The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in his Cabinet today received the President of the International Federation of Automobile (FIA) and former General Manager and CEO of the Italian automobile company Ferrari, Mr. Jean Todt, who is visiting the country upon an invitation of the Auto-Moto Association of Macedonia (AMSM) and the Automobile Federation of Macedonia (AFM).

President Ivanov highlighted that for Republic of Macedonia is a great honor that AFM became a FIA member. The President praised FIA’s activities for advancement of the motorsport and of automobile traffic in general, but above all the efforts for increase of the drivers’ safety and the safety fo other participants in the traffic, being realized in frames of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, initiated by the UN and FIA.

President Ivanov informed Mr. Todt on the implementation of the National Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia for Traffic Safety 2009-2014, of which the President himself is a supporter and promoter, as weel as on the challenges and the serious approach of national institutions for halting the number of traffic victims, and most importantly – total elimination of the number of children victims in traffic accidents.

Macedonian President Ivanov and the FIA President Todt discussed the perspectives for intensified development and advancement of the motorsport in Republic of Macedonia, and the possibilities Macedonia to host automobile races of international character in the future.

Mr. Jean Todt has an impressive career in motorsport. Under his direction, the Ferrari team at the Formula 1 races won 13 trophies, five of which were driven by the best racer of all times, Michael Shumacher. Todt’s leadership exceeds the frames of motorsport, primarily through his humanitarian and philanthropic activities. He is a member of the French Academy of Technological Sciences, as well as one of the cofounders and Deputy President of the Institute devoted to medical research for brain and spinal cord disorders with seat in Paris. 

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today met with the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia H.H. Stephan and the Head of the Islamic Religious Community, Reis ul Ulema Hadzi Sulejman Efendi Rexhepi.

The meeting was convened at the initiative of President Ivanov, as part of his regular contacts with representatives of religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia, in order to discuss the events that happened in the municipalities of Vevcani and Struga. At the meeting President Ivanov urged the leaders of the two largest religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia to use their authority and to influence greater inter-religious understanding. President Ivanov, Archbishop H.H. Stephan and Reis ul Ulema Rexhepi sent a joint message for responsibility in fostering traditionally good inter-religious relations and culture of tolerance.

It was jointly concluded at the meeting that any isolated incident, wherever it might occur, should be condemned by all. President Ivanov expects all those who cause incidents to be legally prosecuted. President Ivanov and the Heads of the two largest religious communities in Macedonia expressed confidence that the tradition of coexistence which has been nurtured for centuries, is still a value and a benefit for all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter of condolence to the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, on the occasion of the death of the former Italian President, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro:

With deep regret I received the news of the death of the former President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Oscar Luigi Scalfaro.

Mr. President, allow me, in this sad moment for you and for the Italian people, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to extend my sincere expressions of sympathy. I would like to assure you, respected Mr. President, that in the memories of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia will remain engraved the remembrance of former President Scalfaro, who 15 years ago, visiting Macedonia, supported the European path of my country, saying that “Europe. .. needs new, young blood, from a very old nation, of a young country that believes in Europe with deep human feeling”. It was in his time, that there was a significant development in the relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Italian Republic.

Please, Mr. President, convey the expressions of sympathy to the friendly Italian people and to the Scalfaro family.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent, Great Britain.

President Ivanov highlighted that Republic of Macedonia devotes special attention to the development of the relations and the cooperation with the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is a great friend and partner of our country and we are grateful for the strong and open support in the Republic of Macedonia’s integration process in the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, President Ivanov stressed.

The two interlocutors expressed satisfaction from the positive development of the political relations between Republic of Macedonia and the United Kingdom, as well as from the perspectives for intensified cooperation in the field of economy, culture and other areas of mutual interest.

The President Ivanov and the Prince Michael of Kent discussed about Republic of Macedonia’s expectations from the upcoming NATO summit, as well as about the prospects for delivery of decision for start of EU accession talks with Macedonia, and unhindered continuation of the integrations apart from the name dispute.

Main topics in the discussion included the increase of the economic cooperation between Macedonia and the United Kingdom. President Ivanov informed the Prince of Kent of the reforms that are undertaken here, as well as of the intense efforts made to create a favorable economic climate, that is often leading among the countries of the region, and beyond. President Ivanov said that this opens the doors to attract more British companies to invest in Macedonia, as well as to establish economic ties and increase the commercial exchange.
 
Prince Michael of Kent emphasized that Macedonia, in the past few years, has made a strong progress and is now an attractive business destination. He also expressed his satisfaction over the frequent contacts between the two countries in the past months, as well as his belief that this current visit will bring concrete results.

The members of the British business delegation expressed interest to invest in agriculture, mining, tourism, information technology, telecommunications and in other sectors.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, had a meeting today with the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Serbia, Slavica Djukic Dejanovic.

At the meeting, both collocutors expressed satisfaction with the good neighborly relations between Macedonia and Serbia, with the frequent and friendly meetings at high level, and with the good economic exchange between the states. President Ivanov welcomed the ongoing cooperation at parliamentary level, assessing this cooperation as particularly important to the overall relations between the two countries.

The Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Djukic-Dejanovic, stressed that the relations and the established personal relations between presidents Ivanov and Tadic are an example for all other institutions in both countries, an example which should be followed. Appraising the ongoing intensive cooperation in all areas, Ms. Djukic-Dejanovic expressed her wish and readiness for a more dynamic and comprehensive cooperation between Macedonia and Serbia.

It was mutually agreed at the meeting that focus in the coming period should be put on infrastructure connectivity between Macedonia and Serbia, especially in the road and energy infrastructure for better exploitation of the economic cooperation possibilities.

President Ivanov and the President of the Serbian Parliament, Djukic-Dejanovic, at the meeting discussed the situation in the region, particularly the current development in the integration processes. President Ivanov assessed that the region needs a clear Euro-Atlantic perspective, and expressed hope that all states in the region during this year will achieve progress in the integration processes, regardless of the obstacles on that road, assessing that integration is the best path towards prosperity and stability in the region.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov in the Hall of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in Skopje had a working, consultative meeting with the Retired Army Generals. The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, Major General Gorancho Koteski and the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia, Fatmir Besimi.

President Ivanov, together with the retired Generals, has watched the match between Macedonia and Slovenia at the European Handball Championship – a match that brought victory to the Republic of Macedonia and access to the qualification for the Olympic Games.

The meeting was used to exchange views and experiences on the activities of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and with the achievement of the set tasks in Macedonia and in the missions abroad.