The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today received the Letters of Credence of H.E. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, newly appointed Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Ankara.

President Ivanov and Ambassador Shaukat at the meeting discussed the relations between the two countries and expressed hope for further strengthening of the ties between Macedonia and Pakistan.

President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the principled usage of the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in bilateral relations. Also, initiatives for joint ventures in promoting ideas of tolerance were discussed, through the initiative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today hosted the traditional lunch with the Ambassadors of the countries of the Visegrad Group, accredited in the Republic of Macedonia. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, H.E. Josef Braun, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Przemyslav Szyz, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Robert Kirnag, the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Jozsef Bencze, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Poposki.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the high level of bilateral relations and fruitful political dialogue between the Republic of Macedonia and the Visegrad group countries, based on a long tradition of friendship, mutual understanding and shared commitment to further improvement.

Macedonian President welcomed the principled support of the Visegrad Group countries on the Republic of Macedonia and the region’s efforts of Euro-Atlantic integration as a necessary prerequisite for lasting stability, peace and prosperity in Southeast Europe. The Republic of Macedonia, in this regard, has achieved undeniable progress, confirmed with the third recommendation of the European Commission to start negotiations with the EU.

The President briefed the Ambassadors on talks with the UN special envoy, Ambassador Matthew Nimetz during his last visit to the country, and the for confirmation for the rightful and constructive policy of the Republic of Macedonia regarding the name issue, obtained with the judgment of the International Court of Justice. Given all these arguments, the President expressed his expectation that during the Danish Presidency and the upcoming NATO Summit, the situation will move in a positive direction.

The Visegrad Group Ambassadors and the President also agreed that the experience of the Visegrad group countries is a positive example of cooperation and support in the integration processes. President Ivanov stressed that he strongly supports the idea for establishing a fund for the Western Balkans countries according to the model of the Visegrad Fund and will urge the regional leaders to support this initiative.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today received representatives of the European Parliament and members of the group “Friends of Macedonia”, Richard Howitt, Eduard Kukan and Alois Peterle.

President Ivanov welcomed the activities of the group, the engagement and the strong support for immediate implementation of the recommendation of the European Commission to start accession negotiations with Macedonia. President Ivanov and the MEPs Howitt, Kukan and Peterle agreed that Macedonia is waiting too long to open negotiations and that it is necessary to overcome this situation.

At the meeting, the assessments and recommendations presented in the draft Resolution of the European Parliament on the progress of the Republic of Macedonia in 2011 were reviewed. The President stressed that the inclusion of the judgment of the International Court of Justice in the Resolution is a call to the involved parties to respect the judgment, and a positive incentive to intensify dialogue and resolve the name dispute. President Ivanov stressed that the ruling of The Hague provides a framework for determining the direction of future policies on both sides, and is a key argument to continue Macedonia’s integration processes in parallel with the talks on finding an acceptable solution to the name row - a model that is highlighted in the draft Resolution of the European Parliament.

President Ivanov assessed highly the use of the adjective “Macedonian” in the draft Resolution of the European Parliament. He noted that the use of the adjective in the Resolution and its free usage in the informal communication in the European Parliament finds a positive reaction among the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. According to President Ivanov, this brings hope that in the future reports the European Commission will comply with this practice too, and that the omission of the adjective “Macedonian” will no longer be the case.

President Ivanov and the MEPs Howitt, Kukan and Peterle discussed other issues related to the reform process and the readiness of the Republic of Macedonia to start negotiations for membership in the European Union. President Ivanov said that Macedonia is ready, as before, to exert all necessary efforts to meet the standards required for European Union membership.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a letter of condolence to his counterpart, the President of the Republic of Albania, Bamir Topi, after the attacks on Albanian soldiers, members of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

With deep sadness I received the news of the terrorist attacks over the soldiers of the Republic of Albania, members of the international ISAF mission in the Robot village in Kandahar province, and I sincerely regret for the victims.

In these sad moments for you, for the citizens of your country and for the families of the victims, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, let me extend my deepest condolences. In these moments of sorrow, our prayers are with you and the families of the victims.

I would like to assure you that the Republic of Macedonia, as partner and ally in the anti-terrorist coalition continues to contribute to the ISAF mission, sharing the vision of a free and democratic world, but also the risks, shoulder to shoulder with the peacekeepers from your country.

