The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today met with the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia H.H. Stephan and the Head of the Islamic Religious Community, Reis ul Ulema Hadzi Sulejman Efendi Rexhepi.

The meeting was convened at the initiative of President Ivanov, as part of his regular contacts with representatives of religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia, in order to discuss the events that happened in the municipalities of Vevcani and Struga. At the meeting President Ivanov urged the leaders of the two largest religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia to use their authority and to influence greater inter-religious understanding. President Ivanov, Archbishop H.H. Stephan and Reis ul Ulema Rexhepi sent a joint message for responsibility in fostering traditionally good inter-religious relations and culture of tolerance.

It was jointly concluded at the meeting that any isolated incident, wherever it might occur, should be condemned by all. President Ivanov expects all those who cause incidents to be legally prosecuted. President Ivanov and the Heads of the two largest religious communities in Macedonia expressed confidence that the tradition of coexistence which has been nurtured for centuries, is still a value and a benefit for all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.