Distinguished Mr. President,

It is a great honor and great pleasure, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to extend my cordial congratulations on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria.

In this solemn occasion, I would like to express my conviction that with mutual engagement we will strengthen the traditionally friendly relations between our two countries, as well as the regional cooperation, as an important factor in function of achieving the strategic goals of our two countries for the stability and prosperity of the region.

Please, Mr. President, accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Guido Westerwelle.

The talks focused on the challenges facing the Republic of Macedonia in the context of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the ongoing internal political developments in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Ivanov asked for support of the Federal Republic of Germany and the other European Union Member States for a date for starting negotiations with the Union. In this context, the German Minister was informed about the latest developments in the talks on the name issue, as well as about the constructive and dedicated approach of the Republic of Macedonia in the promotion of good neighborly relations with all its neighbors.

Minister Westerwelle expressed support for the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration, saying that there is no dilemma for Germany that the future of the Republic of Macedonia is in the Euro-Atlantic family, adding that the integration processes are of crucial importance for strengthening and improvement of the democratic processes in the Republic of Macedonia.

Both interlocutors exchanged views and information on the current political situation in the country. “The political dialogue is extremely important to maintain the necessary balance of the social and political conditions currently present in the country. In the future, as before, I will continuously do my best to facilitate the dialogue between the government and the opposition, in favor of the overall progress of the Macedonian society”, President Ivanov said.

Minister Westerwelle said that the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany support President Ivanov’s initiative and his efforts and arrangements to overcome the political situation in the country, which create concern in terms of the integration process. He also expressed hope that reason will prevail and that the Republic of Macedonia will restore the normal political and parliamentary life.

President Ivanov and Minister Westerwelle welcomed the upward development of the bilateral relations, demonstrated in the continuous exchange of visits at the highest level, in the year when we mark the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today hosted a working lunch for the Ambassadors of the Western Balkan countries, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia and the Head of Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Macedonia, in accordance with the tradition established last year.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Aivo Orav, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Branko Rakovec, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Mr. Zlatko Kramarić, Ambassador of Montenegro, H.E. Mr. Dusan Mrdovic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Mr. Zdravko Begovic, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Arben Cejku, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Mr. Ylber Hysa and the Charge d’ Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Dusanka Divjak-Tomic.

The talks focused on the Euro-Atlantic integration as a strategic commitment of the countries of the region, the current reform processes and the perspectives in this regard. President Ivanov and the ambassadors agreed that the European integration of all Western Balkan countries is of special importance. General conclusion was that the integration should be seen primarily through the prism of uniting communities via political, ethnic and social consensus, then, as a tool for meeting the standards and criteria that will lead to improvement of the overall social results, and, finally, as a tool that urges the countries to close collaboration and cooperation.

President Ivanov reaffirmed the position that the Republic of Macedonia remains committed to meeting the European agenda and that the setting of a date for starting accession negotiations with the European Union is essential for the Republic of Macedonia and for the process of enlargement as the EU’s most successful policy. Further integration will positively influence the situation in the region, was the conclusion of the participants.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on the current situation in the Republic of Macedonia and in the region, the challenges facing individual countries, and they agreed that all outstanding issues should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect and understanding, and in the spirit of good neighborly relations and European standards.

The Macedonian President acknowledged the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia to strengthen, deepen and promote good neighborly relations and regional cooperation as a strategic objective of the country, and expressed his expectation for constructive and success of the upcoming regional meetings hosted by the Republic of Macedonia, as well as hope that the Macedonian Chairmanship with the South-East European Cooperation Process and Dialogue among Civilizations will actively contribute to the promotion of cooperation in the region.

In terms of bilateral relations with the Western Balkan countries, it was concluded at the meeting that they are excellent, with regular meetings and exchange of visits. The interlocutors pointed to the economy, trade and investment as areas of cooperation with untapped potential for strengthening. At the meeting, they also pointed out the importance of completion of infrastructure projects of interest to the region, the Adriatic-Ionian Highway and Corridors 8 and 10.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today hosted the traditional lunch with the Ambassadors of the Visegrad group countries, accredited in the Republic of Macedonia. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Poposki, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Rames, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Mr. Przemyslaw Czyz, Charge d’ Affairs in the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Dr. Robert Kirnag and the Deputy Ambassador of Hungary, Mr. Attila Pinter.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations and the continuing political dialogue between the Republic of Macedonia and the Visegrad Group countries, based on the long traditional ties of friendship and mutual understanding.

At the meeting, the interlocutors agreed that the mutual bilateral cooperation is deepening in continuity, but at the same time there is a large untapped potential for more intensive cooperation in numerous areas of mutual interest, especially in the fields of economy, investment, education, culture, tourism, information technologies and agriculture.

President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the principled, open and strong support of the Visegrad Group countries for the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia and of the entire region for European and Euro-Atlantic integration as an important prerequisite for lasting stability, peace and prosperity in Southeast Europe.

The Republic of Macedonia is fully committed to implementing reforms and promoting good neighborly relations with all its neighbors, through a number of initiatives, specific projects. The Republic of Macedonia is constructively participating in the process of finding a solution to the name issue”, President Ivanov said. In this context, the President briefed the Ambassadors with the dedicated work and active participation of the Republic of Macedonia in the regional initiatives, particularly with the goals of the Macedonian Chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process and the 11th Forum of the “Dialogue among Civilizations”, in cooperation with UNESCO and the Council of Europe.

The Ambassadors welcomed and supported the regional activity of the Republic of Macedonia and expressed confidence that the Visegrad group member states, as an influential factor in the EU, will further support the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, the interlocutors exchanged opinions and views on the current political situation in the country, whereas the Macedonian President presented to the Ambassadors his views and positions, as well as his efforts aimed at resolving the political situation in the country.

The Macedonian President once again welcomed the decision of Hungary and of the Czech Republic to formalize the current practice of addressing the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name in the bilateral communication, assessing that it is a confirmation of the excellent relations and a kind of friendly gesture. President Ivanov extended his congratulations to the newly elected president of the Czech Republic, Mr. Milos Zeman.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Ivan Mrkic.

The meeting confirmed the excellent bilateral relations, characterized with a continuous political dialogue and regular meetings at all levels. President Ivanov and Minister Mrkic agreed that there are many issues that bind the two countries, despite the small number of issues to which there are differences, and also expressed satisfaction that those issues do not affect the cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, that are marked with constant positive dynamics.

It was noted in the discussion that the cooperation between the two countries in the future should focus on further deepening of the economic and trade cooperation.

In order to meet the common strategic goal of integration into the European Union, President Ivanov welcomed the signing of the Agreement for cooperation in the European integration processes, as a basis for mutual cooperation, assistance and support on the path to the EU membership.

In the interest of safety, stability and prosperity in the region, the Macedonian President stressed the need for building good-neighborly relations and commitment of all countries to the regional cooperation. In this regard, the President informed the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs with the goals of the Macedonian Chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process.