Please, Your Excellency, convey the assurances of deep sympathy to the families of the victims.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with Ambassador Matthew Nimetz, Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations on the name issue.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Ambassador Nimitz discussed the latest developments in the negotiations led to overcome this issue. During the meeting, President Ivanov welcomed the visit and the engagement of Ambassador Nimetz and presented the views of the Republic of Macedonia, harmonized at the recent state leadership coordination meeting.

President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia remains committed and constructive in the talks to overcome this issue. According to President Ivanov, Macedonia’s constructiveness is confirmed with the ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which found a violation of the 1995 Interim Accord by Greece. The Republic of Macedonia remains strongly committed to fostering and promoting good neighborly relations. The Macedonian President said that the prosperity of the Republic of Macedonia is inseparably connected with the Euro-Atlantic integration which would be beneficial for the two countries, for the region in general and for the European Union and the NATO Alliance.

He also expressed hope that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached only with constructive approach of both sides and adherence to the framework in which the talks are led, the UN resolutions and the Interim Accord. The President of Macedonia said that unacceptable is any solution that would not respect the dignity of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, which in any way would tackle the identity issues and is not in accordance with the international law.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a letter to NATO Heads of State. Please find below the integral content of the letter:

In the eve of the NATO Summit in Chicago, I have the honor to address you and ask for your support for the Republic of Macedonia’s NATO membership. I am writing this letter following the most recent developments in the case of the Republic of Macedonia’s NATO membership application, which have arisen after the judgment of the International Court of Justice - ICJ of December 5th, 2011.

The ICJ judgment rules that Greece has violated its commitments undertaken by the 1995 Interim Accord, by opposing the Republic of Macedonia’s NATO accession at the Bucharest Summit in 2008 under the provisional reference determined by the United Nations. Despite the unanimous conclusion of all member-states that the Republic of Macedonia fulfills all membership criteria, due to opposition from Greece, the Bucharest conclusion was adopted, in the form we all know. Having in mind that the ICJ judgment is binding, Greece should refrain from further blocking of the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia. Further attempts by Greece to block our membership conditioned with one bilateral issue - solving the name issue as a precondition for NATO membership, would be a failure to respect the ICJ judgment and another violation of the Interim Accord and the international law. We expect responsible behavior from our neighbor.

I would like to underline that the Greek claims that the Republic of Macedonia breached the Interim Accord and failed to negotiate in good faith were rejected as ungrounded by the ICJ which found that the Republic of Macedonia has never breached the principle of good-neighborly relations with Greece. Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that the Republic of Macedonia remains strongly committed to finding mutually acceptable solution to the difference over the name. I assure you that we will continue to participate in the talks under the UN auspices in good-faith and constructively as we have always done.

The judgment provides a new, legal dimension and warrants a new approach from all NATO member-states. In light of the judgment, we expect NATO member-states to reconsider their positions with respect to Macedonia’s NATO membership; more precisely we expect the Bucharest conclusion to be reconsidered in Chicago.

The Republic of Macedonia continues to contribute in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, being one of the largest per capita contributors, sharing the vision of a free and democratic world, as well as the risks, side by side with the member-states peacekeepers. Given that the Republic of Macedonia continuously maintains its compatibility with the NATO standards, I believe that the conclusion at the Chicago Summit will take in consideration this, as well as the new situation with the judgment.

I am convinced that your support of our NATO membership would contribute in creating positive climate for moving the status quo and encouraging the Greek leadership to abide to the ICJ judgment.

I strongly believe that everyone would benefit from Macedonia’s NATO membership. NATO, as an organization, would further spread and strengthen the zone of security, stability and democracy in the South-East of Europe. It would encourage, not only the Republic of Macedonia, but all countries in our region to continue on the path of reforms. But, above all, Greece would benefit by gaining another NATO member-state at its northern border. NATO membership has always provided favorable preconditions for overcoming bilateral differences between member states. It would be much easier for Macedonia and Greece, as interdependent NATO partners and allies, to reach mutually acceptable solution to their difference.

Our expectations from the Chicago Summit are clear and reasonable. We expect member-states to reach a consensus for effectuating the delayed invitation to the Republic of Macedonia for NATO membership under the provisional reference used in the UN. We have the right, and our citizens expect this, and in Chicago the injustice from Bucharest can be repaired.

The support of your country in this regard will be greatly appreciated and would contribute to promoting peace and stability in our region. Hoping that I will have your understanding and that with the above arguments we will have your support, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov