The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the death of the former President of the Republic of Cuba, Mr. Fidel Castro, sent a letter of condolences to Mr. Raul Castro Ruz, President of the State Council and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the people of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, with deep regret, I convey sincere expressions of sympathy on the death of your brother, the former President of the Republic of Cuba, Mr. Fidel Castro. We strongly and deeply sympathize with your loss during these difficult moments.

Regardless of the controversy associated with the name of President Fidel Castro, one thing is certain and clear - nobody can deny his role in recent world history and, even more importantly, the personality and deeds of President Castro are a symbol of the Cuban history and struggle for establishment of a free and independent Republic of Cuba. For these reasons, I would sincerely like to express our solidarity with the friendly people of the Republic of Cuba, with whom our country cherishes traditionally friendly relations.

Your Excellency, I reiterate the assurances of my deepest sympathy and may you convey the condolences to the other members of his immediate family and to the citizens of the Republic of Cuba.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov