The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of October 11, the National Uprising Day of the Republic of Macedonia, sent a congratulation message to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected citizens,

Congratulations on October 11, the National Uprising Day. On this historic day in 1941, with the attacks of the Prilep Partisan Detachment "Goce Delchev" on the police station and prison in Prilep, launched the uprising against the fascist occupation, announcing the organized national liberation struggle.

Through this struggle, our people, in the best possible way, proved their statehood capacity and the right to build an independent, sovereign and free state. With October 11 and the National Liberation Struggle, we stood on the side of the anti-fascist coalition. The Macedonian citizens chose the good, not the evil, justice, not injustice and to stand against fascism as one of the greatest evils in the human history.

Today, 73 years after, the memory on October 11 and the national liberation struggle is not fading; live is the memory of all those who stood up against the powerful fascist armada and gave their lives for the homeland. The victory was won with unprecedented heroism, courage, firmness and self-sacrifice. The legacy left to us by the Macedonian fighters - freedom and peace, we will never allow to be taken away from us and threatened.

On this great holiday, we recall that Macedonia was, is and will always be on the side of progress, democracy and freedom!

Long live October 11!
Long live the Republic of Macedonia!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Ambassador Aivo Orav, Head of the Delegation of European Union to the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, Ambassador Orav handed over the 2014 Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia to President Ivanov and referred to the key assessments contained in the Report drafted by the European Commission.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the recommendation confirmed regarding the Republic of Macedonia's readiness to start accession negotiations with the EU, adding that the report of the European Commission, again this year, gives an objective picture of all that has been done and achieved in the country, as well as directions for the future challenges our country should pay attention to.

Ambassador Orav expressed hope that the Republic of Macedonia will continue with the reform processes and will soon start negotiations for membership in the European Union.

President Ivanov stressed that the European integration is our strategic goal and that the Republic of Macedonia needs to get what it has deserved - to launch the long-awaited negotiations that will provide an additional stimulus to accelerate the reform processes in the country. The Macedonian President expressed hope that, at the next European Council, the EU member-states will respond positively to the EC recommendation.

"The ongoing status quo in Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration I have pointed out many times by now, has greatly contributed to the contained assessments in the Report of the European Commission. The Republic of Macedonia is the first country in the region that signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union, it is a country-candidate since 2005, and since 2009 the Commission recommends opening of accession negotiations. I think that the European Council finally has to see the consequences of the prolonged waiting and give a date for commencement of negotiations," President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President said that all political and social actors in the country should focus and make additional efforts aimed at reform agenda fulfillment.

"Together, committed and responsibly we have to work to achieve our strategic goals. Regardless of the remarks noted in the Report, our primary goal should always be the Republic of Macedonia's progress," President Ivanov said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today in Star Dojran with Dr. Numan Kurtulmus, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey.

President Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmus agreed that the bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey are excellent and expressed willingness to further intensify cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

"The Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey have established relations of strategic partnership and the Republic of Turkey is one of the most vocal promoters of the Republic of Macedonia's integration in NATO. The support of the Republic of Turkey is always welcome and highly appreciated," President Ivanov said.

The meeting stressed the mutual interest for more intensive economic cooperation and discussed investment opportunities in several areas.

President Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmus exchanged views on the opportunities in tourism, culture, education and other areas of mutual interest.

The Macedonian President expressed gratitude for the support of the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Agency for Cooperation and Coordination - TIKA in the implementation of numerous projects in the Republic of Macedonia. President Ivanov expressed his special gratitude for the support in the opening of the first Emergency Center within the University Clinic for Children's Diseases in the Republic of Macedonia, which was implemented under the auspices of his wife, Ms. Maja Ivanova, and the opening of the Memorial House of Kemal Ataturk's family in the village of Kodzadzik. Possibilities for implementation of other projects in the coming period were also discussed.

After the meeting, President Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmus, together with representatives of TIKA, attended the opening of the renovated square in the village Dedeli in the municipality of Valandovo.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with the members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Mr. Mark Pritchard and Mr. Brian Binley.

The meeting with the British MPs discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the principal support by the United Kingdom for the Macedonian strategic goals, assessing as positive the overall bilateral relations. In this context, the Macedonian President, welcoming the cooperation between the two parliaments, expressed willingness for further promotion of the cooperation between the two countries in all spheres of mutual interest and for maintaining continuity in the political dialogue at all levels.

As regards the Euro-Atlantic integration, the Macedonian President noted that our country remains fully committed to the implementation of the reforms for membership in the EU and NATO, adding that the support of the United Kingdom thereof is especially important.

Both MPs, Pritchard and Binley, expressed support regarding Macedonia's aspirations to join the European Union and NATO, and thanked for Macedonia's contribution given by participating in peacekeeping missions, adding that Macedonia's membership in NATO will be a significant step for stability in the region.

The meeting exchanged views and information related to the latest developments and challenges in the SEE region.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation message to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Joachim Gauck, on the occasion of the National Day of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Your Excellency,

It gives me great honor and pleasure to extend congratulations on the occasion of the National Day of the Federal Republic of Germany and best wishes for further advancement and prosperity of your country and the friendly German people.
I take this solemn occasion to reaffirm the interest of the Republic of Macedonia to further strengthen the close relations with friendly Germany, as well as my personal willingness to cooperate with you to intensify the political dialogue in the coming period.

Distinguished Mr. Gauck, the support of the Federal Republic of Germany in the integration process of the Republic of Macedonia into the European Union and NATO is of special significance for us and the cooperation with your country in all areas of mutual interest remains, in continuity, one of our key priorities. I do hope that the Federal Republic of Germany shall consider our arguments, commitments and achievements and that the support in meeting our goals will continue in the coming crucial period. In this context, I would like to assure you that the Republic of Macedonia will continue the reform process in order to achieve the European standards and criteria and will further contribute to the regional cooperation in maintaining the stability and prosperity of the Southeast Europe region.

On this note, hoping that I will have the opportunity to welcome you in the Republic of Macedonia, and congratulating you once again the Day of German Unity, please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the religious holiday Eid al-Adha, sent a congratulation message to the Head of the Islamic Community, Reis-ul-Ulema Sulejman Efendi Rexhepi.

Respected Reis-ul-Ulema Sulejman Efendi Rexhepi,

Let me congratulate you personally, the members of the Riyaset of the Islamic religious community and all people of Islamic religion in the country, the great holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The celebration of this holiday may bring peace, joy and well-being and spread the message of the importance of this holiday, which is sharing with the next of kin and the poor. Values like compassion and forgiveness are symbols of humanity, respect and tolerance, which we jointly build through dialogue and mutual trust.

Congratulating the holiday of Eid al-Adha, I call upon all of you to give a hand to those who need it most. This holiday in the Muslim belief means reunion, sharing and openness. These are the values that bind us all together, regardless of our religion and belief, values that unite us and make us human and humane.

Congratulations on Eid al-Adha.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov