Your Excellency,

It is my honor and pleasure, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to congratulate you the Chinese New Year, with best wishes for success, prosperity and welfare of the friendly Chinese people.
In this solemn occasion, I would like to express my conviction and reiterate our full readiness that the excellent and friendly relations and the fruitful cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the People’s Republic of China in the period to come will be further successfully developed.
Distinguished Mr. President, let me once again assure you that the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and I, personally, are always grateful for the consistent and continuous support and assistance from the People’s Republic of China.
With such confidence and with best wishes for your further professional success, good health and personal happiness, please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today received the Letters of Credence by the newly appointed Ambassador of the French Republic, H.E. Ms. Laurence Auer.

At the ceremony of presenting the credentials, President Ivanov wished Ambassador Auеr successful execution of the diplomatic duty and commended the upcoming celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the French Republic.

President Ivanov stressed the importance of the support of the French Republic in the integration process of the Republic of Macedonia to the European Union and NATO, and said that, despite the blockades, the country continues with the same enthusiasm to implement the reforms.

“I would like to assure you that the blockades we face in the attainment of these goals do not reduce our enthusiasm and commitment at all. On the contrary, they are an additional motive, and, for us, the question of formal membership in NATO and the EU has never been whether, but when. And until then, the Republic of Macedonia will continue implementing the reforms and meeting the standards and criteria, for the formal membership to become a purely technical issue. I hope the French Republic, given the reality in our region and the broader collective interests for enlargement of the zone of stability, security and prosperity in Southeast Europe, will help the Republic of Macedonia in this regard”, President Ivanov said in his welcome address.

The Ambassador of the French Republic expressed confidence that France will remain committed to deepening bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest and expressed support in the realization of the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia.

“My mission comes at a crucial moment for your country on its path towards the European Union, in preparing its legislation and good practices, investing in the future, good-neighborly relations. In this regard, we are aware of the obstacles and we wish, as soon as possible, a mutually acceptable solution regarding the name issue to be found”, Ambassador Auer said in her speech.

Both interlocutors welcomed the successful development of bilateral relations between both countries and agreed that there is still untapped potential in the sphere of economy, culture, education and science, as well as in the intensification of the economic relations.

 At the same time, the Macedonian President expressed his willingness to re-establish a dialogue at the highest level, in order to maintain the traditionally friendly and historical ties between the two countries and extended his assurances of highest consideration to the President of the French Republic, H.E. Francois Hollande.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, received the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Saied Sadegh Mohammadi.

President Ivanov, in his welcome speech, wished the newly appointed Ambassador Mohammadi successful execution of his mission and expressed hope that, as the first resident ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of Macedonia, he will contribute to the development of cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.

”Priority in the relations between the two countries in the coming period should be promoting economic cooperation and strengthening trade exchange”, President Ivanov said, stressing the need to improve the contractual framework between the two countries.

Ambassador Mohammadi said that his appointment as first resident ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia is a confirmation of Iran’s determination to build and develop cooperation with the Republic of Macedonia.

“Due to the old civilization, rich culture, commitment to building peaceful coexistence between different ethnic and religious groups, Macedonia enjoys special status in the Islamic Republic of Iran, being the gateway to the Balkans and Europe. I am confident, Your Excellency, that, with your support and our determination, essential steps will be taken towards the development of bilateral relations”, Ambassador Mohammadi said in his solemn speech.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with the Head of the Liaison Office of the Hellenic Republic in the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Theoharis Lalakos.

President Ivanov wished Ambassador Lalakos welcome and success in the execution of his function and expressed his belief that his engagement will contribute to the further advancement of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Macedonian President reaffirmed the willingness to strengthen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest and expressed openness to meetings, exchange of opinions and views. In this context, President Ivanov renewed the invitation for a meeting with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias. “I am deeply convinced that we, as heads of two neighboring states, will make a significant contribution to our shared vision of regional stability and prosperity, common present and future in the big European and Euro-Atlantic family”, the Macedonian President said after meeting Ambassador Lalakos.

In the talks, they exchanged views on the opportunities for strengthening the cooperation in the field of high education through joint study programs, exchange of professors and students, when President Ivanov stressed the necessity of signing a bilateral agreement on mutual recognition of diplomas.

Both interlocutors concluded that despite the name issue, bilateral relations between the two countries are at a high level. The Macedonian President expressed expectation that during Lalakos’ term, the diplomatic representation in both countries should be elevated, from Liaison Offices into Embassies.

President Ivanov, reached a decision to launch an initiative to establish an objective nonpartisan Expert Commission to establish the facts on the events of December 24, 2012, in and outside the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and the preceding events.
 
The letter with President Ivanov’s initiative was sent to the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, to the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Nikola Gruevski and to the President of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski.
 
It is an extremely important period for the Republic of Macedonia with respect to the achievement of its strategic goals. The last conclusion of the European Council, although it did not meet our expectations, is still a perspective for the next step in terms of the European integration process, which is setting a date for the start of accession negotiations. The preceding events that culminated on December 24, 2012, in and outside the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, are a challenge in this process, which must be addressed by us, as a country.
 
I believe you will agree that it is necessary that we all should make every effort to repair the negative image created for the Republic of Macedonia. In this regard, following our meeting with Commissioner Stefan Füle, taking into consideration the interests of the state and our citizens, I have decided to initiate the establishment of an objective, nonpartisan expert commission which will be mandated to establish the facts involving the aforementioned events. At this point I can not see any other way to determine the facts and objective understanding of the situation. The challenges imposed to us as a state that stand in the way of progress, must be overcome, in order to prevent the ideas about our future that are not in favor of anyone who wants the best for the Republic of Macedonia.

My proposal is that this Commission, whose chairman would be proposed by me, but elected by consensus, is consisted of 5 members – experts, one of them proposed by me, one by the ruling majority, two by the opposition and a foreign expert (without voting right) who is to be proposed by the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia. I underline that this Commission will be only mandated to establish the facts on the events of December 24, 2012, and the preceding events.
 
I hope that this proposal will be accepted and that you will nominate experts as members of the Commission. In anticipation of your reply, I remain

Sincerely,

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the holiday of St. Sava, sent a congratulation message to the members of the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia.
 
Dear fellow citizens,
 
On my behalf and on behalf of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, let me congratulate the great holiday of St. Sava.
 
Saint Sava is a rare example of commitment, faith and perseverance. His enlightenment role, knowledge and wisdom are the spiritual fortress of the Serbian people and inexhaustible source of faith, hope and love to God, to ourselves and to the closest ones.
 
The Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia, its traditions and customs, celebrations and historical figures are an integral segment of the overall cultural and social life in our country. The respect for cultural and historical heritage of all ethnic communities in the Republic of Macedonia is fundamental in building mutual understanding and coexistence as an investment in the establishment of a modern and prosperous Macedonia.
 
May you spend your holiday in peace, happiness and prosperity.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov