On the occasion of July 14th, Bastille Day, the national holiday of the French Republic, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov sent a message to the President of the Frnch Republic, Nikolas Sarkozy.

Distinguished Mr. President,

On the occasion of Bastille Day, the national holiday of the French Republic, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, to you personally and to all citizens of your country, I extend cordial congratulations and sincere wishes for prosperity of your country and welfare of the friendly people of France.

The importance of July 14th, 1789, for France and for Europe and the world is huge. We celebrate the ideals of the French Revolution - liberty, equality, fraternity, as well as the ideals outlined in the Declaration on the Rights of Man and Citizen - freedom, right to property, security, right to fight oppression. Ideals which in continuity inspire people and nations worldwide, aspiring towards attaining natural rights of man. Ideals which two decades ago were met by the Republic of Macedonia.

I avail myself of this solemn occasion to express satisfaction with the current development of the relations which are advancing and upgrading in the spirit of the common commitments to democratic, stable, united and prosperous Europe.

Remembering the visionary words of the great Frenchman and European Jean Monnet – “To build Europe is to build peace” - I assure you, Mr. President, that the Republic of Macedonia and its citizens remain committed to fulfilling the centuries-old dream for European and Euro-Atlantic Macedonia. I would like to take this solemn occasion to express my gratitude for your country’s support to the Republic of Macedonia in this regard, and to emphasize my deep conviction and expectation that it will continue in the coming period.

On this note, with sincere wishes for further success in your work, good health and personal happiness, I convey to you the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov