The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in a farewell meeting the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Cui Zhiwei.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the engagement of Ambassador Zhiwei in promoting the relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the People's Republic of China and wished him success in his future career.

President Ivanov and Ambassador Zhiwei jointly concluded that the relations and cooperation between the two countries has reached the highest level since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

President Ivanov and Ambassador Zhiwei agreed that in future the two countries should focus on further advancement of the economic cooperation.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors of Australia and the Portuguese Republic to the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting when the newly appointed Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Ms. Julia Finney, presented the credentials, President Ivanov expressed expectation for advancement of bilateral relations and intensification of political dialogue and economic cooperation with Australia.

"I take this occasion to express my conviction that you, with your diplomatic experience and efforts, will contribute to the improvement of the relations and enhancement of the cooperation between our two countries," President Ivanov said in his welcome speech.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Australia, Ms Finney, expressed confidence that during her term she would do everything in her power to strengthen the relations between the two countries in all fields.

At the meeting when newly appointed Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic, H.E. Mr. Augusto José Saraiva Peixoto Pestana, presented the credentials, President Ivanov expressed willingness for further deepening of bilateral relations and enhancement of cooperation in all areas of common interest.

"Our primary interest is stability and prosperity in the Balkans and its full integration into the European Union. I hope we can count on the Portuguese support in the attainment of our strategic goals, NATO and EU integration," President Ivanov said.

The newly appointed ambassador stressed that the Portuguese state will continue to support the full integration of the Republic of Macedonia and of the other countries in the Western Balkans, into NATO and the European Union, adding that the reforms implemented in our country are highly valued by the European countries.

"We think that the efforts of your country in terms of implementing reforms are extremely positive and crucial in strengthening the partnership with the Alliance. Recently, the member-states of NATO reaffirmed their commitment to the open door policy and expressed hope that the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia will become a reality," the Ambassador said.

President Ivanov wished the newly appointed ambassadors successful execution of the responsible diplomatic mission and expressed support in the execution of their duties.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Jahorina, held a meeting with the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Zeljko Komsic and Mr. Nebojsha Radmanovic.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the overall efforts of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the dignified celebration of the 10th anniversary of the death of former President Boris Trajkovski and the members of the delegation.

President Ivanov and the members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency exchanged views and information on bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as on the current political and economic situation in the Republic of Macedonia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was mutually concluded the meeting that both countries have very close and friendly relations, foster traditional friendship and a high level of mutual understanding and mutual support, and the bilateral cooperation marks positive dynamics.

In the context of economic cooperation, the interlocutors agreed that there is mutual interest for further intensification and that its scope does not correspond to the capabilities and capacities of the two economies. It was agreed that the focus of attention in the future should be on increasing the scope and content of economic cooperation and trade.

President Ivanov stressed that accelerated integration rather than maintaining the status quo is a recipe for Europeanization and providing lasting stability and prosperity in the Balkans. Macedonia is ready and willing to cooperate, to share experiences and support in meeting this goal with Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as with all other countries in the SEE region, the Macedonian President said.

Today, President Ivanov will lead the state delegation marking the 10th anniversary of the death of former President Boris Trajkovski and the members of the delegation in Rotimlje.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the President of the Council of the European Union, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Evangelos Venizelos.

During the meeting, the collocutors exchanged views and information on the process of European integration of the Republic of Macedonia during the Greek Presidency of the European Union

President Ivanov wished Greece successful presidency with the European Union and expressed expectation that during the Greek Presidency, the policy of enlargement will still remain among the priorities.

President Ivanov noted that the Republic of Macedonia has seen steady progress in key reform areas, as confirmed by the five consecutive recommendations for starting accession negotiations, and that a key obstacle to the European integration progress is still the name issue.

Allowing parallel movement of the process for resolving the bilateral issue and the process of accession negotiations for the EU membership, proven to be a successful and positive practice, if applied in our case, would be beneficial not only for Macedonia but for Greece as well and for the entire region the Macedonian President said.

"Solution to the open question is possible only with strict adherence to the framework in which the process is led within the United Nations, respecting the existing Security Council resolutions, the Interim Accord, the international law and the Hague judgment," the Macedonian President told Minister Venizelos adding that tackling the area of identity and human dignity issues is not a part of the frame and does not contribute to the efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution.

President Ivanov stressed that it is necessary to follow the example of the two societies and, thus, increase mutual trust, which is achieved through frequent contacts at all levels.

"It does not befit two neighboring European countries in the 21st century to have no communication at the highest political level. Among our countries, there are huge opportunities and potential for cooperation in all areas of mutual interest," said President Ivanov and reiterated the open invitation for a visit of the Greek President to the Republic of Macedonia.

In the context of the bilateral cooperation, the Macedonian President confirmed the interest of the Republic of Macedonia to intensify economic cooperation and strengthen cross-border cooperation, suggesting that broadening of bilateral legal framework for cooperation will contribute to the advancement and political relations between the two countries.

At the meeting, they exchanged views and information about the latest developments in the region, i.e. the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of Chinese New Year, sent a congratulation note to the President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping.

Your Excellency,

It is a great honor and pleasure, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to congratulate you the Chinese New Year with best wishes for a successful year and wellbeing of your great nation and friendly Chinese people.
I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate our readiness and express my conviction that the excellent relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the People's Republic of China, based on sincere friendship, mutual trust and understanding, will continue their successful development and will be enriched with new contents.
Your Excellency, recalling our cordial meeting I would like to assure you once again that the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and I, personally, are always grateful for the principled and consistent support of the People's Republic of China.
With such conviction and sincere wishes for your future success, good health and personal happiness, I renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.

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 Mongolia, H.E. Mr. Dugerjav Lkhamsuren, and of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Chushev.

In the welcome speeches, President Ivanov welcomed both Ambassadors and wished them success in the execution of their ambassadorial duty.

The meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of Mongolia resident in Sofia reaffirmed the interest in intensifying and strengthening the cooperation between the two countries in all areas of mutual interest, especially in the economy.

“Of utmost importance is both sides to create a legal framework which will be a new impetus for building bilateral cooperation, including in the area of economic and trade cooperation”, President Ivanov said at the meeting with Ambassador Lkhamsuren.

At the meeting with Ambassador Chushev, President Ivanov expressed conviction that there are opportunities for further improvement of bilateral relations and cooperation with the Republic of Belarus in many areas of mutual interest.

“I would like to stress particularly our desire for completion of the normative - legal framework regulating the bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as our interest in strengthening economic cooperation”, President Ivanov said at the meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus, resident in Belgrade.