The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Letters of Credence of the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, resident in Sofia, H.E. Archbishop Janusz Bolonek.

President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia and the Holy See nurture relations of mutual understanding and support and that our country continuously attaches special importance to the development of the relations and cooperation with the Holy See. The Holy See’s policy and the efforts at the international level affirming the moral values match the foreign policy orientations of our country. The Republic of Macedonia is a multinational, multicultural and multi-confessional state where dialogue, tolerance, respect for diversity are a centuries-old tradition. Our model of coexistence is our strongest asset in the international community. It is our investment to the regional stability and prosperity, President Ivanov said.

The newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, Archbishop Janusz Bolonek expressed high respect and admiration for the ethnic harmony and religious tolerance upon which the Republic of Macedonia is recognized. It is the key factor for peace, stability and social progress everywhere. He emphasized that, as Apostolic Nuncio, he will strive to further promote understanding and solidarity among people and would do everything in his capacity to further develop and deepen the traditionally good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Macedonia.

Archbishop Janusz Bolonek conveyed greetings of His Holiness - the Pope to the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. The Macedonian President reaffirmed the invitation and expressed interest in hosting the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Republic of Macedonia.