President Ivanov, on the occasion of the International Roma Day - April 8th, sent a congratulation message to the members of the Roma community in the Republic of Macedonia and received the leaders of the Roma political parties in Macedonia.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Amdi Bajram, Union of Roma in Macedonia, Mr. Shaban Saliu, United Democratic Forces of Roma, and Dr. Bajram Berat, Party of Roma integration.

At the meeting, which is traditionally held every year, President Ivanov and the leaders of the Roma parties exchanged views on the situation of the Roma population in the Republic of Macedonia. Moreover, President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia will continue to strive for the promotion of the rights of the Roma community and their full involvement in the Macedonian society.

In this context, President Ivanov stressed that the responsibility of the leaders of the Roma political parties, intellectuals and activists, is of no less importance, since they are expected to engage actively to overcome the challenges faced by the Roma population.

At the meeting, they exchanged views and assessments on the implementation of the Decade of Roma Inclusion. Common conclusion at the meeting was the need for increased activity for the full integration of the Roma population in the Macedonian society, and that the Republic of Macedonia in the European framework is the leader in observance of the rights of Roma as equal citizens of the country.

The leaders of the Roma parties thanked for the invitation and the possibility to meet President Ivanov, saying that it is of great importance for them the importance that the Republic of Macedonia attaches to the situation of Roma, as well as to the celebration of the International Roma Day.

The message President Ivanov sent to the members of the Roma community in Macedonia reads as follows:

Respected,

It gives me special honor and pleasure to all members of the Roma community in the Republic of Macedonia to congratulate the International Roma Day - April 8th.

April 8th is the day celebrated proudly by the largest ethnic minority in Europe, and it is a good opportunity to promote the history and culture of the Roma, but also to discuss the current challenges they are facing.

The Republic of Macedonia is proud of the members of the Roma community, which are an inseparable part of the Macedonian society in terms of the extent of the rights they enjoy, as an example for the whole world. Roma in our country have the opportunity to be educated in their native language and to develop their culture and traditions, to vote for their parties and candidates, and to be represented in all institutions of the state.

Dear fellow citizens of Roma nationality,

The process of further improvement of the social and economic situation of Roma is not stopping and it demands daily activities and maximal engagement. Rest assured that in the institution President and in my personality you have dedicated and faithful supporter of this process.

Many happy returns to this holiday!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

Distinguished Mr. Secretary General,

Extending you the assurances of my highest consideration and appreciation for the cooperation, I would like to remind that on this day, April 8, 20 years ago, the Republic of Macedonia officially became a United Nations member state.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to express my conviction that for the Republic of Macedonia it was a historical and great date, a date when my country was admitted to the large family of free, sovereign and independent world nations. Since then, the Republic of Macedonia has been providing significant contribution to all activities, bodies and policies of the world organization, and to the realization of the principles and spirit of the world organization. We have always had immediate support and assistance in our development processes, preserving the integrity, peace and stability, both within the state and beyond, in the region.

I would like to extend my gratitude to you personally for the support, assistance and your engagement, which is of significant importance for us.

At the same time, I express my conviction and the determination of the citizens of my country that the Republic of Macedonia will remain committed to the realization of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to the success of the campaigns and policies of the world organization aimed at development, prosperity, human rights promotion and democracy in the world for the sake of humanity.

Please, Your Excellency, accept my best wishes for your health, happiness and success in the execution of your responsible mission.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today received, in a farewell meeting, the Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Habib Chawki Hamraoui.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed his satisfaction with the established cooperation with Ambassador Hamraoui and his personal commitment to the enhancement of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Ivanov expressed interest in intensifying political dialogue between the two countries through exchange of visits at all levels. The interlocutors expressed interest and readiness to promote economic cooperation and trade exchange between the two countries, concurring that despite the geographical distance, there is, undoubtedly, untapped potential for economic cooperation. Trade exchange, as President Ivanov said, is at a very low level and does not correspond with the potential for exchange between the two countries, thus, strengthening of the contractual framework will be a boost for binding the two economies together.

President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia is also interested in cooperation with Algeria within the Francophonie. In this regard, the Macedonian President stressed the commitment for development of cultural ties between the two countries within the Francophonie, in order to implement a number of projects in the field of culture, education and science.

It was concluded at the meeting that a high level of relations and cooperation has been achieved between the two countries at multilateral level, on mutual interest matters, within the international organizations.

President Ivanov wished Ambassador Hamraoui success in his future career and expressed expectation that the constructive cooperation will continue with the next Ambassador of Algeria to the Republic of Macedonia, aimed at improvement of relations between the two countries.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today, in a farewell meeting, Ms. Deirdre Boyd, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Coordinator in Macedonia.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the successful cooperation and engagement of UNDP and Ms. Boyd in the Republic of Macedonia. The Macedonian President expressed his satisfaction with the numerous successfully implemented projects during her tenure.

President Ivanov stressed the achievements of the Republic of Macedonia in the field of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and environmental protection, which are largely due to the UNDP engagement and projects.

The Macedonian President stressed the need to support the Macedonian contribution to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, and promotion of activities and efforts of the Republic of Macedonia as current Chair of the South-East European Cooperation Process, made in light of increasing awareness and regional cooperation in these areas.

Ms. Boyd congratulated President Ivanov for his commitment on topics of interest to the United Nations.

At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed his expectation that in the upcoming period, UNDP will engage in the implementation of projects focused on citizens, particularly on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the members of the Japanese delegation led by Mr. Minoru Kiuchi, Parliamentary Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the positive development of the bilateral relations. President Ivanov said to deepen cooperation in all areas for which there is untapped potential on both sides, continuous and intensive political dialogue is necessary, meetings and contacts at all levels.

The Macedonian President expressed readiness to continue and deepen the economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as thankfulness for the technical assistance that the Republic of Macedonia receives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the implementation of several important projects and donations. In order to strengthen trade exchange and to attract Japanese investment, President Ivanov emphasized the favorable conditions that the Republic of Macedonia offers to foreign investors, and pointed out the need to strengthen the legal framework between the two countries.

The interlocutors, during the meeting, considered the possibilities to deepen cooperation in the sphere of education, science and culture. They also expressed interest in opening Japanese Cultural Center in Skopje, as well as to increase the number of scholarships for Macedonian students.
Both sides exchanged views on the developments in the region and in East Asia and expressed readiness to continue the excellent cooperation at multilateral level.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the great Christian holiday, the Resurrection of Christ - Easter, sent a message of congratulations to the Bishop of Skopje and Apostolic Exarch, Mr. Kiro Stojanov and to all Christian believers who celebrate Easter according to the Gregorian calendar.

Respected Mr. Stojanov,

Great is the pleasure and honor for me to congratulate you and all the believers of the Catholic Church in the Republic of Macedonia the upcoming Christian holiday, the Resurrection of Christ - Easter.

I wish this Easter, inspired by its symbolism and meaning, bring love and devotion in our everyday life.

May this great day bring joy, enlightenment and love and motivate us build true humanism and sincere love towards all our fellow citizens. Easter is a proof that there are no constraints that can not be overcome. With faith, hope and love we should proceed in building a prosperous future for our country.

I most cordially wish you to spend this Easter in peace, health, joy and harmony.

Christ is Risen, indeed, He is Risen!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov