The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the great Christian holiday, the Resurrection of Christ – Easter, sent congratulation notes to the Head of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Francis, to the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomew, and to the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

"Given our strong mutual commitment to defending the universal values for which we stand and to sharing them in the spirit of dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect, may this great holiday bring faith in building a prosperous future for all Christians throughout the world," is written in the message sent to Pope Francis.

In the note to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, President Ivanov urges that "we should walk along the path of light that the Son of God paved for us, love and care wholeheartedly the beloved ones, respect and share passion for all around us."

"Easter is an opportunity, with God's mercy, to prove our spirituality, care and love for the others. Christ's sacrifice for humanity shall be our guidance for beneficence, helping each other and sharing. This holiday, Resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives us great joy and hope, encouraging us to do good deeds, to share love for the closest ones, to live in harmony and respect for diversity," is stated in the message to the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill.

In all Easter congratulations notes, President Ivanov sends greetings from the Republic of Macedonia, wishing all Christian believers to spend these festive days in tranquility, good health, happiness and well-being.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the great Christian holiday, the Resurrection of Christ - Easter, sent a congratulation message to all Christian believers in the Republic of Macedonia.

Allow me to extend my most sincere congratulations to all Christian believers on the occasion of the great Christian holiday, the Resurrection of Christ - Easter.

Celebrating the day when Jesus Christ has risen, we celebrate our spiritual birth and reaffirm our faith in the value of repentance and purification. For all Christians, Easter is a holiday of love and peace and a symbol of the triumph of life over death.

Christianity teaches us to respect spiritual values, but also of mercy and charity, stressing that we are all equal before God and that we should always share love, respect for diversity, family values and human kindness.

Guided by this belief, we should continue nurturing the established values in the Republic of Macedonia: respect for religious diversity and religious specificities, promoting humanity and Christian principles of peace and unity.

Congratulating you the greatest holiday of all holidays, Easter, I wish you good health, spiritual peace and tranquility. For the members of the Synod and the believers of Orthodox Christian religion, I wish happiness, blessings. May the hearts of all of us be filled with love and goodness!

Christ is Risen!

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in a farewell meeting the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Christopher Yvon.

President Ivanov expressed gratitude for Ambassador Yvon's contribution in promoting bilateral relations and intensifying cooperation between the two countries, and expressed expectation that the Republic of Macedonia and the United Kingdom in the future will further deepen the political dialogue and cooperation and will continue the cooperation in all areas of common interest.

The Macedonian President thanked for the overall support and expressed an expectation that in the future the United Kingdom's support will continue, especially in terms of European and Euro-Atlantic integrations.

Ambassador Yvon expressed satisfaction with the performance of his diplomatic office in the country and expressed gratitude for the support of all institutions in the country.

Thanking for the engagement and good cooperation, President Ivanov wished Ambassador Yvon success in his future career.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with Mr. Geert Hinrich Ahrens, Head of OSCE/ODIHR monitoring mission of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed confidence that the Republic of Macedonia, in the coming period, will show capacity for conducting the elections and the electoral process in line with the European standards.

"I expect, as before, the electoral process goes smoothly and in a democratic atmosphere, but I must stress that all participants in the electoral process bear political responsibility and duty to respect the electoral rules and laws," said President Ivanov.

The meeting expressed satisfaction that most of the current OSCE/ODIHR recommendations are accepted and will be implemented. President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia appreciates the presence of OSCE monitoring mission, as well as their suggestions for improvement of the electoral legislation in the country.

The Head of OSCE monitoring mission informed President Ivanov about their upcoming activities related to the electoral process and exchanged views on the role of individual segments and stakeholders in the electoral process.

The Macedonian President expressed conviction that OSCE mission will, as before, professionally perform its task within its strictly defined mandate.