The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter to Lt. Gen. Michael Dubie, congratulating him on his promotion to Lieutenant General and assuming the new post - Deputy Commander of the United States Northern Command.

Lieutenant General Michael Dubie made an outstanding contribution to the development of the partnership between the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the Vermont National Guard, by embedding Macedonian troops in the Vermont National Guard within the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. In addition, Lieutenant General Michael Dubie contributed to the strengthening of the relations between the peoples of the Republic of Macedonia and the United States.

“It is with particular pleasure that I wish to congratulate you on your promotion to Lieutenant General as well as on assuming your new function of Deputy Commander of the United States Northern Command. I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your contribution to the development of partnership relations between the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the Vermont National Guard. This partnership also contributed to the strengthening of relations between the people of the Republic of Macedonia and the people of the United States of America; relations which have continuously been developed and expanded to areas such as education, healthcare and culture.

Dear friend, one thing is clear. You have the leadership qualities which are necessary to bring the two peoples closer. If we add to these qualities the values you aim towards – integrity, excellence and teamwork, then success is inevitable. Macedonia is thankful for your leadership in the development of partnership between our nations. The culmination of these efforts was the embedding of Macedonian troops in the Vermont National Guard while it was deployed in Afghanistan. There can be no bigger proof of partnership between two peoples than the one when their soldiers fight shoulder to shoulder for the same values. As the Supreme Commander of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, I wish to thank you for your leadership in the achievement of this partnership.

As you know, the main priority of the Republic of Macedonia, ever since its independence, has been its fully-fledged membership in NATO. Unfortunately, due to the opposition by our southern neighbor, the Republic of Macedonia is still not able to obtain an invitation to join NATO. However, this has not, in any way, discouraged us or detracted us from achieving that goal. We are indeed grateful to the United States of America and to you personally for allowing us to prove that we are de facto a NATO member, by embedding Macedonian troops in the Vermont National Guard within the frame of ISAF.

I am strongly convinced that the partnership and fruitful cooperation between Macedonia and the United States of America and Vermont in particular, and the partnership between the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the National Guard will continue to develop, because you are one of those who laid the solid foundation for this to happen. Therefore, I wish once again to convey the gratitude of Macedonian people.“

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

During his stay in the Republic of Turkey, where he spent his summer vacation with his family, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At an invitation of Prime Minister Erdogan, President Ivanov and his wife last night attended the Iftar Dinner, hosted in Istanbul, on the occasion of the Muslim holiday Ramadan.

Prime Minister Erdogan invited the Macedonian President during his official visit to the Republic of Macedonia last year, commending President Ivanov’s practice of attending each year the Iftar Dinner in the Republic of Macedonia together with the head of the Islamic community.

In his address at the Iftar Dinner, President Ivanov congratulated the holiday, adding that in these moments of celebration, he wishes all believers to be blessed with peace, love, tolerance and mutual understanding. To feel the values that unite, not divide people and nations. - I come from a country that is dedicated to nurturing the centuries-old tradition of multi-ethnic and multi-religious coexistence. Coexistence that is our great achievement that makes us proud. Achievement that shows that the place of our country and is within the European family of nations and states. Our outstanding contribution as a country in which religions, traditions and various ethnic groups collaborate in building a common home, is proof that a better future for the region is possible, Europe and the world, President Ivanov said at the dinner.

Prime Minister Erdogan thanked President Ivanov for his presence and expressed satisfaction that he celebrates this important holiday for the Muslim world together with the Macedonian president. The Turkish Prime Minister emphasized that this is yet another proof of President Ivanov's respect to Ramadan and to the Muslim religion believers, something that fortifies the traditional friendship and close relations between the two countries.

The dinner was attended by many famous persons from the political, business, religious and public life in Turkey. Among those present was the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with whom President Ivanov had a very cordial meeting.

President Ivanov yesterday also had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, to congratulate him Ramadan, wishing him personal and family happiness. Discussing the latest developments in the region, the excellent overall bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey were again highlighted.

