Reaction by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, regarding the statement of the leader of SDSM, Zoran Zaev, given on the Win-Win TV programme on 24Vesti TV, broadcasted on September 17, 2015 at 21:00

With regards to the statement given by Zoran Zaev during the Win Win TV programme on 24Vesti TV channel, broadcasted on September 17, 2015 at 21:00, in which he says:

"One more confirmation that the major figure in the country, the President of the country is merely an extra on the Macedonian political scene. Let me put it this way: We were in Strasbourg, we negotiated in Hahn's office, we went to Brussels, and we were here in Przhino in the European Union Residence, and if everything had been normal in Macedonia, we would have held the negotiations in the Cabinet of the President of the country"

I wish to inform the public that it is exactly Zoran Zaev who lies and shamelessly manipulates the public, due to these arguments:

The resolution of the current political crisis started upon my personal initiative.

- After a prolonged period of time without political dialogue, in the morning of May 10, 2015, I personally called Zoran Zaev and invited him to the Security Council Session. He accepted the invitation and participated at the Council session held in expanded format. At the session itself, I announced to the political leaders that in the following days, I had the intention to convene a leaders meeting in my Cabinet in order to overcome the political crisis.

- Three days later, I called him again in order to invite him to participate at the leaders meeting in the Presidential Cabinet. Zoran Zaev asked for time to consult with the party.

- I now call upon Zoran Zaev to stand his ground and explain to the public and to his membership what are the reasons behind him not accepting the invitation to participate at the leaders meeting in the Presidential Cabinet. I wish to remind him that the argument he presented to me was that there were no guarantees that he will not be arrested on the basis of the accusation acts initiated against him.

- My Cabinet informed the ambassadors of the USA and EU about this conversation, and under their pressure, Zaev accepted to participate at the leaders meeting, but in the MP's Club.
Since Zoran Zaev apparently wishes to manipulate and shamelessly lie to the Macedonian public, I would like to add a few more things.

- The first political crisis in 2011 was resolved through a series of leaders meetings, in restricted and expanded format, upon my initiative and inside the Presidential cabinet.

- The 2012 crisis following the events in the Assembly from December 24th was again overcome upon my initiative, and with participation of the EU and the political party leaders.

- Immediately after my second inauguration, I invited Zaev again for a meeting in the Cabinet. Zaev accepted that invitation, but has still not shown up.
All of this clearly points to his continuous attitude towards state institutions.

The Republic of Macedonia has the strength to overcome all political challenges, relying on its own capacities, but only if the leaders of the political parties act responsibly when it comes to the country, the citizens and their membership. Unfortunately, leaders with a Zoran Zaev type of profile obviously fail to fully understand their role and responsibility, or are hostages of the concept to destroy and discredit institutions at any price.

To conclude - yesterday, Zoran Zaev said "if everything had been normal in the state, we would have negotiated in the Presidential residence". There used to be normal negotiations in the Presidential Residence when there were responsible leaders in Macedonia. Unfortunately, the opposition leader right now is – Zoran Zaev.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, the commencement of the Jewish New Year, sent a congratulation note to the President of the Jewish Community in the Republic of Macedonia, Ms. Berta Romano Nikolic, and to the members of the Jewish community in the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected Ms. Romano Nikolic,

It is my great honor and special pleasure to congratulate you and the members of the Jewish community in the Republic of Macedonia the great holiday Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah is a holiday when the members of the Jewish community recall all good and bad deeds in the past year. Therefore, the days to come are associated with profound ethical and moral responsibility.

The customs typical for this holiday are connected with the closest ones and the family, with forgiveness and support, but also with human values which are our commitment. The desire to create a better life and life values is what brings us together in learning from each other. Cherishing the traditions, we are creating positive values for the future generations.

On the occasion of this great holiday, may you celebrate the festive days in the spirit of the centuries-old tradition, in the family peace and wellbeing.

L'shanah tovah

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of September 8, the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia, sent a congratulation message to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

On September 8, 1991, we attained the centuries-old aspiration for a free and independent Macedonian state. Voting for the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia, we repaid to our brave ancestors and committed ourselves to our descendants.

