President of Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov on the occasion of the great Christian holiday the Assumption of Holy Mary extended a greeting to the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, g.g. Stefan, to the Holy Synod and all the Orthodox believers who celebrate this day:

Your Holiness, respected citizens,

On this grand Christian day that celebrates the life and the assumption of Holy Mary Mother of God, we once again reaffirm within ourselves the principals that lead our lives – the purity of spirit, modesty, humanity, the readiness to share joy and sorrow with our loved ones, and help the ones in need.

Mary, the Mother of God, the protector of our souls and a bright example for every Christian, is at the same time a symbol deeply rooted in our spiritual tradition, Her presence throughout the senturies hase been leading us on the path of bliss and light, being the source of our inner force and the kindness in our hearts.

The celebration of the life and the assumption of Holy Mary, once again reminds us that only through unconditional love, pure intention and goodness, we can reach fulfillment in our lives. These values remain to be the bright pathway for every Orthodox believer, but also a way to preserve harmony and grace in our hearts, our homes and families.

May we have a blessed holiday!
 

President of Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today in Ohrid met Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

At the meeting President Ivanov expressed his contentment that this year the 50th anniversary of the international cultural event “Struga Poetry Evenings” is officially included in the UNESCO programme for observance of jubilees of important events.

President Ivanov, highlighting that Republic of Macedonia was the initiator and the first host country of the SEE Summit of Heads of States in 2003 dedicated to the Dialogue among the civilizations, expressed satisfaction with the fact that these gatherings were and remain to be of great importance for the advancement of the overall relations in the region, creating new spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. In this regard President Ivanov informed the UNESCO Director General that at the forthcoming Summit in Belgrade he will make Republic of Macedonia’s candidature official, in cooperation with UNESCO to be the host of the 10th meeting of this type in 2013.

President Ivanov stressed that Republic of Macedonia is actively promoting and participating in UNESCO activities on national and international level, employing strong efforts in protecting the vast cultural and historical heritage, but also in affirming the entire region which throughout the history has been the center of the European and world civilization, and the center of cultural intersection.

The two interlocutors have agreed that the fruitful cooperation between Republic of Macedonia and UNESCO so far will continue in future, through implementation of joint projects and initiatives. At the same time, they have reached the conclusion that today the appropriate treatment of the civilization heritage could also serve the economic development of the countries, especially through the creative industries and the cultural tourism. 

Ms. Bokova informed president Ivanov on the reform processes she has initiated within UNESCO. She highlighted that the preserving of the cultural heritage is a responsibility of the member countries, extending congratulations for all that Republic of Macedonia has accomplished in that regard.
 

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today, in a telephone conversation, congratulated the great success of the Macedonian University Water Polo Team for the third place won in the Universiade held in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. 

In the conversation with team members and with coaches, President Ivanov conveyed congratulations also on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

The President said that by winning the bronze medal in a competition of strong and well established teams, the Macedonian representation presented in a remarkable way the Republic of Macedonia to the world.
 

In the period from 22 to 31 August 2011 in Ohrid, the second School for Young Leaders under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov will be held which will bring together 37 young people from all over the country.

The School for Leaders is a project that was first initiated in the electoral program of President Ivanov, following his idea and vision to enable young, talented and ambitious people from Macedonia upgrade and improve their skills, develop their creativity and managerial capabilities.

The School, which was first organized in 2010, is designed for young people with university education who wish to develop their leadership skills and capacities and contribute to the future positive development of the society and environment in which they live and work.

The mission of the School is to stimulate positive values among young leaders and future political, cultural and economic leaders of our country but also to develop their capacity to cope with the challenges of global technology, international competition, and cultural and religious diversity.

The program includes lectures and trainings in the areas of leadership and management by prominent lecturers and guests from the top educational and professional institutions, management simulations and practical exercises. This year the participants will be addressed by: President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, Dr. Georg von Habsburg, Ambassador for European Affairs in the Government of the Republic of Hungary, Mr. Constantino Lauria, Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Hartmut Gross, German company owner, Mrs. Darja Bavdazh Kuret, Ambassador of Slovenia in Hungary, Mr. Adam Goral, CEO of ASSECO Group - the fourth largest IT association in the world, Mr. Lars Rise, former Norwegian MP, professors from Cambridge and Oxford universities, directors of international institutes and other successful leaders from Europe and the world.

The implementation of the School is entirely supported by private sector donations: Makstil, ELEM, Alkaloid - Skopje, Mikrosam, Technical Gases - Skopje Makprogres, Tehnometal Vardar, ASSECO SEE - Skopje, Stopanska Banka - Skopje , Macedonian Telecom, Vitaminka, Tikves Winery, Pelisterka and the foundations Konrad Adenauer and Friedrich Ebert.
 

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today in Ohrid met with Admiral Samuel Locklear, Commander of Joint NATO Command in Naples.

President Ivanov and Admiral Locklear at the meeting discussed the level of cooperation between Macedonia and NATO, stressing that the relations are at an exceptionally high level. Both interlocutors emphasized the contribution that the Republic of Macedonia provides to the stability in the region and beyond, being present in the peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lebanon.

President Ivanov and Admiral Locklear exchanged views and opinions on current issues and latest developments in the dispute imposed by Greece in the Macedonian Euro-Atlantic integration. President Ivanov noted that the Republic of Macedonia’s contribution in providing stability and prosperity in Europe will be further intensified after Macedonia’s integration into NATO, thus stressing that all objective criteria are already met.

During the celebration of the Day of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, in Ohrid, President Ivanov organized a meeting with former Chiefs of Staff.

President Ivanov today in Ohrid had a telephone conversation with Macedonian soldiers in Afghanistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus had the opportunity to congratulate the Day of the Army, August 18, and wish success in their mission.