With deep sorrow I learned of the death of the Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Maxim, and I sincerely regret the great loss for you, your country and the friendly Bulgarian people.

Mournful are the moments when believers depart from their spiritual leader. Moments of sorrow, but not without comfort or hope, resulting from the sincere love and faith in God. I am convinced that the life and the deeds of His Holiness Patriarch Maxim, as a person with great authority in the Orthodox world, will remain deeply engraved in the memories of the Bulgarian people, and of the Orthodox believers and people of good will.

Please, Mr. President, convey our deepest condolences to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and to the citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria. Support in such difficult moments gives us strength and reminds us that we are not alone, in good and in times like these.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, yesterday evening, had a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State, Ms. Hillary Clinton, at her request.

The US Secretary of State expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations between the United States and the Republic of Macedonia. Partnership with the Republic of Macedonia for us is very important and we are grateful for the contribution you give to the ISAF, said the Secretary of State Clinton.

Both interlocutors exchanged views and information on the situation in the SEE region. President Ivanov stressed that only accelerated Euro-Atlantic integration of all countries in the region can bring lasting stability, security and prosperity. Your support in view of making a step forward and removing the blockage in the EU integration is extremely important, and we highly value your message from Chicago, said the Macedonian President emphasizing the importance of having the Euro-Atlantic integration process unblocked for the Republic of Macedonia, but also for the entire region. Secretary of State Clinton stressed that the US is and will be a partner of the Republic of Macedonia, that, as before, it will support the strategic objectives of the Republic of Macedonia. We all want to see you in NATO as soon as possible and we sincerely hope that the only obstacle will be removed and you will find a dignified and practical solution to the name issue. We stand ready to help, said the US Secretary of State.

President Ivanov said that finding a mutually acceptable solution would be of mutual benefit and good for the two neighbouring countries. The Republic of Macedonia is actively and constructively participating in the United Nations-led process, and we are ready for a mutually acceptable solution in which there will be no winners and losers, the Macedonian President said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter of condolences to the US President Barack Obama for the victims and the damages caused by the hurricane “Sandy”:

With profound sorrow I received the news of the devastating consequences of the hurricane “Sandy”, and I deeply regret the loss of lives in this huge natural disaster.

In these sad times for you, for the friendly American people and the families of the victims, allow me, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my behalf, to extend sincere condolences. In these moments of sorrow, when our thoughts are with you and with the families of the victims, I sincerely wish swift reparation of the damaged homes and speedy recovery of the affected regions.

Please, honorable Mr. President, convey our condolences to the families of the victims in this tragedy.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

 

The President of the Republic of Macedonia today received the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Peru, H.E. Mr. Jose Antonio Arrospide del Busto and the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Ms. Anick van Calster.

At the ceremonies of presenting the credentials, President Ivanov congratulated the newly appointed ambassadors on their mission and wished them success in performing ambassadorial duty and in their future endeavors.

At the meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Peru, President Ivanov expressed interest in deepening cooperation at bilateral and multilateral level.

“Despite regional belonging to two different geographical units, I am strongly convinced that there is a common interest among the governments and the two friendly countries, for further joint efforts in promoting relations and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, both at bilateral and multilaterally level”, the Macedonian President said in his address.

“I will do all my best for deepening and extending the links between our countries at all levels, including the political dialogue, the economic-commercial relations, the technical and scientific cooperation and the cultural relationship”, Ambassador Arrospide del Busto said, conveying greetings from the President of the Republic of Peru, Mr. Ollanta Humala.

At the meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, Ms. Anick Van Calster, the two interlocutors confirmed the interest for continuous improvement of mutual relations and intensifying cooperation, especially in the economic sphere. At the same time, President Ivanov stressed the need for support from the Kingdom of Belgium regarding the upcoming December Council meeting with a view to setting a date for starting accession negotiations for EU membership.

"The Republic of Macedonia today is a country that has met all criteria for membership in the Alliance, and we are ready to start accession negotiations with the European Union. Madam Ambassador, availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to extend my gratitude for all the support given so far from your country, and especially for the support of the Republic of Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. I hope that this support will be shown in the following particularly important period for the Republic of Macedonia", President Ivanov said in his address at the ceremony of presenting the credentials.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom Belgium stressed that her country particularly appreciates the efforts of President Ivanov to continue building a peaceful and harmonious society based on inclusive democratic model of integration without assimilation and noted that Belgium remains convinced that the future of the Balkans is within the European Union.

"While we believe that a bilateral dispute, without direct link with the accession negotiations should not interfere in any way on the integration process, we still invite the parties involved to maintain the dialogue in order to find a constructive solution", Ambassador Anick Van Calster said in her address.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the religious holiday Kurban Bairam (Eid al-Adha), sent congratulation message to the Head of the Islamic Religious Community, Reis ul Ulema Sulejman Efendi Rexhepi.

Respected Reis ul Ulema Sulejman Efendi Rexhepi,
Let me extend my cordial congratulations to you personally, to the members of the Riyaset, muftis, imams and to all citizens of Islamic religion in the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the great Muslim holiday Kurban Bairam.

I sincerely wish you spend the holiday in good health, joy, and harmony.

Kurban Bairam is a holiday of solidarity and unity, highlighting all human virtues, and lending helping hand to those less wealthy in need of material support. May this year’s celebration be in such an atmosphere of mutual respect and generosity!

I am convinced that the Islamic Religious Community will continue to take part in building trust and understanding between different religions and ethnicities in the Republic of Macedonia, thus contributing to the achievement of our common vision of a modern, developed and prosperous Republic of Macedonia

Congratulations on your holiday!

Sincerely,
Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the national holiday October 23rd, the Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle, sent congratulation message to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected citizens,
Today, with particular piety and great joy we celebrate the Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle, marking the 119th anniversary of the establishment of the Macedonian revolutionary organization which launched the organized fight of the Macedonian people for freedom and creation of independent state.

The establishment of the revolutionary organization was inspired by the libertarian ideals of the entire nation, which included people from different social strata, with different religious and ethnic backgrounds and with different political ideologies. Their common goal - political and social freedom for Macedonia was the vision uniting the entire citizenry.

Macedonian revolutionary struggle resulted in many sacrifices, steadfastness and heroism left in covenant to us, the current Macedonian citizens and future generations. Today, when we enjoy the fruits of the revolutionary struggle in a free and independent Republic of Macedonia, we have a shared goal to continue on the path of development and progress, creating a modern and prosperous state.

United, we continue forward!
Congratulations on the Holiday!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov