Respected Members of the Constitutional Assembly,

I cordially thank you for the invitation to attend this important and First Assembly of the Roma Inter-Parliamentary Organization. Due to previously scheduled commitments, I will not be able to participate in the Assembly. Indeed, I would like to greet you wholeheartedly and wish success of the Assembly and positive developments of the actions undertaken by the Inter-Parliamentary Organization.

I am confident that this initiative will significantly contribute to the coordinated efforts and efficiency in the process of further promotion and empowerment of Roma communities in the region and in Europe and in the achievement of full equality, development, integration and prosperity of Roma communities in all Southeast European countries. I believe that with this Roma will provide their worthy contribution to the development of our economies, cultures, democracy and human rights and civil liberties in our societies.

At the meeting that I had with the Steering Committee of the Assembly I have fully supported the idea of its establishment and activity. In past decades, the Republic of Macedonia significantly advanced the position of Roma at central and local level, economically, culturally and socially. We are aware that there are yet many challenges, tasks and goals. Therefore, I urge Roma representatives in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and in other institutions at central and local level, to be as active as possible in all the initiatives in this direction.

Within the Decade of Roma of the United Nations, the Republic of Macedonia has done a lot. But, for us, it is not just a decade. It is a permanent commitment. Please accept, once again, my cordial greetings and best wishes.


Dr. Gjorge Ivanov