The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today had a working meeting with the heads of diplomatic-consular representation offices and missions of the Republic of Macedonia abroad.

At the meeting, the Macedonian diplomats informed President Ivanov on the activities carried out in the course of 2010. The President assessed that the Macedonian diplomacy was in general engaged in the fulfillment of the main strategic tasks. The President stressed the deepening of the partnership relations with several countries and institutions; successful chairmanship with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; the reaffirmed recommendation of the European Commission on Macedonia's readiness to start negotiations for full-fledged membership in the European Union and many other achievements in the year that is passing by.

President Ivanov added that yet much remains to be done to meet citizens' expectations. According to the President, Macedonian accredited diplomats should more actively and freely represent the interests of the Republic of Macedonia, pursuant to the foreign policy priorities. President Ivanov stressed that the diplomats will enjoy his concrete and full support in the execution of their efforts and activities.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today had a working meeting with the Minister of Defence Zoran Konjanovski and Generals of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, the most important activities in the area of defence of the Republic of Macedonia during 2010 were reiterated. President Ivanov welcomed the adoption of the Defence Strategy and the Structure of the Forces of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, as two long-term strategic documents.

As a discussion topic, also the missions of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia within the international peacekeeping coalitions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lebanon were discussed. It was assessed at the meeting that the missions are carried out successfully and according to the expectations. During the working meeting, other issues related to the better functioning of the defence in Macedonia were reviewed, pursuant to the new security challenges.

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


Let me offer my congratulations for the most joyful Christian holiday, the birth of Christ- Christmas, and wish you would spend the holidays in good health, joy and happiness.

On Christmas, the feast of peace and reconciliation, acceptance of others, we reaffirm our joint commitment to foster and respect religious diversity and religious specificities as the supreme value of our society and of the entire civilized world.

Christmas is a holiday of joy and love, understanding and unity, bestowal and helping others. Let the light and warmth of this great holiday be embedded in our homes and bring us personal and family happiness, and faith in ourselves and in others.

May we celebrate this holiday for ages!

Sincerely,

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Vecdi Gonul. At the meeting, President Ivanov expressed particular satisfaction with the relations between the two countries, raised at the level of strategic partnership, contributing to the stability and prosperity in the region. The relations and cooperation in the sphere of defence are not lagging behind the overall relations which are at the highest possible level. The regular meetings at the highest level between Macedonia and Turkey were evaluated as an example for the region.

President Ivanov and Minister Gonul agreed on the need for accomplishing the Euro-Atlantic integration processes of both countries, and indeed of the entire region, within a reasonable timeframe, as a measure contributing to further progress in the region. At the meeting, the interlocutors concluded that the economic relations between the two countries are advancing towards the desired level, and President Ivanov welcomed the economic initiative of Turkish companies in Macedonia. According to President Ivanov, the close cultural relations between the two countries and the contacts between the ethnic communities in both states significantly contribute to the traditional friendship and cooperation.

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


Dear all,

On my personal behalf and on behalf of the Macedonian citizens, I would like to congratulate December 21, the Day of Teaching in Turkish Language to all members of the Turkish ethnic community in the Republic of Macedonia.

For already 66 years, since the dawn of independent Macedonian state, the Turkish community in Macedonia has been enjoying one of the most important rights for protection and promotion of identity and culture of peoples - the right to teaching in native language. Today, the Republic of Macedonia proudly celebrates the day of education in Turkish language which allows our fellow citizens to nurture their culture, their traditions and values, thus considering Macedonia as their real home.

May we celebrate this holiday for ages!

Sincerely,
Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today met with the Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Konstantin Kosachev.

At the cordial meeting, President Ivanov extended his satisfaction with the regular meetings between the state leaderships of both countries, including the meetings at highest level with the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, which result in concrete steps in the overall cooperation, with special emphasis on the economic cooperation. Chairman Kosachev expressed his appreciation for President Ivanov’s initiative to maintain the high level of relations between the two countries.

According to President Ivanov, exceptionally important project for the future of the region is the construction of the gas pipeline South Stream, which will provide energy stability and competitiveness of South-East Europe countries. They both extended pleasure with clearing the debt, in a manner which will allow further economic growth.


Both interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to finalize the initiative of the Presidents of Macedonia and Russia by signing an Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries. They mentioned, as measures, which will further deepen the relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Russian Federation, the opening of cultural centers in Skopje and Moscow, visa liberalization and cultural exchanges.