The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a letter to the President of the Republic of Greece, Karolos Papoulias:

Distinguished Mr. President,
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 judgment, binding by its nature, provides a new, legal dimension and warrants a new approach from all NATO member-states. 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 as we all known. We expect each NATO member-state, especially your country as our neighbour, to respect the ICJ judgment, the Interim Accord and the international law. We expect positive and constructive approach from your country and we expect the Bucharest conclusion to be reconsidered in Chicago.

The membership of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO under the provisional reference used within the United Nations is clearly of our mutual benefit, but even more than that. 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, your country, Greece, would benefit by gaining another NATO member-state at its northern border. Receiving the deserved NATO membership invitation will considerably stimulate the development of our bilateral relations. Namely, NATO membership has always provided favorable preconditions for overcoming bilateral differences between member-states. It would be much easier for our two countries, as interdependent NATO partners and allies, to reach mutually acceptable solution to our difference over the name.

Your Excellency, 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. The support of your country in this regard will be greatly appreciated and would contribute to promoting peace and stability in our region.

Your Excellency,
We hope that you, Mr. President, as a signatory of the 1995 Interim Accord, will contribute for the respect of the responsibilities deriving from it. I assure you that we stand ready to find a mutual and dignity-based solution for the difference over the name. We want a solution without winners and losers. I assure you that we will continue to participate in the negotiations under the UN auspices in good-faith and constructively as we have always done.

Hoping that I will have your understanding and that with the above provided arguments we will have your support, please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in anticipation of the upcoming visit of Ambassador Matthew Nimetz to the Republic of Macedonia, called a coordination meeting of state leadership on the course of the talks for overcoming the problem that Greece has with our constitutional name, led under the UN auspices.

The coordination meeting was attended by the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Trajko Veljanoski, the President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Musa Xhaferi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Popovski and the Special Envoy of the President in the name talks, Ambassador Zoran Jolevski.

At the meeting, Ambassador Jolevski briefed on the talks with Ambassador Nimetz in January.

Conclusion of the meeting, in anticipation of the visit of Ambassador Nimetz, is that the Republic of Macedonia remains firmly committed to resolving this issue. The Macedonian state leadership welcomed the visit of Ambassador Nimetz to Macedonia and Greece, hoping that it will contribute to the continuation of the talks on overcoming the difference over the name. The judgment of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which found that the Greek blockade of Macedonia s invitation to join NATO at the Summit in Bucharest in 2008 was unjustified, in an unambiguous, objective and impartial manner confirmed that the Republic of Macedonia has based its positions in the past period on the international law and respect for good neighborly relations.

The Republic of Macedonia, as before, actively and constructively participates in the process and as a party having serious approach in the talks expects and hopes for the same activity, severity and constructiveness on the other side.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter of congratulations to the President of Kosovo, Ms. Atifete Jahjaga, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kosovo:

It gives me special pleasure, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kosovo, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to extend my cordial greetings and sincere wishes for prosperity of your country and welfare of its citizens.

In this solemn occasion, let me express satisfaction with the high level of friendly relations and cooperation between our countries. I am convinced the cooperation between our two countries will not only continue, but in the coming period it will be intensified in all areas of mutual interest. In this regard, I want to stress our full readiness.

With sincere wishes for your continued professional successes, personal happiness and good health, I am conveying, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia, sent a letter of congratulations to his Serbian counterpart, President Boris Tadic:

Conveying my cordial regards, allow me, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the people of the Republic of Macedonia, to extend wholehearted congratulations on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia. At the same time, please accept my most sincere wishes for further prosperity and welfare of your country and its citizens.

Aware of the shared past, I would like to assure you that we remain faithful to the common aspiration towards the European values, being a foundation upon which we build our European future, as well as the solid and unbreakable friendship between the Serbian and Macedonian people.

I am convinced that the constant enhancement of bilateral and regional cooperation between our two friendly countries would be in favor of successful attainment of European goals and an extremely positive example in the region and beyond. I am confident the cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia will not only continue, but in the coming period will be intensified. In this regard, I want to stress our full readiness.

With such a conviction and most sincere wishes for your continued professional successes, good health and personal happiness, I am conveying the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, on the occasion of the loss of human lives in the avalanche in the Kosovo village Restelica:

With great sorrow I received the news on the avalanche in the village Restelica and I sincerely regret for the loss of lives in this huge tragedy.

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

Please, your Excellency, convey the expressions of deep sympathy to the families of the victims.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today met with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek.

At the meeting, President Ivanov thanked Commissioner Vollebaek for the engagement and support the OSCE provides for improvement of the relations between the ethnic communities in the Republic of Macedonia. President Ivanov said that Macedonia remains a successful and positive example in the region with its approach to building relations of respect and cooperation among various ethnic communities.

President Ivanov and Commissioner Vollebaek reviewed the progress made in implementing the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and concurred that it reflects Macedonian long tradition of coexistence, set in a legal framework and offers solutions; it should be an example for the other multiethnic countries in the region. The President said that the functioning of the Macedonian democratic model showed that it is possible to implement reforms, to improve the society if there is joint participation of the citizens regardless of their ethnicity.

President Ivanov and Commissioner Vollebaek discussed the incidents that occurred recently in Macedonia. President Ivanov stressed that the Macedonian society responded to these isolated incidents with harsh condemnation and calls for them not to be abused for political or other purposes. President Ivanov added that individual incidents can not in any way affect or harm the stable model of multiethnic democracy that exists in the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov and Commissioner Vollebaek agreed that it is important to implement the Integrated Education Strategy. President Ivanov supports the Strategy and expects its implementation. Conclusion of the meeting was that one of the goals of education is to enable better acquaintance among young people and their interaction.