The President of the Republic of Macedonia d-r Gjorge Ivanov today met with representatives of Derja - Organization of Turkish women in Macedonia. The meetings was organized on the occasion of April 23rd, a day celebrated in Turkey as the day of the founding of the Great National Assembly, but also the Day of the child.

At the meeting, Derjas President Suzana Musli informed President Ivanov about the activities of this organization. Ivanov and the Derja representatives discussed the status of the women in the Turkish community and the possibilites to improve the rights and the perspectives of women in Macedonian society in general. President Ivanov said that women, as the founding stone of families and the bedrock of traditional moral values are therefore an important pillar of society. President Ivanov highly appraised the activities of Derja in the promotion of womens rights, especially in the rural areas and in the families that face economic hardships. The meeting was also focused on the improvements in education in Macedonia, the possibilities for economic development and othe rmeasures that help improve the lot of women and families.

President Ivanov also pointed out the major contribution the Turkish community makes in the development and progress of Macedonia in the political, economic and cultural field, and also as a bridge toward Macedonias strategic ally and partner, the Republic of Turkey.