Freedom and independence were not given to us. From the first day of independence, as a country, we are faced with double standards, the challenge to move along an unmarked road, where the rules of international relations and international law do not apply to us. But we do not give up and never stood up our goal - to build a secure, stable, democratic and developed European and Euro-Atlantic Macedonia, open to its neighbors and to the world. We build Macedonia as a country of social justice, solidarity and prosperity of individual and community life. We nurture the centuries-old tradition of coexistence, acceptance and respect for diversity.

Besides external, we are faced with internal challenges. The political crisis has reminded us that with sovereignty comes responsibility. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining dialogue in the institutions that we have created, whose representatives are democratically elected. It remains, through dialogue and cooperation, to build the confidence necessary to achieve the shared goals and visions. Since, only united and with mutual trust, we will be everywhere and always stronger.
Today, throughout the Republic of Macedonia, a river of migrants passes. In the tragic present of the migrants, we recognize our sad past. While we are humane to the people fleeing the destroyed societies and collapsed states, we should be grateful of what we have - our own country.

Maintaining independence is our duty, no matter what the time brings. There will be challenges, but we will overcome them in togetherness. We have energy for many new ventures. Let us make Macedonia economically strong and developed. A country in which young people can get quality education, work and conditions to form families and have children. Together may we acquire new knowledge, bring new technology and new investments in Macedonia, open new markets for Macedonian products, new spaces for Macedonian authors, more jobs and a better quality life in Macedonia.

We can only achieve this in unity and with responsibility, which we are reminded of by today's big day.

Congratulations on September 8, Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, held a meeting today with the Chief of Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, the Commander of the Joint Operations Command, the directors and heads of the state bodies in charge of defense, security and intelligence, and the national Coordinator for combating terrorism.
At the working meeting, the competent authorities informed President Ivanov about the threats and risks resulting from the regional crises and conflicts the Republic of Macedonia is facing, as well as the measures taken to prevent and deal with them.

It was noted at the meeting that the national security system subjects, according to the Action Plan for prevention and management of migrants, their entry and transit across the territory of the Republic of Macedonia of the Headquarters of the Center for Crisis Management, participate with activities and measures for prevention and management of the current crisis with the wave of illegal migration, which comes from the territory of a Member State of the European Union.

The competent authorities informed the Macedonian President that despite the engagement of the army and the police units for state border surveillance and the tasks arising from the Strategic Defense Review, the services exchange and receive information from foreign partners from EU and NATO, as well as from the countries in the region, aimed to identify the risks arising from the illegal migration: transfer of foreign terrorist fighters, preventing the operations of the organized criminal networks in facilitating and helping, smuggling of security risk persons without documents or with false documents, check of the identity of foreign nationals and identification of persons who have participated in military actions in crisis regions.

At the working meeting, they also considered the need to change the position of the national security system subjects and their competences, needs for material, personnel and technical capacities for dealing with threats and review of the mechanism for control over the operation and implementation of the measures by the services.

"The threats we face impose the need for increased communication and cooperation between the services, timely and preventive response, and greater transparency in the work of the system of control of the Parliament and the institutions", President Ivanov stressed at the meeting.

The meeting discussed the possibilities for development of a defense system with an emphasis on increasing the capacity of the special forces and intelligence, and the development of a system for informing the subjects responsible for security and defense, which will be part of the new Defense Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with Mr. Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on the overall relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the French Republic on bilateral and multilateral level concluded that there is a need to intensify the political dialogue at all levels and to deepen the economic relations.

In terms of the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective, President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia expects open support for unblocking of the EU integration process, which would result in opening of accession negotiations with the European Union.

"Blockades have discouraging effect, I repeatedly warn of the growing frustration present in the Macedonian society. Therefore, we appeal to the European Union that bilateral issues should not be an obstacle to the mutual support and solidarity. Our demands are that these two processes run in parallel or the name issue to be resolved as the last 35 chapter of the negotiations", President Ivanov said.

The Minister of State Désir said that his visit to the Republic of Macedonia aims to convey the strong commitment of France to help and support the Republic of Macedonia and the entire region into the Euro-Atlantic integration. "It is necessary the Republic of Macedonia to work hard to meet the recommendations of the European Commission, and I am here to encourage you", the Secretary of State Désir said.

Views on the current situation with the migrants were exchanged at the meeting. In that regard, President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia needs help and support in dealing with this crisis, and expressed hope for an appropriate response from the EU in the near future.

The interlocutors stressed the need for further cooperation between the security services and exchange of information in the fight against violent extremism and radicalism.