy.

The relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Union were discussed at the meeting, as well as the current developments in the UN-led process regarding the differences over the name. Views and information were exchanged on the state of play within the Union and on the situation in the Southeast Europe region.

President Ivanov stressed that the visit of the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy is an important enlargement support signal, which is considered as one of the most successful EU policies for expanding the area of security and prosperity in Europe.

President Ivanov underlined that the Republic of Macedonia’s focus will still remain on two issues: effective implementation of the reforms and maximizing of the efforts to overcome the imposed name problem, under UN auspices. President Ivanov urged that the Republic of Macedonia should receive equal treatment as other candidate countries, highlighting the successful example of parallel processes, the integration and the resolution of the bilateral issue between Slovenia and Croatia.

As the interlocutor expressed interest, President Ivanov elaborated on the current situation in the region and stressed that the European idea is the idea that makes all societies move towards prosperity and urges all countries in the region to work closely, considering each other as partners and supporters of this historic project.

The President of the European Council Rompuy expressed appreciation for the very constructive and useful exchange of information and views on these topics, and expressed satisfaction with the serious steps in the reform processes undertaken by the Republic of Macedonia, which are essential for the European perspective of the country. Rompuy stressed that his visit has two key points: to urge that the efforts should continue in order a mutually acceptable solution to be reached to overcome the dispute with Greece and in this context, he extended congratulations and gratitude for President Ivanov’s engagement. The President of the European Council Rompuy urged continuation of the reform process and expressed gratitude for President Ivanov’s role and activities in promoting regional cooperation and good neighborly relations.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of October 11 - the Day of the armed uprising in the Republic of Macedonia, sent a congratulation letter to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Dear citizens,

Today, with distinct pride, we celebrate the day of the national uprising, October 11. 69 years ago, rising up against the fascist axis of evil in an armed uprising, the Macedonian citizens, once again, confirmed their liberal traditions. Rising up against fascism, the Macedonian soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with the entire righteous and democratic world. Thanks to October 11 and the long and arduous struggle that followed, the foundations of independent Macedonia were set, which was confirmed by the First ASNOM Assembly.

The celebration of October 11 is yet another opportunity to remember and thank all the heroes, generations and generations before us, who, without hesitation, gave their lives for the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia so that they can live today freely and build their future and prosperity.

Recollecting the struggle from the past and the liberal traditions exactly on this holiday, we should remind that Macedonia was, is and will always be for progress, democracy and freedom. Hence our membership and affiliation to NATO and the European Union is quite natural and deserved.

Dear citizens, let me congratulate you the holiday.
Long live the democratic, free and sovereign Republic of Macedonia!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today representatives of the expert delegation from the Russian company GAZPROM.

The meeting was also attended by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Zoran Stavreski. The ways how to improve the cooperation between Macedonia and Russia were discussed, primarily in the energy sector, as well as the conditions to include the Republic of Macedonia in the international energy corridor "South Stream" with a possibility for construction of a branch through the territory of Macedonia.

The members of the expert delegation of the Russian company GAZPROM expressed their satisfaction with the construction of a gas pipeline network in the Republic of Macedonia, demonstrating full preparedness for cooperation and informing President Ivanov on the agenda of their visit to the Republic of Macedonia, which aimed at determining conditions for the start of this project.

President Ivanov expressed Republic of Macedonia's political willingness and support to realize this project, which would enable energy stability of the Republic of Macedonia in the upcoming decades and extended his conviction that conditions had been created for GAZPROM to take part in the construction of the gas pipeline network in the Republic of Macedonia, for which both sides demonstrated full readiness for cooperation.

President Ivanov's meeting with GAZPROM expert delegation comes following the visit of President Ivanov and Vice Prime Minister Stavreski to the Russian Federation in June this year, when the clearing agreement was signed and a meeting was held with GAZPROM CEO, Mr. Alexei Miller.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the letters of credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Lars Wahlund.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Sweden stressed that the relations between our countries are extensive and excellent and that during his term he would do everything in his capacity to promote the relations further and deepen the cooperation.
Many people from Macedonia live in Sweden, where they give valuable contributions to our society. I would also like to further our relations in the cultural and commercial spheres, said the Swedish Ambassador.
Ambassador Wahlund underlined that the Sweden’s commitment to the Macedonian statehood has been strong since the very beginning and added that one testimony to this is the Swedish substantial contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission UNPREDEP in the 1990’s.
Sweden is an ardent supporter of Macedonia’s integration into the transatlantic community. Sweden sees it as crucial that Macedonia start the EU negotiations as soon as possible with an aim of becoming a member, once all requirements are fulfilled, stated Ambassador Wahlund and also said that the EU enlargement is the key tool to reform and modernize societies in SEE, as well as to ensure and safeguard stability in this region.

President Ivanov, wishing Ambassador Wahlund sincere welcome and successful execution of the responsible mission, expressed his satisfaction with the development of the relations of friendship between our two countries and stated that the Republic of Macedonia is strongly committed to further develop the relations and cooperation with the Kingdom of Sweden.
I am convinced that Sweden, as an influential European Union member state, supporting the ‘open door’ policy, in future, will also support Republic of Macedonia’s efforts for its integration in the European family, as it was done during last year’s Swedish Presidency, President Ivanov said.
The Macedonian President emphasized that for the Republic of Macedonia, the process of Euro-Atlantic integration was and still is one of the key integration factors and driving force of the reform processes, thus it enjoys absolute political, ethnic and social consensus.
The progress of the Republic of Macedonia in that process has been recognized and acknowledged by the European Commission, underlined President Ivanov and stressed that the opening of the accession negotiation for the Republic of Macedonia will not only confirm the credibility of the Union, but it will have additional motivating effect in my country, as well as positive implications for the stability and prosperity of the entire region.