The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the great Christian holiday Epiphany, sent a congratulation message to the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archdiocese, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan and to all Orthodox believers.

Your Holiness,

Let me extend my sincere congratulations to you personally, to all Orthodox believers in the Republic of Macedonia, to the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops, to the reverend clergy and monks, on the occasion of the great Christian holiday Epiphany.

Epiphany is a holiday which emphasizes the importance of the sacrament of baptism as one of the pillars of Christianity. Marking the day when St. John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River, we celebrate our spiritual birth, which strengthens our faith, gives us hope for a better tomorrow and encourages to respect each other and to compete in kindness. These are the values upon which we build the centuries-old Macedonian tradition of coexistence, respect and acceptance of diversity.

Let this holiday, when the waters are sacred, give us the ability to pay attention, respect and love to our families, neighbors and friends, aware that united we can deal with all challenges and temptations.

Congratulations on this great Christian holiday!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, began his visit to the State of Qatar today with a meeting with the Emir of the State of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

The meeting, first upon assuming of H.H. Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani the duty of Emir, expressed mutual satisfaction with the readiness for further successful development of the relations and cooperation between the two countries.

"The good political relations, the regular dialogue at the highest level and the solid legal frame create conditions for intensification of the economic cooperation and for Qatari investment in the Republic of Macedonia", President Ivanov said at the meeting.

In this context, in the coming period, exchange of official visits at the highest level is planned, and the time to the implementation thereof will be used to further improve the legal framework and particularly to develop concrete economic projects, which would ensure Qatari investment.

Emir Al Thani said that the Qatari companies are willing to cooperate with the Republic of Macedonia.

"In the coming period, I expect intensification of business contacts", Emir Al Thani said.

As areas in which there is an interest for investment were mentioned: agriculture, food production, construction, infrastructure, tourism, real estate, telecommunications.

President Ivanov informed Emir Al Thani with the favorable investment climate in our country, with the Macedonian economy, as well as with the estimates of the relevant international factors concerning the reform processes and the economic results.

The meeting focused on cooperation at multilateral level. It was agreed to continue with the cooperation and mutual support in the United Nations system, especially within the Alliance of Civilizations, where the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar play an active role.

Emir Al Thani appraised the role of the Republic of Macedonia in the Alliance of Civilizations. "The Macedonian model of respect for diversity is a very positive example, which should be promoted as part of this global initiative", the Qatari Emir said at the meeting.

At the meeting, they exchanged information on the current situation in the region of Southeast Europe and the Middle East.

President Ivanov congratulated on the organization of the World Man Handball Championship and wished Emir Al Thani success of the Qatari national team.

President Ivanov met with Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce. At the meeting, they exchanged information on the possibilities and interest to intensify the economic cooperation.

President Ivanov presented the benefits that foreign investors enjoy in the Republic of Macedonia. The President of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce promised to send a team in the Republic of Macedonia soon to explore the possibilities for economic cooperation, and said that he expects interested Macedonian companies in Doha.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of her election as President of the Republic of Croatia, sent a congratulation message to Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, President-elect of the Republic of Croatia.

Your Excellency,

It is a special honor and a great pleasure, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to extend my most sincere congratulations on your election as President of the Republic of Croatia, and to wish you success in the execution of this responsible office.

I am confident that under your leadership, the Republic of Croatia will further mark successes, continuing the constructive role in the stability and development of the region of Southeast Europe.

I take this opportunity to express my satisfaction with the successful development of the traditionally friendly relations between our two countries and to emphasize the deep confidence in further deepening and intensifying of the contacts between the two countries at the highest level.

I am deeply convinced that during your tenure, the Republic of Croatia as a proven friend of the Republic of Macedonia will continue to strongly support our efforts for integration into the European Union and NATO and that with joint efforts we will contribute to the regional stability and prosperity, but also to the intensifying of the regional cooperation.

With best wishes for good health, future successful work and personal happiness, as well as with hope that soon we will have the opportunity to meet, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, at their request, received representatives of the "Citizens' initiative to support knowledge in higher education".

At the meeting, President Ivanov and the representatives of the initiative exchanged views on the overall situation in the higher education in the Republic of Macedonia and agreed on the necessity of implementing reforms and on the need for quality higher education.

The representatives of the "Citizens' initiative to support knowledge in higher education" explained their views on the proposed legal amendments in the field of higher education and on the need to raise the quality of higher education in the country, in the interest of the students, professors and in the interest of the development of the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov once again expressed concern about the tendency of divisions in the academic community and regret that the initiative to hold a joint meeting today with representatives of the Professor's Plenum, the Student's Plenum and the "Citizens' initiative to support knowledge in higher education" was rejected.

The Macedonian President reiterated that dialogue, exchange of ideas and initiatives is the only way that can lead to successful transformation of the higher education.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, at their request, received representatives of the Professor's Plenum and the Student's Plenum.

At the meeting, the interlocutors exchanged views on the overall situation in the field of education in the Republic of Macedonia and agreed on the necessity of implementing reforms in education and on the need for quality higher education.

The representatives of the Professor's Plenum and the Student's Plenum explained their views on the proposed legal amendments in the field of higher education.
President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia needs a successful transformation of the higher education.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed concern about the tendency of divisions in the academic community and called for unity and dialogue in order to overcome the current situation.

The Macedonian President announced that tomorrow, at their request, he is to receive the representatives of the "Citizens' initiative to support knowledge in higher education".

President Ivanov proposed a joint meeting to be convened with representatives of the Professor's Plenum, the Student's Plenum and the "Citizens' initiative to support knowledge in higher education".

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in a farewell meeting the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Paul Wohlers.

At the meeting, the two collocutors expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations and the longstanding strategic partnership between the Republic of Macedonia and the United States.

President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the current contribution and commitment of Ambassador Wohlers in promoting bilateral relations and in intensifying cooperation between the two countries and expressed his expectation that the deepening of the political dialogue and cooperation in all areas of common interest will continue in the future as well.

The Macedonian President thanked for the constant and strong support of the U.S. in terms of our Euro-Atlantic integrations, membership in the EU and NATO.

Ambassador Wohlers expressed satisfaction with the execution of his diplomatic functions in the country and gratitude for the support of all institutions in the Republic of Macedonia. He added that the U.S. will continue to support the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia and that his country will continue to foster friendship and partnership with the Republic of Macedonia.

Expressing his appreciation for his engagement and good cooperation, President Ivanov wished Ambassador Wohlers success in his future professional career.