The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation note to Mr. Rumen Radev on his election as new president of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Distinguished Mr. Radev,

Allow me, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to extend my sincere congratulations on winning the presidential elections. I wish you much success in carrying out this responsible office.

The Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria share a lot of things from the past, but, even more importantly, we share identical vision of the present and the future, as well as identical challenges. Stability, security, economic prosperity of our countries and the region is the vision that we share. This vision will become a reality only with sincere commitment to building good neighborly relations, maximum cooperation at bilateral and regional level, accelerated integration of the entire region into the Euro-Atlantic structures. This approach will enable us to appropriately face the challenges. The Republic o f Bulgaria plays an important role in this respect.

I would like to assure you that I am fully prepared to work with you to make this vision a reality. I believe that with joint efforts we can provide personal contribution thereto and expect and hope for close cooperation and frank dialogue.

Looking forward to our meeting, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with Ambassador Samuel Zbogar, Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, Ambassador Zbogar handed President Ivanov with the 2016 Progress Report on Macedonia and informed him on the key assessments contained in the Report drafted by the European Commission.

The Macedonian President at the meeting pointed out the necessity to change the status quo in the context of opening of accession negotiations with the European Union.

"The permanent political crisis in the Republic of Macedonia is largely due to the too long status quo in the integration. I believe that the early parliamentary elections will be a possibility to exit the crisis, but only if the European integration is unblocked after the election. Any further delay in this process will seriously affect the reform pace, the level of political culture in the country and the culture of dialogue and compromise. I am convinced the Union will correct the current wrong approach towards Macedonia", President Ivanov said at the meeting.
The Macedonian President and Ambassador Zbogar exchanged views on the upcoming elections in the Republic of Macedonia and agreed that it is important the electoral process to be conducted in fair, democratic and constructive atmosphere.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today visited the commands and units of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in the "Ilinden" barracks in Skopje.

President Ivanov visited the honors battalion, the communications battalion, the engineer battalion, military police battalion, the special force and Ranger battalion within the special operations regiment, and was informed of the current status of these units of the Army. The Macedonian President attended the training of different units of the Army, with various specialties and visited the premises for life and work of the active military personnel, where he perceived the working conditions and the functioning of the "Ilinden" barracks.

President Ivanov said that the Macedonian Army presents a high level of professionalism and commitment to professional and specialized training, despite the financial challenges it faces. The Macedonian President noted that in terms of enhanced engagement on the southern border in support of the Border Police, the Army members successfully pursue earmarked tasks.

"Currently, one of the priority tasks of the Army is deployment on the southern border in support of the Border Police, but being here today I saw that the other tasks are not neglected. Besides its main task, which is to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia, the Army, three months ago, in the flooded areas proved to be the institution with the greatest capacity when it comes to response and assistance to citizens in times of natural disasters", the Macedonian President stressed.

During the visit, President Ivanov met with the commanders of the battalions located in the "Ilinden" barracks and was informed about the current situation and challenges facing the lower level of command in the Army, in order to improve the quality of training and the standard of the Macedonian Army.

In the coming period, President Ivanov will visit other garrisons of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in order to see personally the situation in the Army.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation message to Mr. Donald Trump, on the occasion of his election as President of the United States of America.

Honorable Mr. Trump,

Allow me, on behalf of the people of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to extend my sincere congratulations on your election as President of the United States of America and wish you success in carrying out this very responsible office.
The Republic of Macedonia attaches great importance to the strategic partnership with the United States, and the commitment to its further strengthening is a special interest for the Republic of Macedonia and its citizens.

You take the lead of your country in time of security turmoil, global challenges and lack of order. These challenges are inevitably reflected in the countries of the region of Southeast Europe, including the Republic of Macedonia. In our 25 years of independence and sovereignty, the Republic of Macedonia has long been facing unfair and unprincipled blockade on our European and Euro-Atlantic path. And, as the world needs order, so we need consolidation of peace, greater stability, security and democracy in the region. To achieve these goals, integration of the Republic of Macedonia and the entire region into NATO and the European Union is needed, as well as respect for international law. To achieve these goals, the support from the U.S. is of vital importance.

I am deeply convinced that the United States under your leadership will help us meet these highest strategic objectives. I am confident that in the period ahead our strategic partnership will be enhanced and enriched, and therefore, once again, I express our full readiness.
I want to assure you that the Republic of Macedonia, as a proven friend and partner of your great nation, will continue to support the US and global efforts for peace, stability and security, based on the need for justice, respect for international law, freedom and human dignity in the world.

With sincere wishes for your future professional success, personal happiness and good health, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, held a coordination meeting today with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia and Chairman of the National Council for Sustainable Development, Mr. Vladimir Pesevski, which was attended by the National Coordinators on Climate Change and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Macedonia and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the meeting, the participants exchanged views on the significance of the Paris agreement on climate change for the Republic of Macedonia and the impact that its implementation will have on the economy, energy, transport and industry in the country. The Republic of Macedonia was one of the 195 countries which in November 2015 adopted the first universal and legally-binding agreement to take effect in 2020. On April 22, 2016, the Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the United Nations signed the Paris agreement on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.

It was concluded at the meeting that with the signing of the Paris agreement in New York, the Republic of Macedonia has demonstrated its commitment to join the global efforts to reduce climate change. At the meeting, President Ivanov stressed the need for ratification of the agreement on climate change, following the constitution of the new composition of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.

"Upon the adoption of the historic agreement on climate change in Paris last year and the formal accession to the agreement in New York, firm steps and measures to meet its provisions are necessary", President Ivanov said at the meeting.

The participants exchanged views on the possibilities for using money from the funds for adaptation and implementation of the obligations arising from the agreement on climate change.

The coordination meeting was held in the wake of the participation of President Ivanov at the Climate Change Summit COP22, which will be held in November in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the national holiday October 23 - Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle, sent a congratulation message to the citizens of Macedonia.

Respected fellow citizens,

Today, October 23, we celebrate the day when in 1893 six united Macedonians created the first all-Macedonian organization that gave the basic guidelines for establishment of a free, independent and sovereign Macedonian state. Their mission united the people of Macedonia, regardless of their ethnic, religious or linguistic affiliation in the common struggle for freedom, statehood and independence.

The years that followed brought casualties and temptations. There were many lost battles and slain warriors. But the fight for freedom did not stop. The road to freedom began by the six young patriots was continued by our fighters and partisans, our Ilinden fighters and fighters in the National Liberation and Anti-Fascist struggle. 25 years ago, on September 8, 1991, on our third Ilinden, the eternal quest for a free, independent and sovereign Republic of Macedonia as a democratic state in which all are equal and the same was finally attained.

Celebrating the day of the six founders of the idea of a free, sovereign and democratic Macedonia, we are reminded of the essence of this holiday. And it is that only when we are united – we win, but when we are divided – we decline.

Today, the Republic of Macedonia is divided more than ever before in the past quarter century. The internal divisions are also reflected on the national interests of Macedonia's European future.

On behalf of our heroes from the past, and our children, who are the heroes of the future, I invite you to put our strength to reconcile and unite. To build a culture of dialogue and compromise, and a sense of unity around the national interests. And, above all, to respect each other, despite our deepest political and ideological differences. Only then will we manage to add to the victories of the past victories in the future. Only united will we manage to persevere on our way to a prosperous, happier and richer Republic of Macedonia.

Many happy returns to the Day of Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle!

Long live the Republic of Macedonia!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov