The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter of condolences to the President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Shi Jinping, on the occasion of the devastating earthquake in the southwest province of Sichuan.

Distinguished Mr. President,

With deep sorrow I heard the news of the earthquake that caused a real tragedy in the Sichuan province and I deeply regret the loss of lives and the huge caused by this terrible natural disaster.

In these sad moments for you, for the citizens of your country and the families of the victims and of the injured and those who lost their homes, allow me, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to extend my sincere condolences.

Distinguished Mr. President, I am deeply convinced that humanity and solidarity will help alleviate the consequences of this great tragedy. Please convey deep sympathy to the families of the victims.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, who is paying an official visit to the Republic of Macedonia.

The talks focused on the current development of bilateral relations between the two countries and the opportunities to intensify economic cooperation.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Qatari Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the continuing political dialogue between the two countries and with the regular meetings at all levels.

The Macedonian President welcomed the first visit of the Prime Minister of Qatar to the Republic of Macedonia. "Your visit to Skopje is confirmation of the established friendship between the two countries. I sincerely hope that the visit will be productive and will be a strong signal and encouragement for further strengthening of cooperation in many areas of mutual interest", President Ivanov stressed.

During the meeting, they exchanged views and information on the possibilities for enhanced economic cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar, through implementation of specific investment projects in several areas. President Ivanov stressed the need for further improvement of the legal framework between the two countries and commended today's signing of memorandums of cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and in the field of healthcare.

Prime Minister of Qatar said that there is a sincere will and possibility in the upcoming period to strengthen cooperation between the two friendly countries, particularly in the economic sphere. In this regard, he added that several areas and specific projects for investment have already been analyzed, with the assurance that the excellent political relations will soon result in concrete projects.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the opening of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Skopje and expectation that Resident Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Skopje will soon take the office.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with H.E. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.

During the meeting, they exchanged views and information on the Republic of Macedonia's European integration – the ongoing reform process, the Spring Report of the European Commission on Macedonia's progress and expectations of the upcoming EU Summit.

Stressing that the main priority of the Republic of Macedonia is the opening of negotiations for membership in the EU, President Ivanov commended and expressed satisfaction with the assessment of the European Commission, noting that it continuously delivers results. The Republic of Macedonia deserves to get a positive decision at the June Council.

"Despite the political challenges we faced, we have achieved good results in all areas assessed in the Spring Report, we are constantly committed to the reform processes in the key areas, to the promotion of good neighborly relations with all our neighbors and we participate constructively in the efforts to overcome the outstanding bilateral issues", President Ivanov said, recalling that the Council's conclusions of last December paved the path for a possible decision to start accession negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia in June this year.

In this context, the Macedonian President once again appealed for support from the EU member states for a date to start negotiations. "It will be an additional incentive for the country to further focus on meeting the European agenda, and it will restore the confidence of the citizens in the EU institutions and its credibility", President Ivanov said.

The Macedonian President said that the Republic of Macedonia highly appreciates the engagement of the EU High Representative, Ashton, and of the European Commission to continue the process of EU enlargement to the Balkan countries, indicating that the integration process is crucial to overcoming challenges and misunderstandings in the region.

The High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Ashton, said that it is beneficial for all the integration process to continue, that she strongly supports and encourages the reform processes in our country. Both interlocutors positively assessed the Commission's Report and agreed on the impact of the European unification and integration of the Western Balkan countries, illustrated through President Ivanov's vision of Pax Europeana.

Moreover, at the meeting views were exchanged on the latest developments in the neighborhood and in the region, as well as on the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia in the promotion of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today sent a letter of condolences to the President of the United States, Barack Obama, marking the tragedy during the Boston Marathon.

Honorable Mr. President,

With great shock and deep concern I learned of the tragedy during the Boston Marathon.

In these moments of great sadness, let me express, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, my heartfelt condolences and encourage you in the persistence and determination in the fight against violence and crime, regardless of the source of motivation. I assure you that it your mission against such criminal acts that spread fear and no one is safe, you have in the Republic of Macedonia an honest partner. Mr. President our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the injured.

Please convey the deepest condolences and our solidarity to the families of the victims.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today, April 12th, 2013, Mr. Johan Tarculovski.

President Ivanov and his wife, Ms. Maja Ivanova, wished warm welcome in the Republic of Macedonia to Mr. Tarculovski, who was accompanied by his wife and their two children.

At the cordial meeting, President Ivanov wished that no one shares Johan’s destiny of the past eight years. The Macedonian President said that may what happened in our country in 2001 never happen again. We should focus on the future, President Ivanov said, adding that the return of Johan Tarculovski in Macedonia should be a step towards further building rof econciliation and coexistence in Macedonia, as it has always been practiced in this region in the past.

Johan Tarculovski, thanking President Ivanov for the reception and the honor given to him by the Republic of Macedonia, said that the invitation for a meeting with President Ivanov was a great honor for him, as well as the opportunity to visit the Office of the President of the Republic of Macedonia. Before the meeting with President Ivanov, Mr. Tarculovski in Villa “Vodno” was welcomed by his former colleagues from the Office of the President of the Republic of Macedonia. Johan Tarculovski was a member of the security team of the former President of the Republic of Macedonia, Boris Trajkovski.

Today, in the People's Office of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Skopje, a lecture was delivered on "The World of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies", organized by the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" - Skopje.

Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, a new type of materials and technologies that are potential areas of study and investment, were presented before the attendees by Prof. Dr. Anita Grozdanov, Vice Dean of Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy and a national contact point for the 7th Framework Programme for nanomaterials and manufacturing technologies of the European Commission.

Many academia representatives, people from the business community, representatives of state institutions had the opportunity to see an overview of the features of nanomaterijalite and nanotechnologies, their application through a series of projects implemented so far and to exchange views on their potential application in different areas.

As part of their commitment to support science, scientific institutions and young scientists, President Ivanov conveys the message that to experience economic growth, progress of the society and to keep the pace with the global developments, the Republic of Macedonia needs educated young people who are ready to implement applicable scientific research. Lectures of this kind contribute to stimulating the interest of young people to study new materials and technologies and active work in the area of their development and application. In this regard, President Ivanov continuously expresses his support for organizing lectures that enrich technical culture of youth and instigate them to new technical developments.

In context of the scientific research of nanomaterials, the Ministry of Education and Science in cooperation with the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, organized the contest on "Nanomaterials - Materials of the Future", involving in the first phase 434 teams from 45 state high schools. The best selected teams will participate in the national contest "Nanomaterials - Materials of the Future", which will be held on 13 and 14 April 2013 in Struga.