The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation note to the members of the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia, on the occasion of the holiday, St. Sava.

Respected members of the Serbian community,

It is my special pleasure to congratulate the great holiday St. Sava to all members of the Serbian community.

The celebration of the day of the first Serbian archbishop - January 27, is one of the most significant religious and national holidays of the Serbian people, celebrated in every place where Serbs live. Also, in Macedonia, the members of the Serbian community, which are inseparable part of the Macedonian society and which together with the other communities actively contribute to the coexistence and mutual understanding, celebrate, with dignity this holiday, which is declared for a national day of the Serbian community in the Republic of Macedonia. Exactly on the day of St. Sava, a Gala Academy is held. This year, the Academy will be organized under my auspices.

Respected citizens of Serbian nationality,

St. Sava for the Serbian people is eternal source of faith, hope and love towards God, towards ourselves and towards the closest ones, a spiritual strength and a signpost to the future, filled with freedom, humanity, prosperity and progress.

May you all celebrate this holiday in peace, joy and welfare!

Many happy returns of this holiday!

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today had a meeting with the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the development of the friendly relations and overall cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Republika Srpska. Both interlocutors agreed that emphasis in the further development of cooperation should be put on economic cooperation and trade exchange.

President Ivanov used the meeting with President Dodik to exchange views on the current developments in the Southeast Europe region. President Ivanov stressed that despite the significant progress achieved in recent years, the region needs a clear perspective for advancement in the ongoing integration processes. According to President Ivanov, the countries from the region should continue on the path of reducing barriers for mutual trade, further political approximation and cooperation, thus the Euro-Atlantic integrations offer the best institutional form.

President Dodik informed President Ivanov on the current political and economic situation in the Republika Srpska and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Particular emphasis was put on the key challenges Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing now. President Ivanov was informed of the positions of Republika Srpska on these issues. President Ivanov at the meeting welcomed the Agreement on establishing the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a letter to his Croatian counterpart Ivo Josipovic, on the occasion of the referendum decision of the Croatian citizens to join the European Union:

Conveying my cordial regards let me extend most sincere congratulations, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, for the historic decision of the Croatian citizens for the accession of the Republic of Croatia into the European Union. This decision is of exceptional importance for your country and for the friendly Croatian people, but also for our entire region. We believe your success is our success and success of our region and Europe in general.

History has proven that the enlargement of the European Union is the most important development and peace project in the European continent, which enable the European countries to overcome their historical accumulated problems and differences. Indeed, this was best proven with the accession process of the friendly Republic of Croatia into the European family of nations.

I am confident that the cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Croatia will not only continue, but in the coming period will be intensified. In this regard, I want to express our full readiness.

With such a conviction and with sincere wishes for your continued professional successes, good health and personal happiness, I am extending assurances of my highest consideration to you.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who traveled to Belgrade today to attend the handball match between the national teams of Macedonia and Poland, had a working meeting with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Boris Tadic.

President Ivanov congratulated his Serbian counterpart on the impeccable organization of the European Handball Championship, expressing his belief that the forthcoming match between the national teams of Macedonia and Serbia would promote fair play and bring victory to the better team.

Both interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the effects of the recent official visit of President Tadic to the Republic of Macedonia. Common is the assessment that the frequent meetings and personal relations between the two Presidents, as well as the mutual commitment to the common European future, stability and prosperity of the region, have a very positive impact on strengthening good neighborly relations and maximizing cooperation in all spheres.

Presidents Ivanov and Tadic once again confirmed the position of priority commitment to the economy, energy and infrastructure connections. At the meeting, the two Presidents exchanged views and information on the situation in the region.

President Ivanov expressed his hope for accelerated integration of the region into the European Union, and readiness for future cooperation and assistance between the two countries in the process of EU accession, utilization of the European funds and exchange of experiences.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, in a telephone conversation, congratulated the newly elected President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, on his election and assuming office, wishing him success in the execution of the responsible duty.

President Ivanov expressed conviction that under the leadership of the new Bulgarian President Plevneliev, the Republic of Bulgaria would resume its successful policies, playing a constructive role in maintaining stability and development of the region.

Both Presidents concurred that the good relations and cooperation between the two countries will resume with the same intensity, and, to that end, pledged to an active and constructive mutual engagement.

Ivanov and Plevneliev discussed the common goals of Macedonia and Bulgaria, particularly in terms of stability and prosperity, as well as the EU and NATO prospects of the region.

President Ivanov expressed hope that the Republic of Bulgaria will continue to support the Republic of Macedonia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration as before, especially in the period before the NATO Summit in Chicago.

Macedonian and Bulgarian President agreed to meet very soon which will enable them to exchange in person their positions, ideas and concrete proposals for regional cooperation in the field of economy, energy, infrastructure projects and connectivity.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation note to the President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao, on the occasion of the Chinese New Year:

Your Excellency,

It gives me great honor and pleasure, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the people of the Republic of Macedonia, to congratulate you the Chinese New Year, with sincere wishes for successful and prosperous year and welfare of the friendly Chinese people.

Let me take this solemn occasion to express my belief that the excellent relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the People’s Republic of China characterized with sincere friendship, mutual trust and understanding, will also be marked with successful development in future and will be enriched with new contents, thus I reiterate our full readiness for this.

Distinguished Mr. President, in the end, I would like to assure you once again that the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and I, personally, will always be grateful for the principled and continuous support and assistance from the People’s Republic of China.

With such a conviction and sincere wishes for your continued successful work, good health and personal happiness, I am conveying to you the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov