The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the eve of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3rd, received today representatives of the National Council of Disability Organizations of the Republic of Macedonia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Union of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of the Republic of Macedonia, Union of the Blind People of the Republic of Macedonia, Union of Physically Disabled People of Macedonia – "Mobility Macedonia", National Center for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities – "Poraka", Association of war invalids of Macedonia, National Federation for Sports and recreation of Invalids of Macedonia and the National Union of labor invalids of the Republic of Macedonia.

The representatives of the National Council of Disability Organizations of Macedonia informed President Ivanov on the ongoing activities marking December 3rd, on the results achieved in implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as on the situation of people with disabilities in the Republic Macedonia and the challenges they face.

President Ivanov expressed support for the activities of disability organizations and stressed that he will continue to strive towards further improvement of the rights of persons with disabilities, both through improved legislation and through its consistent implementation.

"The state and the society as a whole must take care of all citizens. Caring for persons with disabilities must be continuous, both factually and legally. I urge that the improvement of the lives of people with disabilities should not only be led by the institutions of the system on the social level, but also by municipalities, through local institutions, and most importantly, through the family. Institutions and society as a whole must find mechanisms to strengthen the inherent role of the family as these are systemic, and individual problems, and support must be tailored to the individual needs", President Ivanov stressed.

The Macedonian President told the representatives of the National Council of Disability Organizations of Macedonia that regardless of the situation, they still need to uncompromisingly advocate for promoting their needs and rights, expressing support for prompt resolution of the priority requirements of the disability organizations.

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of active operation of the Union of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Macedonia, the President of the Union informed President Ivanov on the results achieved of the implemented activities by their union.