The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today, in a farewell meeting, the Ambassador of the State of Israel, H.E. Yosef Amrani.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the engagement of the Ambassador in promoting relations between the two countries and wished him success in his future career.

The two interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the achieved high level of political relations and positive trend in the cooperation. Common conclusion was that in the future the two countries should focus on promoting economic cooperation.

"According to my opinion, priority in the relations between the two countries in the coming period should be further promotion of the economic cooperation, cooperation in the field of agriculture, boosting trade exchange and increased Israeli investments in Macedonia", President Ivanov said at the meeting, expressing satisfaction with the constant strengthening and widening of the legal framework between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Israel.

In the talks, President Ivanov praised the role of the Jewish community in the Republic of Macedonia and expressed confidence that it will continue to provide its active contribution to the overall development of the country as well as in fostering good relations between the two countries.

The meeting also expressed satisfaction with the excellent cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Israel at multilateral level, and willingness to further, more comprehensive, deepening of the friendly relations.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the holiday St. Clement of Ohrid, sent a congratulation message to the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stephan.
Your Holiness,
On the occasion of St. Clement of Ohrid, let me extend cordial greetings and best wishes for prosperity and peaceful spiritual life to all Orthodox Christians, to you personally and to the whole clergy and monks.

This great saint is patron and protector of the Macedonian nation throughout its history. St. Clement of Ohrid is founder of the Ohrid Literary School and creator of the Cyrillic alphabet who laid the foundations of Christianity and Macedonian literacy. Today's holiday reminds us that we should continue to cherish his noble mission and tradition of promoting Orthodoxy which is based on love, peace, mutual respect, tolerance and solidarity.

Marking the Day of St. Clement of Ohrid we celebrate the written word and letters which are of great importance for the Macedonian people and the Macedonian state, because Clement's educational mission the work of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius is continued.

Convinced that the Macedonian Orthodox Church, as before, will continue to foster the deeds of the great educator, I extend cordial congratulations to you, Your Holiness, to the Holy Synod of Bishops and all Orthodox believers.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the death of the former President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela, sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma.

Distinguished Mr. President,

With great sadness I received the news of the death of the great human rights fighter, fighter against the apartheid evils and former president, Nelson Mandela. Allow me, Mr. President, in these sad moments for you and the people of South Africa, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my behalf, to convey most sincere and profound condolences.

At a time of bondage and injustice, he was an inspiration not only to his fellow citizens, but also for many freedom-loving individuals worldwide. Boldly, loudly and persistently opposing discrimination and intolerance in his country, he gained a great reputation and respect of many freedom-loving nations in all meridians.

In lasting memory would remain his words: "To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others". I assure you that the Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian citizens fully acknowledge this notion freedom.

Please, Mr. President, convey the assurances of deep sympathy to the people of the Republic of South Africa and the Mandela family.


Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the eve of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd, received today representatives of the National Council of Disability Organizations of the Republic of Macedonia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Union of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of the Republic of Macedonia, Union of the Blind People of the Republic of Macedonia, Union of Physically Disabled People of Macedonia – "Mobility Macedonia", National Center for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities – "Poraka", Association of war invalids of Macedonia, National Federation for Sports and recreation of Invalids of Macedonia and the National Union of labor invalids of the Republic of Macedonia.

The representatives of the National Council of Disability Organizations of Macedonia informed President Ivanov on the ongoing activities marking December 3rd, on the results achieved in implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as on the situation of people with disabilities in the Republic Macedonia and the challenges they face.

President Ivanov expressed support for the activities of disability organizations and stressed that he will continue to strive towards further improvement of the rights of persons with disabilities, both through improved legislation and through its consistent implementation.

"The state and the society as a whole must take care of all citizens. Caring for persons with disabilities must be continuous, both factually and legally. I urge that the improvement of the lives of people with disabilities should not only be led by the institutions of the system on the social level, but also by municipalities, through local institutions, and most importantly, through the family. Institutions and society as a whole must find mechanisms to strengthen the inherent role of the family as these are systemic, and individual problems, and support must be tailored to the individual needs", President Ivanov stressed.

