Your Majesty,

It gives me special honor and pleasure, on the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Denmark, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to convey heartfelt congratulations and sincere wishes for prosperity of your country and wellbeing of the friendly Danish people.

On this solemn occasion, let me applaud the continued development of the traditionally good relations and cooperation between our two friendly countries. I avail myself of this opportunity to express hope that the support of the Kingdom of Denmark for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia will continue in the period after the Danish Presidency of the European Union.

With such a conviction, Your Majesty, I extend the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Zagreb, had a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Ivo Josipovic.

Both presidents agreed that bilateral relations and political dialogue are excellent, and that cooperation between both countries has been marked with continuous positive development.

President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the Republic of Croatia’s support for the efforts and activities that the Republic of Macedonia has been investing to join as soon as possible NATO and the EU, particularly for Croatia’s support expressed at the NATO Summit in Chicago. The Macedonian President expressed hope that support will continue, because the Republic of Croatia best understands the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration for the countries in the region, and its lasting stability. President Josipovic said that the Republic of Macedonia can count on unconditional support from the Republic of Croatia in the future.

At the meeting, views and information were exchanged on the situation in the region and regional cooperation. The possibility to implement the project Adriatic-Ionian highway was discussed and its connection to Corridor 10, and in that context, it was agreed to intensify contacts in this field. The two presidents exchanged information on the economic state of play in the respective countries.

Mr. President,

Let me extend my most sincere gratitude for the letter you have sent me on the occasion of my election as President of the French Republic.

I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate that I will do my utmost for continuation and deepening of the friendly relations cherished by our two countries.

Macedonia’s aspirations to become European Union and NATO member state is a political project that I support. France will further assist you to be prepared. I am convinced that you will continue your efforts in implementing internal reforms necessary to join the European Union.

My desire is that a mutually acceptable solution to the name dispute with Greece to be found as soon as possible and thus the obstacle for attaining your ambitions will be removed.

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

Francois Hollande

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a letter of condolences to H.E. Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, for the victims in the Doha fire:

With great sorrow I received the news on the great tragedy, the fire at the Doha trade center, whose flames took priceless human lives. I sincerely regret for the lost lives in this great calamity.

Please allow me, in these sad moments for you, the friendly people of Qatar and the family of the victims, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia as well as on my personal behalf, to extend sincere condolences. I assure you that in these moments of grief, our thoughts are with you and the families of the victims.

Please, Your Highness, convey the expressions of our condolences to the friendly people of Qatar.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today received representatives of the Royal College of Defence Studies from Great Britain.

The regional visit of the Royal College is led by Major General Sebastian Roberts. In Skopje they arrived after previous visit to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and hence will visit Greece.

At the meeting, views were exchanged on the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia, on the outcome of the Summit in Chicago, whereas the interlocutors from the United Kingdom expressed interest for the two-decade bilateral dispute with Greece, which hinders Macedonia’s integration prospects.

President Ivanov once again elaborated to the representatives from the Royal College the position of the Republic of Macedonia after the Summit in Chicago, saying that while the Alliance failed to change the conclusion regarding Macedonia given the verdict, our country continues to consistently contribute to the NATO-led missions and fully supports the policies of the Organization.

As an institution that has influence on the strengthening of the strategic thinking on future policy makers, President Ivanov briefed the delegation from the Royal College on the possibilities to unblock Macedonia’s integration, by respecting the Interim Agreement, demonstrating constructiveness and adhering to the frame of the name talks, indicating that the abuse of consensus and the concept of solidarity in NATO and the EU could cause serious disruption to the international credibility of both institutions.

Royal College of Defence Studies is a postgraduate program for International Strategic Studies, focusing on security, stability and progress. The best orators in the United Kingdom come from this college, from the academic sphere, and practitioners in the field of strategies, such as ministers, diplomats and even heads of state.

Personnel from the Army of the Republic of Macedonia has also been trained in the renowned College of Defence Studies.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today received Ms. Barbara Prammer, President of the National Council of Austria.

Positive momentum in the development of the overall bilateral relations with a clear willingness to deepen them further was mutually determined at the meeting. The role of the parliaments of both countries was stressed as a particularly important segment in the mutual cooperation.

President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the consistent and vocal support from Austria - the process of Macedonia’s EU integration to take place in parallel with the talks on the name, and expressed sincere expectation that Austria would strongly advocate for unblocking of Macedonia at the European Council in June. In this regard, the President said that he expects the European Union at the upcoming meeting to finally evaluate, not only to note, the progress made by the Republic of Macedonia, and not to delay the start of accession negotiations.

President Ivanov also called on the European partners to urge Greece to comply with the obligations of the Interim Accord and the ICJ ruling, as they request Greece to respect the obligations of the financial aid package. Despite unjust and unsubstantiated blockades, Macedonia will continue to work intensively on attaining fully the European standards and will not deviate from the constructive approach in the name talks, Ivanov said, adding that it is necessary to consistently respect the judgment of the Hague, and fair treatment of all member states.

Expressing satisfaction with the commitment of Macedonia in implementing the reforms and the level achieved, the President of the National Council reaffirmed the Austrian support for Macedonia’s EU integration, as well as the efforts of Austria on accession of all Balkan countries to the European family. Prammer noted that it is necessary the name dispute to be separated from the European Union integration and thus expressed hope that Macedonia and Greece will soon find a mutually acceptable solution in the spirit of good neighborly relations.

Both interlocutors exchanged views on the latest developments in the Balkans and agreed that the only viable alternative for the region is full integration into the European Union and NATO.

In order to promote friendly relations, President Ivanov expects return visit of the Austrian President Heinz Fischer in 2013.