The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the Muslim holiday, Ramadan Bairam, sent a congratulation note to the head of the Islamic Religious Community in the Republic of Macedonia, Reis-ul-Ulema Efendi Sulejman Rexhepi and to the Riyaset members of the IRC and to all members of the Islamic religion in the Republic of Macedonia.

Dear Reis-ul-Ulema Efendi Sulejman Rexhepi,

Let me congratulate, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to you, to the Riyaset members of the Islamic community and to all citizens, members of the Islamic religion in the country, Ramadan Bairam and the end of the Ramadan fasting.

I wish all Islamic religion believers festive days filled with kindness, compassion, understanding and love, values that bring and bind people and religions together. I am confident that together we will continue to promote bilateral relations and mutual understanding, doing noble deeds. It is tradition that speaks for ages of mutual respect and solidarity, regardless of religion and ethnicity as a testament to the future young generations.

Mutual respect and celebration of holidays of different religious communities in the country is the pillar of cooperation and coexistence. It is an incentive for mutual respect and understanding, values we strive towards, which need to be commonly cherished.

Congratulating the great Islamic holiday Ramadan Bairam, I wish you a pleasant holiday filled with peace and prosperity.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the letters of credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of New Zealand to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Rome, H.E. Dr. Donald Trevor Matheson, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Ankara, H.E. Mr. Tarit Charungwat.

At the meeting with Ambassador Matheson, President Ivanov noted that the relations between the Republic of Macedonia and New Zealand are developing in the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding and mutual respect.

"Last year we marked an important milestone in our common history – 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. I believe that with joint efforts in the upcoming period, we will contribute to the further development of relations in many areas of common interest. There is a wide margin for development of activities and initiatives in the area of economy and agreements, which I hope will be in the focus of your term of office", the Macedonian President said.

President Ivanov stressed that the two countries are geographically distant from one another, but are strongly related, which undoubtedly influences the better understanding and strengthening of bilateral relations. The large number of New Zealand citizens originating from the Republic of Macedonia plays an important role as a bridge between the two countries, which, according to President Ivanov, helps in achieving the common goals.

Ambassador Matheson expressed hope that during his term he will contribute to the development of bilateral relations, while noting that in the past two decades Macedonia has shown that it is a credible partner in the international community and a country that has an important role in stabilizing the region of Southeastern Europe.

"Your Excellency, the friendly relations between Macedonia and New Zealand are marked by the continued cooperation and mutual trust. The Government of New Zealand is looking forward to the future opportunities to enhance our bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade and cultural spheres", said Ambassador Matheson, adding that New Zealand wishes Macedonia success in its aspirations to become a member state of the European Union and NATO.

At the meeting with Ambassador Charungwat, President Ivanov wished him welcome and success in the execution of his responsible mission and said that the Republic of Macedonia is interested to improve the overall relations with the Kingdom of Thailand.

"Next year, our two countries will mark the 10th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations. I believe that this important milestone will represent an opportunity to set the course for our future cooperation in all areas of common interest, and particularly in the area of economy," President Ivanov said.

Ambassador Charungwat expressed willingness to further strengthen bilateral ties, especially in the political and economic level.

"In the economic relations, I am entrusted to find ways and means to increase the mutual exchange and investment, providing the opportunity to the private sectors of both sides to learn about each other's potentials, which are crucial," Ambassador Charungwat said, adding that he will encourage Thai investors to explore the potentials of the Republic of Macedonia as the 36th best business destination according to Forbes, assessed based on its trade and monetary freedom, tax and investment savings.

The Macedonian President wished the two Ambassadors successful execution of the diplomatic function and expressed support in the execution of their duty.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today H.E. Ms. Federica Mogherini, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Italian Republic, the political and economic cooperation and the situation regarding the Republic of Macedonia's integration into the European Union and NATO.

President Ivanov, wishing successful European Union presidency to the Italian Republic, extended his gratitude for the current Italian support for Macedonia's integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures and expressed hope that it will continue in the future. In that context, the Italian Minister was informed of the status quo of the Republic of Macedonia, which is blocked in the EU and NATO, and of the talks about the difference over the name, as well as of the proactive and constructive approach our country applies in promoting good neighborly relations.

The Macedonian President said that the Republic of Macedonia requires respect for international law and international obligations and expects support from Italy and the EU member-states which are also members of NATO, adding that it is necessary the positive examples from the region to be applied in our case too, parallel processes of negotiations and overcoming bilateral dispute.

