The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Russian Federation, sent a letter to the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin.

Respected Mr. President,

On behalf of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf I extend the assurances of highest consideration.

Mr. President, I address you on the eve of a very important date in the history of the relations between our two friendly countries. Namely, January 31 is the day when, exactly 20 years ago, the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Russian Federation were established.

Since then, we have witnessed continuous efforts in building state relations in all areas of mutual interest and in strengthening the friendship between our people.

In the past twenty years, I may say that the overall relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries has reached a level we can be satisfied of. The core of the solid bilateral relations is the high level of political dialogue at all levels. I would like to assure you that in the spirit of the established friendship, mutual understanding and mutual respect, in accordance with the long historical, spiritual and cultural traditions of our peoples, as well as with the economic interests that are our common imperative, the Republic of Macedonia, as before, attaches highest importance to the development of the relations with the Russian Federation.

I stand ready, together with you, through exchange of visits, meetings and personal example, to give further joint contribution and impetus for cooperation at political level, but also in the field of economy, energy, trade, investment, culture, tourism, education and in all other areas. These are also areas of cooperation in which there is still under-used potential, and areas in which I deem we can be partners, areas that should mark the coming decades in our bilateral relations. The accession of the Republic of Macedonia to the South Stream, the forthcoming gasification of the country, which is precisely the result of the efforts and commitment of the authorities of the two countries, are a good foundation in this regard.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, held a meeting today with Mr. Hoyt Brian Yee, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs of the United States.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the overall development of the bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the United States, and on the developments pertaining to the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective of the Republic of Macedonia.

In terms of the strategic priorities of the Republic of Macedonia, President Ivanov stressed that the country remains fully committed to NATO and the European Union membership and expressed expectation for US support and commitment before the next NATO Summit in UK.

"There are two ways the Republic of Macedonia to take its rightful place in the Alliance, which would be beneficial for the entire region. The first is through the unconditional respect of the Interim Accord and the ICJ ruling, and the second is by finding a mutually acceptable solution to the imposed dispute in accordance with the framework in which the process is led. To unblock our strategic goals, we need support and engagement of the United States", President Ivanov said at the meeting.

Regarding the talks on the name issue, President Ivanov said that the southern neighbor continues with its irresponsible behavior by avoiding contacts and disrespecting the framework of the talks. "Disrespecting the framework in which the process is led in the United Nations, disrespecting the ICJ judgment, would not lead to a move towards achieving a mutually acceptable solution. Therefore, we expect our allies, primarily the United States, for the wider interest, to urge for reasonable behavior of Greece", President Ivanov said.

At the meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, the interest of the Republic of Macedonia to intensify the strategic partnership with the United States was reaffirmed and expectation was expressed for further strengthening of the overall bilateral cooperation.

In that context, the Macedonian President expressed satisfaction with the US interest in the investment opportunities in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as expectation for deepening of the economic cooperation and improving the political dialogue dynamics at all levels.

At the meeting, views and information on the situation in the region of Southeast Europe were exchanged.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of St. Sava, sent a congratulation message to the members of the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected fellow citizens,

Let me congratulate you, on my personal behalf and on behalf of all the citizens in the Republic of Macedonia, the great holiday of St. Sava.
Today's celebration is dedicated to one of the most important figures of Serbian history and church. St. Sava Day is one of the most significant religious and national holidays of the Serbian people everywhere in the world. The Serbian community, as well as the other ethnic communities in the Republic of Macedonia, by fostering the tradition and heritage of the past generation, builds strong relations of mutual respect, understanding and promotion of social and overall development of the country.
Celebrating the feast of St. Sava, the Serbian saint, educator and statesman, means celebrating his thought and work, but also respect for the members of the Serbian community in the country who have participated in the establishment and strengthening of the Republic of Macedonia economically and socially.
Celebrating the day of the first Serbian archbishop we confirm the joint commitment to coexistence, mutual understanding and trust. In the spirit of his life and learning, we acknowledge the commitment to nurture and respect our shared values, to be united and to create a better future and a better life for all our citizens.
May the good spirit, happiness and blessing be with you!
Many happy returns to this holiday!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the great Christian holiday of Epiphany, sent a congratulation message to the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan and to all Orthodox believers:

Your Holiness,

Let me extend my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the great Christian holiday of Epiphany to you personally, to all Orthodox Christians, members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and all the clergy and monks.

Marking the day when St. John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the waters of the Jordan River we celebrate our spiritual birth. Rejoicing Christ's baptism and sanctifying the Macedonian waters we continue the tradition of our forefathers and reaffirm our faith in the values of repentance and purification, as well as of sharing goodness and love.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church, nurturing the tradition, religious and cultural specificities, gives us faith to endure in the everyday challenges and temptations, advocating respect for religious and spiritual values. Purification of the human soul means celebrating the beautiful thoughts and deeds, philanthropy and charity. The symbolism of purity strengthens our faith to continue to respect religious diversity and religious specificities according to the Christian principles of peace, unity and harmony.

Your Holiness, congratulating you the Epiphany, I wish you good health, spiritual peace and tranquility. I wish the Orthodox Christian believers peace, tranquility and respect for true values.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, in Dojran, held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Dr. Emrullah Isler.

At the meeting, attended by the President of the Turkish Agency for Cooperation and Coordination – TIKA, Dr. Serdar Cam, President Ivanov and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Isler exchanged opinions about the overall cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey.

Both interlocutors agreed that the upward trend of successful bilateral relations between the two countries is present and shall conitnue.

In terms of economic cooperation, President Ivanov reaffirmed his expectation for its further intensification.

In the context of the integration of the Republic of Macedonia into the European Union, President Ivanov said that the opening of the accession negotiations with the EU remains our primary goal. At the same time, president Ivanov expressed his expectation for continuous support of the Republic of Turkey for the Republic of Macedonia's accession to NATO.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Isler discussed the cooperation between the two countries in other social spheres as well.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation message to the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan, and to all Christians on the occasion of the great holiday Nativity of Christ - Christmas.

Your Holiness,

Let me congratulate all Orthodox Christians, you personally, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops and all the clergy and monks, the great holiday of Nativity of Christ - Christmas.

Celebrating the greatest day of all days, the day when the Son of God was born, we recollect everything that is vital and what makes us people. We celebrate the desire - love, peace and mercy to be our guides in becoming better people and better Christians. This holiday reminds us that we need to cherish family and traditional values, spread kindness and compassion, but above all, to be united and in unity to create a better future and a better life for all our citizens.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church, in unity, celebrating the day when the Son of God was born, the day when the life and history of the Christian church began, teaches us to solidarity, kindness and mutual understanding. The church, for many years now, is facing steadfastly the challenges of modern society, protecting and nurturing the traditions, religious and cultural specificities of the Republic of Macedonia. It teaches us to love and compassion, saying that we are all equal before God and that love, tolerance, family values and human kindness always come to those that have and give them to others.

Guided by this belief, we need to upgrade the established values of respect for religious diversity and religious specificities, promoting the humane and Christian principles of peace and unity.

Your Holiness, congratulating you this great Orthodox holiday, I wish you good health, spiritual peace and tranquility, and I wish the members of the Synod and the Orthodox Christian believers happiness and blessing! May the hearts of all of us be filled with love and kindness!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov