The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the letters of credence of the newly appointed Ambassadors of Canada, the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Mr. Philip Pinnington, President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia will continue to attach great importance to the further improvement of the overall relations, with a focus on the intensification of the economic cooperation, trade and investment, as well as on the improvement of the legal framework. The Macedonian President expressed appreciation for the continued and unwavering support that Canada gives to the Republic of Macedonia in the process of its EU integration.

"In the coming period, we hope for even more enhanced support and lobbying from the influential Canada within the Alliance, for sooner effectuation of the invitation for the deserved membership of Macedonia in NATO. The Republic of Macedonia permanently demonstrates its commitment and loyalty to the values shared by the NATO Member States, for protection of regional and world peace and security, including through the participation of the Macedonian soldiers in peacekeeping missions."

The meeting after the presentation of the credentials of the Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Mr. Simon Madjumo Maruta, was used for reaffirming the common desire to develop the cooperation between the two countries, both at bilateral and multilateral level.

"I would like to emphasize in particular our wish to enrich the normative-legal framework defining the bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as our interest in examining the opportunities and establishing economic cooperation," President Ivanov said.

At the meeting on the occasion of the presentation of credentials by the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, H.E Ms. Cecilia Obon Ndong, President Ivanov stressed the interest for a more intensive development of the friendly relations between the two countries in all areas of common interest.

"I take this occasion to stress our readiness for content promotion of the mutual cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally. I believe that you, with your engagement, will contribute in this direction. Be assured that in the execution of your diplomatic duties you will enjoy our full support and assistance," President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov congratulated the newly appointed ambassadors on their posts and wished them success in performing the responsible diplomatic duty.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Hashim Thaci.

At the meeting, they exchanged views and information on further deepening of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, as well as on the situation in the region and the European integration processes of both countries.

The two interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Kosovo, and of the mutual commitment to further strengthen friendship and good neighborly relations through an open and constructive dialogue.

President Ivanov and Minister Thaci reaffirmed the common strategic objectives for peace and stability in the region and membership in the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

The Macedonian President stressed that the focus in the future should be on cooperation in the field of economy as an extremely important segment in our relations through a joint commitment to improve the infrastructure.

Minister Thaci stressed the readiness for building and promotion of good neighborly relations and intensification of the cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Kosovo in all areas of mutual interest.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Ms. Mimi Kodheli, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Albania.

Both interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the overall cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Albania at bilateral and multilateral level, particularly in the field of defense.

President Ivanov welcomed the ongoing joint efforts in the integration processes, particularly within the Adriatic Charter and expressed expectation for active support of the Republic of Albania in terms of our NATO membership.

The Macedonian President commended the efforts to further promote and deepen the bilateral cooperation in the defense sector, through implementation of projects and joint activities.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, based on all the analyses and consultations done in the past period, and on the conclusions derived from the numerous meetings with the best students from all universities in the Republic of Macedonia regularly held in the past six years, signed today the decrees declaring the laws in the field of education, which were adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia at its session held on January 14, 2015.

It was jointly concluded at all these meetings that the Republic of Macedonia has undeniable need for a successful transformation of the higher education, that our country needs students and professors recognizable and competitive in the global knowledge market.

President Ivanov received firm assurance from the law proponent that in the coming period a comprehensive professional debate will be organized on the most essential issues in the field of higher education with relevant stakeholders, students' representatives and international experts on higher education. A completely new law on higher education will be drafted out of all these activities and from the inclusive dialogue.

The Macedonian President also received a promise by the law proponent that the obligations of the academic community, foreseen with these amendments will result in increased investment of the state in research activities, which will provide the necessary conditions for fulfillment of those obligations. President Ivanov believes that only in this way the Republic of Macedonia will be closer to the modern international scientific achievements.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Sebastian Kurz.

At the meeting, they exchanged views and information on the further deepening of the bilateral relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Austria, as well as on the situation in terms of the Republic of Macedonia's membership in the European Union.

The two interlocutors agreed that the bilateral relations between the two countries are excellent, with continued political dialogue and a dynamic cooperation in many areas of common interest. In this context, special emphasize map placed on the good cooperation in the field of economy and investment, and President Ivanov reaffirmed our willingness to further deepen the cooperation in this sphere.

The Macedonian President expressed his gratitude for the open and continuous support by the Republic of Austria to the European aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia and expressed hope that it will continue in the future too, with the aim of unblocking Macedonia's integration processes.

President Ivanov stressed that the opening of accession negotiations for EU membership, as the most important goal for the Republic of Macedonia, will contribute to strengthening the reform processes and to successfully face the challenges. A joint conclusion was that the European integration of the Western Balkan countries is a key prerequisite for lasting stability and prosperity of the region.

Minister Kurtz noted that strategic interest of the Republic of Austria is full integration of the region into the Euro-Atlantic structures, and its active role and commitment to Macedonia's membership into the EU will continue.

President Ivanov, at the interest of the interlocutor, said that the Republic of Macedonia has built and nurtures a model of coexistence and respect for diversity, which is an extremely positive example not only in our region but also beyond.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Mr. Ilir Meta, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, who is paying an official visit to the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov and the President of the Albanian Parliament Meta exchanged views on the overall bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Albania, noting that the political relations mark positive trend of development, with continuous and fruitful political dialogue, and discussed the need to deepen the economic cooperation.

Both interlocutors concluded that the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Albania share the same foreign policy goals in the context of the European integrations, good neighborly relations and regional cooperation as key prerequisites for stability and prosperity of the region. President Ivanov and Speaker Meta agreed that the parliamentary cooperation can be further improved through intensification of contacts between parliamentary bodies and committees.

The meeting discussed the possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in the context of the EU integration, and the Macedonian side expressed expectation for active support of the Republic of Albania in terms of NATO membership.

The Macedonian President and President of the Albanian Parliament stressed the need for further promotion of the economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of trade, tourism and infrastructure, noting them as fields of common interest. The meeting discussed the need for a common commitment to accelerate the implementation of the ongoing infrastructure projects including road, rail and energy infrastructure within Corridor 8.