Dear Mr. President,

Allow me, looking back two decades ago, on one of the historical dates for my country - August 5, 1992, when the Russian Federation brought a decision to recognize the statehood and independence of the Republic of Macedonia, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to convey expressions of respect and appreciation, as well as the desire to share with you the importance of this date for our two countries.

Such a decision of one of the most important world international players and its leadership which showed statesmanlike conduct and vision to recognize the newly independent state, the Republic of Macedonia, under its constitutional name, at a critical time of our emergence on the international arena, was of historical importance for the Republic of Macedonia. It was a decision that facilitated the process of international recognition of the statehood, independence and wider affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia in the international community.

Availing myself of this solemn opportunity, I would like to remind you that only two years after the recognition, in 1994, the two countries established full diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level that worked efficiently for the promotion of inter-state relations and development of cooperation between our citizens in all areas of mutual interest.

I am pleased to say that the overall relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries have been in continuity and successfully built, promoted and deepened. Today, the relations are characterized by exceptionally high political level and developed cooperation in many areas, established legal framework of bilateral documents, spirit of friendship, mutual understanding and respect that is consistent with the long historical, spiritual and cultural traditions of our peoples, and the economic interests with a common imperative for further strengthening.

Therefore, today, I would like to stress particularly the high appreciation and gratitude we have for the strong and principled support we receive wholeheartedly from the friendly Turkey in meeting our strategic goals, membership in NATO, the EU and in building the Republic of Macedonia as a modern democracy in which coexistence, dialogue and respect for diversity is a reality.

For these benefits, of utmost importance is the political dialogue at all levels, including the highest, which was recently re-confirmed at the meeting between you and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, His Excellency Mr. Nikola Gruevski, at the Forum in St. Petersburg, where it was agreed, with your commitment, that the Republic of Macedonia should be connected to the international energy corridors. I want to assure you that in the spirit of the established friendship, I am ready, along with you, to further contribute to the strengthening of the relations and cooperation between our two countries.

At the end, I wish you and the citizens of the Russian Federation further successes in the advancement and enhancement of the Russian Federation. I wish you personally good health, happiness and success in the execution of the exceptionally responsible function.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

On the occasion of August 2nd – Ilinden, Day of the Republic, the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov addressed a congratulations note to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and to all Macedonians throughout the world.

Dear citizens,

I wish to extend my warmest congratulations on the occasion of August 2nd, Ilinden – the Day of the Republic. Thanks to the two Ilindens, in 1903 and 1944, the beacons of our struggle for an independent state, today we have the possibility to live in a democratic and independent Republic of Macedonia.

109 years after the Ilinden uprising and 68 years after the ASNOM Session, the ideals of Ilinden revolutionaries and ASNOM participants are part of our everyday life and part of the vision for our future – a prosperous Republic of Macedonia, a country of equality for all citizens. Therefore, today we have all the reasons to celebrate and to be proud. Celebrating Ilinden in the Republic of Macedonia and all over the world, let us thank and pay tribute to all known and unknown heroes from our history. The foundations that they laid are now the bases for modern and independent Republic of Macedonia.

Dear fellow citizens, new temptations and challenges lay before us. United and in our togetherness, let us continue working with dedication to the building of a modern, prosperous and European society.

Many happy returns of the day.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

Your Excellency,

It is a great honor and pleasure, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to congratulate you the National Day of the Swiss Confederation with best wishes for further prosperity of your country and welfare of its citizens.

Let me use this solemn opportunity to express my confidence that the relations of friendship and mutual understanding, and the cooperation between our two countries, will be further developed and built in the future. I would like to underline the interest and willingness of the Republic of Macedonia to further promote cooperation in all fields of common interest.

With sincere wishes for further professional success, personal happiness and good health, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation letter to the President of the Maldives, Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Maldives:

Dear Mr. President,
It gives me special pleasure, on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Maldives, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to extend my cordial congratulations and sincere wishes for prosperity of your country and welfare of its citizens.

Let me use this solemn occasion to express my belief that with joint efforts we will contribute to the further development of relations and enhancement of cooperation between our two countries in all areas of common interest.

With sincere wishes for further professional success, personal happiness and good health, please, Mr. President, accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov