Your Royal Majesty

It gives me a great honor and special pleasure, on the occasion of the birth of the first child of the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to extend most sincere congratulations and warmest wishes for happiness and prosperity. Please convey my sincere congratulations to the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Confident that the newborn child is a real blessing for the Royal family and for your great Nation, I am certain that your great-grandson will secure the future of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and will continue down the path of wise and dedicated rule.

I also avail myself of this solemn occasion to commend the constant progress in the development of the traditionally good relations and cooperation between our two friendly countries.

On this note, Your Royal Majesty, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

Today, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met with Mr. Borche Davitkovski, President of the ad hoc Inquiry Committee on the events prior to and of December 24, 2012.

At the meeting, the President was briefed on the activities and results of the work of the Committee so far, as well as on the differences in the points of view on certain issues between the members of the Committee from VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM. President Ivanov was also informed about the decision by Mr. Davitkovski to resign from the duty of President of the ad hoc Committee.

Taking note of the new developments, the Macedonian President welcomed the work of the Committee so far, estimated by both parties as a solid basis for a successful outcome which would contribute to the full implementation of the March 1 agreement.

President Ivanov expressed his hope that in spite of these new developments, the Committee will find a way to successfully complete the task it has assumed.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in a farewell meeting the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland, H.E. Juha Ottman. The meeting expressed full readiness to strengthen and boost friendship with the Republic of Finland. In that regard, President Ivanov expressed interest in strengthening contacts at all levels.

The Macedonian President reaffirmed the interest in intensifying the economic cooperation, as well as the cooperation in all other areas. At the meeting, President Ivanov said that European Union and NATO membership remain strategic objectives of the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov and Ambassador Othman exchanged views on the situation in the region of Southeast Europe. The Macedonian President expressed his gratitude for the overall commitment of Ambassador Othman aimed at strengthening the relations between the two countries and wished him further personal and professional success.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in a farewell meeting the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Shigeo Iwatani.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the development of the bilateral relations and the advancement of the cooperation between the two countries. The Macedonian President stressed the need to strengthen the contacts at state and government level, which, according to him, would provide a strong impulse in the desired direction. "There are many untapped potentials for enhancing cooperation in all areas, especially in the area of economy. The focus of our attention should be drawn to the utilization of these resources and opportunities", President Ivanov said at the meeting.

The Macedonian President expressed his gratitude for the current technical and economic cooperation and for the numerous donations and projects implemented through the programs of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. President Ivanov stressed the need to strengthen the trade exchange and to attract Japanese investment in the Republic of Macedonia.

The Macedonian President thanked the Ambassador Iwatani for the contributions in promoting relations and cooperation between the two countries and wished him further personal and professional success.