The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today held talks with Mr. Moshe Ya'alon, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Strategic Affairs of the State of Israel.

Vice Prime Minister Ya’alon, at the meeting, extended his gratitude to the Republic of Macedonia for the initiative to pay respect to the Holocaust victims by opening a Memorial Centre in Skopje, and assessed this as an important gesture of Macedonia.

President Ivanov at the meeting expressed particular satisfaction with the positive trend in the development of the relations and cooperation with the State of Israel. The President assessed that the bilateral cooperation is permanent and at all levels, thus praising the visit of the Vice Prime Minister Ya’alon as a confirmation of the excellent ties. Vice Prime Minister Ya’alon affirmed Israeli's readiness for further intensification and deepening of the ties and cooperation with the Republic of Macedonia in all spheres of mutual interest.


At the meeting, opinions and information were shared on the latest developments in the region of South-East Europe and Middle East. President Ivanov informed the interlocutor on the current political and economic developments in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as on the country's efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic structures. In this respect, President Ivanov referred to the latest developments in the process for ironing the difference over the name with our southern neighbour, which is the only obstacle for resuming the Euro-Atlantic integration process, which also creates internal challenges.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today held talks with Mr. Jan Fischer, Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

At the meeting, Mr. Fischer expressed his interest in the current political and economic developments in the Republic of Macedonia as well as on the country's efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic structures. In this respect, President Ivanov informed the interlocutor on the latest developments in the process for ironing the difference over the name with our southern neighbour, which is the only obstacle for resuming the Euro-Atlantic integration process. Namely, the President assessed that this is an issue which opens additional internal issues and challenges in the Republic of Macedonia, particularly in regard to the country’s economic development.


The interlocutors exchanged views and information on the situation in the wider region. The Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expressed his appreciation to President Ivanov on his engagement on regional level and welcomed the efforts for defining projects that would enable infrastructure connection of the entire South-East Europe region, which are top regional cooperation priorities in President Ivanov’s agenda. Mr. Fisher stressed that EBRD stands ready to support Republic of Macedonia's development in line with the country's needs. Particular attention was given to the large infrastructure and energy projects such as Corridor 8 and 10. President Ivanov expressed gratitude for the role and the engagement of the EBRD as one of the greatest supporters of Macedonia's development in many spheres. President Ivanov also briefed his interlocutor on the undertaken activities for improving the business and investment climate in Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today held talks with Mr. Samuel Zbogar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

At the cordial meeting, President Ivanov and Minister Zbogar concluded that the relations between the two countries are at the highest level. President Ivanov expressed his gratitude to Minister Zbogar for the constant support given by the Republic of Slovenia for Macedonia's integration into NATO and the European Union.

The meeting offered a possibility to review conclusions stemming from the recent official visit of President Ivanov to the Republic of Slovenia and to further discuss and precise the opportunities for cooperation, especially in the field of European integration, where we expect intensification of the support provided by the Republic of Slovenia.


The talks also focused on the current political situation in Macedonia. President Ivanov and Minister Zbogar concurred that prompt return of several opposition parties to the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia is necessary and that the normal political dialogue and functioning of all institutions are key criteria in the integration processes.

President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia has met the criteria to start EU membership talks, adding that it was crucial for country's European perspective past achievements not to be diminished. President Ivanov assessed that Macedonia's reform engagement requires the negotiations with the EU to be held without obstacles created by bilateral issues, reiterating his position that the EU talks should be led in parallel with the talks aimed at overcoming the dispute imposed by Greece over our constitutional name.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today received the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Zlatko Kramaric.

Ambassador Kramaric, in his address, expressed strong conviction for further deepening of the long-lasting friendship between the two countries, verified in many international documents, reaffirming that the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Croatia share the same civilization values.
- Both countries are aware that the world peace, democracy and freedom do not have any alternative. Exercising these universal values in South-East Europe as our common region is of utmost importance, Ambassador Kramaric said.
The newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia conveyed his assurance that the Republic of Croatia shall further provide continuous and strong support to the Republic of Macedonia in its efforts for just settlement of the name dispute.
- In this context is our unequivocal support for Macedonia’s accession into NATO as soon as possible, since membership into this military-political alliance is a strong guarantee for the future of your country as a European country, Ambassador Kramaric said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in his address, stressed that the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Croatia, the peoples of these two countries, are bound by strong historical, cultural and traditionally friendly relations,
- We are mutually connected by the identical commitments for stability and prosperity of our region, its and our Euro-Atlantic present and future. Because of this, the Republic of Macedonia has been paying special attention to the nurturing and development of relations and cooperation with the Republic of Croatia, the Macedonian President said.
President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the support of the Republic of Croatia for the efforts and activities it makes for the Republic of Macedonia for its joining the North Atlantic alliance and the EU as soon as possible.
- I am convinced that developing good-neighborly and friendly relations, as well as comprehensive cooperation between our two countries, our strong commitment to the regional initiatives, contributes to the strengthening of trust and understanding, to strengthening the stability and security in the region. This will certainly contribute to its accelerated integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, President Ivanov said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today received the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Head of European Union Delegation to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Peter Sorensen

During the meeting, President Ivanov used the opportunity to wish cordial welcome to Ambassador Sorensen. The President assessed that his rich professional experience in the region, including Macedonia, shall represent a solid basis for successful work in the Republic of Macedonia. According to President Ivanov, Macedonia has achieved exceptional successes during Ambassador Fouere’s tenure, including the positive assessment of the European Commission for opening negotiations for full-fledged membership into the European Union and the visa liberalization.


President Ivanov stressed that for the Republic of Macedonia it is of essential importance to meet the European Commission recommendations of as soon as possible, as well as the clear position of the European Parliament with respect to opening negotiations with the European Union. The President underlined that the experience of the other membership candidate countries has proven that leading the negotiations undisturbed is important for maintaining the pace of the reform agenda.

Ambassador Sorensen conveyed his overall understanding for the necessity the Republic of Macedonia to continue its integration path. In that context he stressed that he sees his mission in the Republic of Macedonia as a support to such efforts and expressed his conviction that he would make his utmost efforts for further approximation of the European values and criteria to the Macedonian society. Both interlocutors expressed full readiness for further close and intensive cooperation to this end.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today the United Kingdom Chief of General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall.

Main discussion focus at the meeting was the joint participation in the mission in Afghanistan. President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia has been supporting this and many other joint responsibilities undertaken by the North-Atlantic Alliance, in a bid to meet its strategic goal – to become a full-fledged NATO member.

Among the other topics discussed at the meeting were the relations between the armies of both countries and the possibilities to enhance the cooperation. President Ivanov and General Wall exchanged opinions on the perspectives for joint military training and exercise and the possibility to conduct training for the members of the United Kingdom Army at Krivolak army field.