The Macedonian President told the representatives of the National Council of Disability Organizations of Macedonia that regardless of the situation, they still need to uncompromisingly advocate for promoting their needs and rights, expressing support for prompt resolution of the priority requirements of the disability organizations.

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of active operation of the Union of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Macedonia, the President of the Union informed President Ivanov on the results achieved of the implemented activities by their union.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Ms. Dusanka Divjak-Tomic, the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Makoto Taketoshi, and the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Nurbah Rustemov.

President Ivanov wished the three newly appointed ambassadors welcome and success in the execution of the diplomatic mission, and expressed expectation for constructive cooperation and contribution to the improvement of the overall bilateral relations.

At the ceremony of presenting the letters of credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the overall development of the Macedonian - Serbian relations and mutual commitment to fostering and building good neighborly relations.

"I am confident that the established legal framework, the Cooperation Agreement in the European Integration Process between our countries is an excellent basis for cooperation, exchange of experience and mutual support. We want to be partners and friends in the integration processes with the Republic of Serbia", said in her address to the Macedonian president.

H.E. Divjak-Tomic expressed readiness to contribute to the further advancement of traditionally friendly relations in all domains, and to consistent implementation of the policy of good neighborliness.

"Main prerequisite for achieving set goals, which require great effort is sincere political dialogue based on full mutual respect of the territorial integrity and the fundamental principles of international law", Ambassador Dusanka Divjak-Tomic said in her address at the ceremony of presenting the credentials.

At the meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Makoto Taketoshi, President Ivanov expressed his expectation for further improvement of bilateral relations between the countries by introducing new forms and contents, primarily in the field of economy.

"The assistance Japan provided after the devastating 1963 earthquake in Skopje, as well as the continuing financial and technical assistance of Japan to the Republic of Macedonia since its independence have only deepened the firmly established friendship that needs to be nurtured constantly", President Ivanov said in the welcome address.

Japanese Ambassador Taketoshi said Japan highly values the steady reform progress being achieved by the Republic of Macedonia after its independence, and hopes to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation in the wake of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"Japan attaches importance to the stability and prosperity in South Eastern Europe, including the Republic of Macedonia, and hence wishes to continue to assist the efforts of your country towards democratic reforms and economic development", Ambassador Taketoshi said in his address.

At the ceremony of presenting the credentials by Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Nurbah Rustemov, President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the established political dialogue at the highest level and expectation for a more comprehensive cooperation in the future and finalization of the legal framework between the two countries.

"We are fully ready to cooperate and expect that in the future economic cooperation, as strategic areas, would prevail energy, agriculture, construction and tourism, as well as investment activity in both directions", the President said in his welcome speech.

Ambassador Rustemov said that the official visit of the President to Astana last year was an important impetus for intensification of bilateral and multilateral cooperation and expressed readiness to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the economic sphere.

"Priority for both countries is to strengthen business contacts and implement joint projects. In many areas of cooperation, there is great potential, especially to increase trade and expand cooperation in the field of investment", Ambassador Rustemov said in his address.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, sent a congratulation message to the members of the Jewish community.

Respected citizens,

It is my honor and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to all the members of the Jewish community in our country on the occasion of the Jewish festival of Lights - Hanukkah.

The Hanukkah holiday celebrates freedom, victory over tyranny, and, above all, freedom of human spirit. The lightning of the candles symbolizes the continuous burning of oil in the Maccabean Temple of Victory. Victory means celebrating the triumph over violence and oppression. Reviewing history, I cannot but mention the numerous sufferings and ordeals of the members of the Jewish community, who always managed to find the light of the day. The strive to victory, the quest for a better life and many sacrifices have made the Jews a symbol of rebellion, fight, self-awareness and fairness.

Therefore, today united, we continue the path to the overall development and prosperity, creating a better living standard and promoting mutual relations with mutual respect, celebrating tradition and shared principles of equality and freedom.

With the traditional greeting HAG HANUKKAH SAMEACH, I congratulate you the holiday of light and victory, wishing you pleasant festive days.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov