The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today had a farewell meeting with the Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Macedonia and EU Special Representative, Ambassador Erwan Fouere.

President Ivanov extended his gratitude to Ambassador Fouere for his efforts in advancing Republic of Macedonia’s EU integration process and for his active and personal contribution in promoting and bringing closer the European values to the citizens.

President Ivanov underlined that in the past 5 years, several events of exceptional importance for the European aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia have taken place: the European Commission’s two positive reports and two recommendations for opening of the EU accession negotiations, the liberalization of the visa regime. Regretfully, despite meeting all necessary criteria, the goal has not been achieved yet, President Ivanov said that for the Republic of Macedonia, key priority is the date for launching accession negotiations and that the Republic of Macedonia, aware of the obligations, is fully committed to implement all necessary reforms and is focused on finding mutually acceptable solution that would eliminate the obstacle to the country’s integrations. In that regard, President Ivanov referred to the Croatian – Slovenian dispute, as a successful model of running the integration processes and settling a bilateral issue in parallel.


Ambassador Fouere, extending his gratitude for the high level of open cooperation with the President of the Republic of Macedonia and his Cabinet, stressed that he appreciates the role of President Ivanov, at both internal and external level, in promoting the Republic of Macedonia at the international scene. Ambassador Fouere expressed his hope that Macedonia will soon start the accession negotiations that would lead to meeting the strategic goal – full fledged membership in the European Union and added that he would remain Macedonia’s proven friend and supporter.  

During the meeting, the interlocutors exchanged opinions on the latest political developments in the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today held talks with the member of the European Parliament and shadow rapporteur for Macedonia, Dr. Eduard Kukan.

At the cordial meeting, among other items for discussion, Ivanov and Kukan focused on the current situation in the Republic of Macedonia, the EU integration priorities of the country and the name dispute imposed by the Hellenic Republic.

It was jointly noted that the Republic of Macedonia has fulfilled the criteria for opening the EU accession negotiations. President Ivanov expressed his gratitude to MEP Kukan for the constant support that the European Parliament has been providing to the Republic of Macedonia, in the past accomplishments, as well as in making the next step in the integration process.

President Ivanov and MEP Kukan exchanged their views on the disruptions in the Macedonian integrations on the part of Greece. President Ivanov stressed that it is in the interest of Macedonia and the region as a whole, to continue with the integrations until the final goal is achieved - a united Europe - as a project that will provide lasting stability and prosperity. The President also referred to the Croatian-Slovenian dispute as an example, and as a successful model of running the integration processes and settling a bilateral issue in parallel.

During the meeting, the constant high support of the Macedonian citizens for Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic strategic goals was emphasized, and also the willingness to implement the necessary reforms so that this goal is met in a swift and dignified manner. Ivanov added that the blockade of the integration processes due to bilateral issues have also implications at the internal level in the Republic of Macedonia, especially in the attempts to create a favorable climate for foreign investments, and at the political level.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today held talks with the Vice Prime Minister in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia responsible for implementation of the Framework Agreement, Abdilakim Ademi.

The main topic at the meeting was coordination of the activities related to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which will be organized by the Secretariat for Implementation of the Framework Agreement, supported by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and the international community

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Vice Prime Minister Ademi also exchanged viewpoints on the inter-ethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia in relation to the recent developments and concurred that institutions must use all democratic mechanisms to maintain good inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations - being one of the main priorities of the Republic of Macedonia on its road towards the EU and NATO.



President Ivanov and Vice Prime Minister Ademi, voicing concern that last week's incident also involved minors, urged all political factors and the public not to abuse such events to score political points.

Transparency, open dialogue between political parties and in the public on issues related to inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations are the only manner in which these issues need to be opened, elaborated and closed, the interlocutors concluded.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today the Ambassadors of the Visegrad Group countries to the Republic of Macedonia (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary).

President Ivanov, congratulating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Visegrad Group, extended his satisfaction with the fruitful political dialogue between the Republic of Macedonia and the Visegrad Group countries and expressed his appreciation for the strong support that the Republic of Macedonia has been receiving from these countries on the path towards realization of its strategic goals - NATO and the European Union integration.

At the meeting, President Ivanov stressed that this year the importance of the Visegrad group is even greater because of the Hungarian and Polish EU Presidency, and in this context expressed the Republic of Macedonia’s expectation for setting a date for launching accession negotiations with the EU. Therefore, President Ivanov extended his expectation for support also from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Ambassadors of the Visegrad Group countries briefed President Ivanov on the priority projects, including the integration of the South-East Europe region into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures and stressed the experience of their countries as a positive example of mutual cooperation and mutual support in the EU and NATO integration process. The ambassadors expressed conviction that particularly the member states and the Vishegrad group as an influential factor within the EU will continue providing unconditional support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia.

During the meeting, the interlocutors exchanged views on the process led under the auspices of the United Nations concerning the difference over our constitutional name with our southern neighbor and the current situation on the political scene in the Republic of Macedonia.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Ambassadors of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Spain.

At the meeting with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Oleg Nikolaevich Shcherbak, President Ivanov highly assessed the level of relations between the two countries. President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the issue of the clearing debt in a manner that will further deepen the relations between Russia and Macedonia and will ensure dynamic economic growth and energy stability. Both agreed that in the past period, marked with several meetings of the Presidents of the two countries, development of the relations in the sphere of economy, culture, tourism, trade exchange and energy cooperation is noted.
President Ivanov and the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, Samuel Valis Akyianu, considered the possibilities for promotion of the relations between the two countries by raising the level of economic exchange and opening the markets.

The newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Macedonia, Fernando de Galainena Rodriguez, in the talks with President Ivanov, expressed his country’s support for Republic of Macedonia’s efforts to meet its strategic goals- full NATO and EU membership. President Ivanov stressed that these goals in Macedonia enjoy exceptionally high support and that their achievement would be in favour of the stability and prosperity in the region.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today hosted a solemn lunch honoring former President Kiro Gligorov, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his inauguration as President of the Republic.

At the meeting, the achievements and the successes made in the past two decades of independent Macedonia were considered, as well as the challenges on the path to meeting country’s strategic goals. The meeting was part of the activities marking the anniversary of independent Macedonia.