During his stay in the Republic of Turkey, where he spent his summer vacation with his family, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At an invitation of Prime Minister Erdogan, President Ivanov and his wife last night attended the Iftar Dinner, hosted in Istanbul, on the occasion of the Muslim holiday Ramadan.

Prime Minister Erdogan invited the Macedonian President during his official visit to the Republic of Macedonia last year, commending President Ivanov’s practice of attending each year the Iftar Dinner in the Republic of Macedonia together with the head of the Islamic community.

In his address at the Iftar Dinner, President Ivanov congratulated the holiday, adding that in these moments of celebration, he wishes all believers to be blessed with peace, love, tolerance and mutual understanding. To feel the values that unite, not divide people and nations. - I come from a country that is dedicated to nurturing the centuries-old tradition of multi-ethnic and multi-religious coexistence. Coexistence that is our great achievement that makes us proud. Achievement that shows that the place of our country and is within the European family of nations and states. Our outstanding contribution as a country in which religions, traditions and various ethnic groups collaborate in building a common home, is proof that a better future for the region is possible, Europe and the world, President Ivanov said at the dinner.

Prime Minister Erdogan thanked President Ivanov for his presence and expressed satisfaction that he celebrates this important holiday for the Muslim world together with the Macedonian president. The Turkish Prime Minister emphasized that this is yet another proof of President Ivanov's respect to Ramadan and to the Muslim religion believers, something that fortifies the traditional friendship and close relations between the two countries.

The dinner was attended by many famous persons from the political, business, religious and public life in Turkey. Among those present was the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with whom President Ivanov had a very cordial meeting.

President Ivanov yesterday also had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, to congratulate him Ramadan, wishing him personal and family happiness. Discussing the latest developments in the region, the excellent overall bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey were again highlighted.