In terms of strengthening regional cooperation, President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia expected support from the Italian Republic in its efforts to join the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative.

Minister Mogherini said that the Italian Republic, as chair of the European Union, provides full support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia, adding that the enlargement remains high on the agenda of the Italian Presidency. She stressed the readiness of the Italian Republic to assist the integration of the countries in the European Union and NATO and expressed hope that during the six-month presidency a step forward in the integration of the Republic of Macedonia will be made.

The meeting concluded that the mutual relations between the two countries are traditionally friendly, with high level of understanding and trust, and expressed a joint commitment to constant improvement and intensification of political dialogue and further promotion and intensification of bilateral and economic cooperation.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the letters of credence of the newly appointed apostolic nuncio to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Archbishop Guido Anselmo Pecorari.

At the meeting, President Ivanov wished the newly appointed apostolic nuncio to the Republic of Macedonia welcome and successful execution of the responsible duty, extending greetings to His Holiness, Pope Francis and wishes him success, personal happiness and good health.

"The historic relations between our two countries have entered deeply in the roots of global spirituality and universal Christian traditions, whereas important persons and events from our common past, such as the holy mission of Mother Theresa from Skopje and the priceless legacy of holy apostles Cyril and Methodius, are among the pillars of Europe's cultural blueprint," the Macedonian President underlined, estimating that there is still untapped potential and room for further enhancement of cooperation between the two countries.

H.E. Archbishop Guido Anselmo Pecorari expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present the credentials to the Macedonian President, conveying at the same time the impressions of Pope Francisco from the recent visit of the Macedonian delegation to the Vatican in Rome, led by President Ivanov.

"As apostolic nuncio, I would like to assure you Your Excellency of my full commitment in supporting and maintaining the common good of this beautiful nation, by helping the Catholic Church and all citizens and religious communities," Archbishop Guido Anselmo Pekorari said. The newly apostolic nuncio added that the Holy See will continue its active and dynamic presence in the country so as to strengthen the mutual cooperation.

The Republic of Macedonia, as the President said, is a country with multiethnic and multiconfessional society in which religious diversity is safeguarded as a treasure and fundament of human freedoms. Different faiths are considered an essential part of coexistence and mutual respect present in the very tissue of the Macedonian society. The Republic of Macedonia and the Holy See share spiritual, cultural and civilization values which are a solid bridge between the two countries.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today H.E. Mr. Paul Wohlers, Ambassador of the United States, H.E. Mr. Aivo Orav, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, H.E. Ms Marian Bertzi, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission and the representative of the Liaison Office of NATO, Lt. Marian Ivanusha.

During the meeting, they exchanged views and information on the situation and expectations regarding the Republic of Macedonia's membership in the EU and NATO, good neighborly relations and regional issues, and the current internal political developments in the country.

President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia highly appreciates the partnership and friendship developed in continuity with the United States, EU, OSCE and NATO and expressed gratitude to the interlocutors for their commitment and contribution to the promotion of relations and intensification of cooperation.

The Macedonian President, stressing the respect for international treaties and implementation of international commitments, said it is necessary to overcome the status quo in terms of the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia as soon as possible, thus contributing to overcoming the challenges in the country and in the region.

The meeting exchanged views on the latest developments related to the protests over the "Monster" case, and the interlocutors agreed that protests are allowed everywhere, but violence can not be tolerated. They concluded that every inter-ethnic incident or attempt to encourage intolerance is an opportunity for politicking or exploiting the situation for personal or political gain. It was also noted that the events that took place are an opportunity for open dialogue and strengthening of the relations between the citizens of different ethnic and religious affiliation.

The interlocutors welcomed the efforts undertaken by President Ivanov in order to overcome the challenges resulting from the current internal political developments in the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Dr. Zoran Jolevski and Dr. Vasko Naumovski, former and future envoy of the Republic of Macedonia in the talks between Macedonia and Greece to overcome the name dispute under the United Nations auspices.

President Ivanov wished Mr. Naumovski successful performance of this duty.

At the meeting, the new envoy in the talks about the difference over the name was informed with the activities taken so far within the UN-led process.

President Ivanov thanked Mr. Jolevski for his overall efforts so far and all achievements as an envoy in the talks on the name dispute.