The President of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Mr. Mr. Ante Kotromanovic, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia.

At the meeting, both parties expressed their satisfaction with the development of relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Croatia so far, both at the bilateral and at the multilateral level – especially in the area of defense and regional cooperation.

President Ivanov welcomed the joint engagements in the integration processes so far, taken within the Adriatic Charter, adding that reforms and measures currently being implemented in the Republic of Macedonia in function of promoting standards in the area of defense are a confirmation of our strategic goal to become a NATO Member State.

In this context, The Macedonian President also welcomed the efforts for further promotion and strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the area of defense through the realization of specific projects and joint activities.

The Minister of Defense Mr. Kotromanovic underlined that the Republic of Croatia has been continuously and actively supporting the membership of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO, stating that our country meets all the standards and high criteria for membership.

Both interlocutors exchanged opinions and information regarding the situation in the region and discussed the need for better cooperation among the security services of the Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Croatia and the other countries in the region when it comes to countering the threat that is violent extremism and radicalism.

The President of t he President of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, Sent a letter of condolence to Mr. Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the occasion of the passing of the Former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Richard von Weizsacker

Distinguished President,

It is with deep sorrow that I received the news on the passing of the Former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Richard von Weizsacker

In these sad moments for you and your people, allow me, Dear President, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to express our deepest condolences. I wish to assure you, distinguished President, that just like the German citizens, we will also remember him as a great and brave statesman. As it can be understood from his own words "Anyone who closes his eyes to the past is blind to the present", he was a person of great wisdom who has undoubtedly had, and will continue to have a special place in the history of the democratic struggle of the world.

I kindly ask you, Dear President, to convey our condolences to the friendly German people and to the family of Mr. Richard von Weizsacker

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, Sent a letter of congratulations to Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President - Elect of the Italian Republic.

Your Excellency,

It is a great honor and pleasure for me to congratulate you on your election as President of the Italian Republic and to express my most sincere wishes for success in the exercise of this highly responsible duty.

Allow me, on this occasion, to express my satisfaction with the achieved level and the continuous positive trend in terms of relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Italian Republic. I also wish to express our full readiness to continue the practice that we had established with your honorable predecessor – one of regular meetings and open political dialogue. In this way, we will contribute to further promotion of relations and enrich our cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest, both at the bilateral and at the multilateral level.

Excellency, the Italian support for our aims to become a NATO and European Union Member State, is of particular importance. The role of Italy as a sincere supporter of the perspective for Euro – Atlantic integration of my country will be of strategic importance for us in future, just as it has been until now.

Congratulating you once again on your election, Excellency, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

Today, in Sofia, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov had a meeting with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Rosen Plevneliev.

At the meeting, the Presidents discussed recent developments in the bilateral relations between the two countries, and also spoke about the Euro-Atlantic integration processes and regional cooperation.

President Ivanov reaffirmed the commitment of the Republic of Macedonia to maintain the best possible relations and cooperation with all its neighbors as a high strategic priority besides Euro-Atlantic integrations and regional cooperation.

"Sometimes, differences appear between neighbors regarding certain issues, but these should never have a negative impact over the overall relations and cooperation. Differences should be approached with mutual respect and they should be overcome through dialogue", the Macedonian President stated.

Bulgarian President Plevneliev thanked President Ivanov for his presence in Sofia, in the moments when Bulgarian people were saying their final goodbye to the first democratically elected President of their country, Mr. Zhelyu Zhelev, considering this to be a friendly gesture. The Republic of Bulgaria wishes to be the biggest friend and supporter of the Republic of Macedonia, emphasized Bulgarian President Plevneliev, agreeing that open issues should be approached with mutual understanding and respect, and that misunderstandings should be overcome through dialogue.

Both Presidents agreed to intensify contacts in the forthcoming period, not only at the highest, but at all levels.

Informing his Bulgarian colleague about the recent developments in terms of Euro-Atlantic integrations and the negative impact of the status quo situation for the Republic of Macedonia and in general for the Region, President Ivanov urged for support by the Republic of Bulgaria in order to unblock the integrations in the forthcoming period.

"The expectation of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia is to see the Republic of Bulgaria as one of the strongest supporters of our country. NATO enlargement and Macedonia obtaining its rightfully deserved membership there, will have a positive influence over the stability and security of our region" - stated President Ivanov.

Both interlocutors expressed their expectations that the working groups from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries will continue to work in the forthcoming period, in order to harmonize the Agreement on good neighborly relations on the basis of the principled position and exchange of letters between the Presidents - to transform the 1999 Declaration into an Agreement on good neighborly relations.
Presidents Ivanov and Plevneliev expressed hope that the signature of this Agreement between the two countries will mark a phase of intensified cooperation in function of using the potentials in many areas such as economy, infrastructure, cross – border cooperation, culture, education and tourism.

The need to strengthen the cooperation between intelligence services was also underlined at the meeting, with an aim to prevent and counter all phenomena that represent a threat to our region as well.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, after the death of Mr. Zhelyu Zhelev, former President of the Republic of Bulgaria, sent a letter of condolences to Mr. Rosen Plevneliev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Distinguished Mr. President,

Allow me, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to express deep condolences for the death of the former President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Zhelyu Zhelev.

As a great statesman and visionary, President Zhelev showed real leadership and courage in accelerating the process of transition and democratization in the Republic of Bulgaria and in the attainment of its European and Euro-Atlantic perspective. Thanks to his dedication and commitment, the Republic of Bulgaria is living today the dream and enjoys the privileges of the vision of a united Europe and its membership in the great Euro-Atlantic family.

President Zhelev was a great and proven friend of the Republic of Macedonia and also my personal friend. The Republic of Macedonia will never forget his role in the process of international recognition under its constitutional name. We remain grateful for his personal contribution to the establishment, development and improvement of the overall relations, mutual respect and understanding between our two countries and peoples.

Also remembered will be his role in transforming the entire Balkan region, in achieving stability and security, as well as its Euro-Atlantic future.

Please, Mr. President, convey the expressions of profound sympathy to the citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria and to the family of President Zhelev.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a Congratulatory note to the members of the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the holiday of St. Sava.

Dear fellow citizens,

It is with particular pleasure that I wish to congratulate all members of the Serbian community on their great holiday of St. Sava, and to wish them good health, happiness and well-being.

The celebration of January 27th – the Day of the First Serbian Archbishop, which has also been declared as National Day of the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia, is also a possibility to emphasize that the Serbian community, being an indelible part of Macedonian society along with all other communities, actively contributes to cohabitation in our homeland.

St. Sava and his perseverant work in the field of religion and enlightenment left a legacy of lasting values that go beyond ethnic frames and provide an example to all of us living in this region. May the importance of his deeds and the symbolic of this celebration continue to be a spiritual and cultural foundation and inspiration to build a prosperous and successful Republic of Macedonia in which the culture and tradition of all its citizens are respected.

Many happy returns of the day

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov