As of today May 24 till June 5, 2014, the Call for participation in the training of young leaders is open, which will be held for the fifth time in Ohrid, in the period August 18 – 28, 2014.

The Program is intended for university graduate young people who wish to develop and promote continuously their leadership skills and to contribute to the positive development of the society and the environment in which they live and work.

The Program includes leadership and management lectures by prominent lecturers and guests from the country and from abroad, management simulations and practical exercises. Teaching languages are Macedonian and English.

All young people from the Republic of Macedonia and children of expatriates living abroad are eligible to participate. Accommodation costs (full board) are covered by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, being the Patron of this Program.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, had an idea to establish a summer school for young leaders, since his vision is to enable young people to learn new contents and practices, to upgrade their knowledge and skills and to become future leaders of the society and of the Republic of Macedonia. Or, as he himself says: "The community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm... In order to have future helmsmen ready to take over the helm, it is of utmost importance that investment is made in their development and education".

Application requirements:
• Fluency in English.
• The average grade of the higher education to be equal or greater than 8.5 (or equivalent if the diploma is obtained abroad).
• Working experience of one to five years. A Master Degree in the relevant field is advantage.

Required documents for application:
• Two references/recommendations from your organization, company or university
• English language certificate
• Copy of transcript
• CV
• Motivation letter (short)

Complete applications should be submitted by regular post no later than June 5, 2014, to the following address:

Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Macedonia
(School for Young Leaders Commission)
"Villa Vodno"
Aco Karamanov str. 33A
1000 Skopje

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, congratulated all Orthodox believers and all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia the national holiday, May 24, the Day of the Macedonian and Slavic educators, the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius.

Dear citizens,

Let me congratulate you May 24, the Day of Slavic educators, the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, and wish you good health, prosperity and joyful holiday moments.

May 24 is a great holiday because it celebrates the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, who dedicated their life to spreading Christianity in our region through their missionary, teaching and educational role. Through their deeds, as founders of the Slavic literacy and culture, they influenced the cultural development of all Slavs.

This year too, the Macedonian state pays tribute and respect to the Apostles of the Slavs, praising their work as a bridge for rapprochement, cooperation and connectivity. What they believed in and advocated for, is an additional incentive to continue the development and promotion of education and science. The great work of Ss. Cyril and Methodius obliges us to continue to promote their mission of teaching and tradition that is based on peace, spiritual wealth, mutual respect, tolerance and solidarity.

Recalling the historical and monumental mission of the Thessaloniki brothers, Cyril and Methodius, we remain faithful to their example of faith and perseverance, promoting the message of respect for human rights, freedom, dignity, the right to identity, literacy and culture.

Many happy returns to this great national holiday!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation note to the members of the Vlach community in the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of May 23, National Day of Vlachs.

This holiday is a reminder of the centuries-old aspiration of the Vlachs for preserving, fostering and promoting their own language, culture and identity. The recognition of Vlachs as a separate nation in the distant 1905 was facing the fact of the many centuries' existence, presence and contribution of Vlachs in this region.

The Vlach community, with its diligence, rich culture and commitment to the common good of the homeland is an inseparable part of the history of the existence of our country. From Ilinden and the Krusevo Republic, through the National Liberation struggle and ASNOM Macedonia, until the third Ilinden and the declaration of Macedonian independence and sovereignty.

Respect for ancestors and obligation to descendants to preserve the Vlach language, culture and tradition. Therefore, guided by the Macedonian model of coexistence and respect for diversity, the Republic of Macedonia creates conditions for exercising the right of self-identification of Vlachs, as the basis of human rights and the right to human dignity. Only Vlachs can tell who they are, and nobody else can speak on their behalf.

Remembering gladly the achievements of the past, the views of this generation must be directed to the future and to the creation of appropriate conditions for the future generations. Together, we will continue to create a European and Euro-Atlantic Macedonia open to neighbors and the world, economically strong and developed, in which everyone will have chance for personal and collective progress.

On this note, I congratulate all members of the Vlach community in the Republic of Macedonia this holiday.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gul, on the occasion of the mining accident in western Turkey.

Dear Mr. President,

With profound sorrow I have received the news of the mining accident in western Turkey, near Manisa, and I deeply lament for the loss of lives and the victims in this great tragedy.
In these moments of grief, when there are no words that can ease your and the friendly Turkish people's sorrow, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, I convey our deepest condolences. Our prayers are with you and the families of the victims.
Please, Mr. President, convey the expressions of deepest condolences to the families of the victims in this accident.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov