The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Letters of Credence by the newly appointed Ambassadors of the Republic of Cuba, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the People's Democratic Republic of Laos.

At the ceremony of presenting the credentials by the newly appointed ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Sofia, H.E. Mr. Pedro Pablo San Jorge Rodriguez, President Ivanov said there is interest the bilateral relations to be developed on a higher level than the previous, stressing that the Republic of Macedonia attaches great importance to the successful development trend of the relations with the countries of Central and Latin America, and especially to the further improvement of the overall relations with friendly Cuba, both at bilateral and multilateral level. I take this occasion to welcome the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, an act that paves the path for further development, prosperity and well-being of the Cuban people, which was encountered with tremendous support from the international community, President Ivanov said.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Cuba assured that in the coming period he will work on signing an agreement on political consultations that would allow visits between officials from both countries to evaluate the progress achieved in the bilateral relations in a systematic way and to explore the opportunities for cooperation, which potentially exist in the field of education, culture, healthcare, pharmaceutical industry and other fields, Mr. Rodriguez said.

At the ceremony of presenting the credentials by the newly appointed Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Sofia, H.E. Ms. Orietta Caponi, President Ivanov expressed hope that specific activities will follow in the coming period in several areas of mutual interest, aimed at strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries. I am deeply convinced that before our two countries, with a rich cultural and historical heritage, there are opportunities for promotion of the cooperation at bilateral and multilateral level, President Ivanov said.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Venezuela, Ms. Orietta Caponi, noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2002, she is the first ambassador appointed. Therefore, my primary objective is the development and nurturing of friendly relations and cooperation in the field of politics, economy, trade, technical education and culture, based on the shared interests of both countries, Ms. Caponi siad.

At the meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos to the Republic of Macedonia, resident in Vienna, H.E. Mr. Poukao Pomavongsa, it was concluded that there are opportunities for finding new forms and content that will enrich the relations and the cooperation between the two countries.

President Ivanov congratulated the newly appointed ambassadors for their posts and wished them success in the execution of their diplomatic duty.