The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, sent a letter of condolences to the President of the French Republic, Mr. Francois Hollande.

Respected Mr. President,

In shock, with deep sadness and feeling of grievance I received the news of the massacre in Paris and I sincerely regret the loss of lives in this criminal act. The attacks against "Charlie Hebdo" represent and are experienced as an attack on democracy, as an attack against the principles of freedom of thought and speech.

Mr. President, this heinous act done by individuals with closed minds, aimed at sowing fear and feeling of insecurity, whose victims are innocent people, will not waver in the persistence of the preservation of the shared human and civilization values and gains of the entire democratic world. The Republic of Macedonia strongly supports the global efforts to combat terrorism, and, as before, in the future stands ready to cooperate with the democratic world in dealing with this threat as one of the greatest evils of our time.

In these sad moments for you, for the citizens of your country and for the families of the victims, allow me to extend, on behalf of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, my deepest condolences. I want to assure you that the thoughts of the Macedonians are with you and with the people of France.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov