The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a congratulation message to all Christian believers who celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar.

Let me congratulate you wholeheartedly the brightest Christian holiday, Christ’s Birth – Christmas. May you all spend the holidays in love, hope, faith and joy.

For millions of Christians in the world, celebrating Christmas means opening a new hope for the new year and the future. This great holiday of peace, giving and helping, teaches us to live in unity, to follow the moral law within us and act in accordance with the principles of truth and humanism.

Christmas is time for peace in thoughts and soul and time for good deeds. Time when, once again, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering and respecting religious diversity and religious peculiarities as the supreme value of our society. May this Christmas bring light and warmth in our homes, may it bring us personal and family happiness, faith in yourselves and in others, and creative energy to contribute to the overall progress of our country.

I wish you good health, joyfulness, happiness and prosperity.
Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,
Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today attended the funeral service of the former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel.

President Ivanov, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, paid respect to Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia and of the Czech Republic. Havel, writer and activist against the communist regime in former Czechoslovakia, was also recognized for his merit in spreading democracy and freedom in his country and in Central Europe. In his letter of condolence to the Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, and to the citizens of the Czech Republic, President Ivanov stated – “Vaclav Havel, as a fighter against totalitarian ideology, gained enormous reputation and respect among all freedom-loving peoples of Europe. Aware of the injustices of the former regime, Havel dedicated his life to destruction of this regime, and, luckily, had the chance to see his lifework accomplished. Among the numerous awards he was honored with, probably most important is the knowledge that millions of people in Europe live today in freedom, in democracy”.

The funeral ceremony held in the cathedral St. Vitus in the Czech capital Prague, was attended by many dignitaries from Europe and the world, including the President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, and state officials of the Czech Republic, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, the President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek and others.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of December 21, the Day of Education in Turkish Language, sent a message of congratulations to the Turkish community in the Republic of Macedonia.

Respected members of the Turkish community,

Allow me, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the Macedonian citizens, to congratulate December 21, the Day of Education in Turkish Language to all members of the Turkish ethnic community in the Republic of Macedonia.

Education in mother tongue is a foundation in preserving national and cultural identity, as well as a natural right of every individual. Therefore, the Republic of Macedonia proudly celebrates the Day of Education in Turkish Language, which enables our fellow citizens of Turkish nationality to nurture their rich cultural traditions and values while enjoying all democratic rights and civil freedoms.

Many happy returns of this holiday!

Sincerely,
Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a letter with greetings to the President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, on the occasion of the great Jewish holiday Hanuka:

Distinguished President Peres,

It gives me special pleasure, on behalf of the people of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to convey cordial regards on the occasion of the great Jewish Holiday of Light – Hanukkah, wishing you peace, prosperity and progress of your country and its people. Yesterday, I had the extraordinary honor to light the first Hanukkah candle in the synagogue in Skopje and to celebrate this holiday together with the Jewish community members of the Republic of Macedonia, who represent a real bridge of friendship between both peoples and countries.

Congratulating you Hanukkah, let me express my satisfaction with the current positive development of the relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Israel, being convinced that in future they will be further developed in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding.

Extending my best wishes, please Mr. President, accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

 
Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the death of the former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus.

Distinguished Mr. President,

I avail myself of this opportunity, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, to extend my deepest condolences for the death of the former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel.

Vaclav Havel, as a fighter against totalitarian ideology, gained enormous reputation and respect among all freedom-loving peoples of Europe. Aware of the injustices of the former regime, Havel dedicated his life to destruction of this regime, and, luckily, had the chance to see his lifework accomplished. Among the numerous awards he was honored with, probably most important is the knowledge that millions of people in Europe live today in freedom, in democracy. Therefore, today, not accidentally, the democratic movements throughout the world draw ideals and inspiration of the period of the Prague Spring, of the heroic struggle of the citizens of former Czechoslovakia for freedom and democracy. Vaclav Havel was inspiration and example for many dissidents, human rights fighters in Europe, including the Republic of Macedonia.

Please, Mr. President, convey my deepest condolences to the citizens of the Czech Republic and to the family of the great European, President Havel.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a congratulation letter to His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, on the occasion of the National holiday of the State of Qatar.

Your Highness,

Extending my cordial regards, please, allow me, on behalf of the people of the Republic of Macedonia, and on my personal behalf, to congratulate you the National holiday of the State of Qatar. At the same time, I am sending you my best wishes for good health, personal happiness, as well as welfare and prosperity of your country and its people.

Your Highness, let me use this occasion to express my satisfaction with the continuous development of the relations and of the collaboration, as well as of the continued deepening of the political dialogue between the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar. Our recent meetings in Skopje and in Doha represent yet another confirmation of the friendly feelings that bind our two countries and our people together. I believe that ahead is a period of continuation of the initiated dialogue and further enrichment and intensification of the cooperation, particularly in the sphere of economy.

Conveying the assurances of my highest consideration, please, allow me, Your Highness, to wish you further professional success, good health and personal happiness.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov