The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today in Mostar addressed at the plenary session of the UNESCO Summit of South-East Europe’s Heads of State entitled "Religious, Cultural and Historical Heritage as a Foundation for More Intensive Cooperation among States", within the Forum “Dialogue among Civilizations”.

Distinguished Participants, Esteemed Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I avail myself of this opportunity to express my great pleasure that today I can greet and address this distinguished gathering. Given that this is the 10th consecutive summit, it is a proof of the willingness and readiness of the countries from the region to cooperate. It is a confirmation of the importance of regional cooperation. The importance of this year’s Forum is enhanced by being held in Mostar, the city that today regains its ancient role of a city-bridge between peoples, cultures and religions.

Distinguished Participants,
The Republic of Macedonia is proud to be the initiator of this type of summits. In 2003, President Boris Trajkovski initiated this series of meetings dedicated to culture to which, to our great satisfaction, UNESCO and the Council of Europe joined. Taking this opportunity I would like to recollect the words of President Trajkovski: “There is a time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; a time to love and a time to hate. But now, dear friends, it is a time to heal and a time to build peace”.

He tragically died 8 years ago, near Mostar, leaving us the covenant to keep up building peace in the Balkans. A covenant which is carved in the 2003 Ohrid Declaration, where, among the other things, it is stated: “We, the participants in the Ohrid Regional Forum on the Dialogue among Civilizations, commit ourselves to a culture of dialogue, tolerance and peace in order to advance prosperity, well-being and mutual cooperation among the peoples and countries of the South-East Europe region”.

Esteemed Excellencies,
This series of meetings helped contribute to building peace in the Balkans. Helped strengthen cooperation, stabilization of relations among our countries, both in terms of culture, politics and economy, through regional and personal dimension. Owing to this kind of meetings, relations among the countries in our region have become more relaxed. Nevertheless, this Forum helped us, the Balkan leaders, establish and maintain personal relations and contacts.

All of us at this table are aware of the importance of the contacts in our region. Such meetings enabled us, through neutral topics, to highlight the great cultural and historical heritage which abounds throughout the region. These meetings were the herald of more intensive bilateral, but more importantly, regional cooperation. We have created conditions for better understanding, for overcoming historical prejudice, thanks to an extremely important dimension- the historical and cultural heritage.

Oftentimes at the meetings with European and world leaders, with a metaphor, I describe the reality that we have missed so much in the Balkans. For long, we in the Balkans, had been focused on the past and looked back at the rear-view mirror. And not coincidentally, the rear-view mirror for vehicles is small, while the windscreen is widespread.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The last decade of the 20th century in our region was a period of turbulence. Balkans was recognized by tragedies of victims and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons.

The first decade of the 21st century was a period of healing wounds and peace building. Thanks to the numerous initiatives, including today's Forum, the image of the Balkans has been changed. The past is replaced with the desire and the need for a common future in the big European and Euro-Atlantic family. Yet, I think we can do much more.

I believe that the second decade of the 21st century, of the dialogue among civilizations, should be a decade of specific activities. The list of declarations and documents of previous forums shows that capital has been created. Capital that needs to be invested and multiplied by concretization of cooperation among the countries in the spheres of mutual interest.

Today Bosnia and Herzegovina hosts the 10th Annual Forum. The Republic of Macedonia will be the host in June 2013, of the 10th anniversary of this type of meetings. I believe this gives us a unique opportunity to see what we have done and what should be done for the benefit of the citizens. Our citizens expect and deserve more than political declarations. It is time to launch a new phase, a phase of specific projects and activities. I have no doubt that all our energy should be directed towards youth, toward shaping young people for the future and future for young people. Such is the spirit of the School for Young Leaders, which is being organized for the third consecutive year in Ohrid. We need to do something similar at regional level, to prepare the ones who will come after us so that they would make better achievements than we have.

Distinguished Participants,
Turning to the topic of this year's Summit, religious, cultural and historical heritage as a foundation for more intensive cooperation among the countries, let me share with you some of my observations.

The need for dialogue, the need for openness and communication in the world has never been greater than today, today, when there is a feeling of growing intolerance, religious fundamentalism and exclusion. At a time when many societies are facing and struggling with deep crisis of certain moral values. I believe that the dialogue among religions and cultures is instrumental for overcoming prejudice and fear, for cohesion and understanding among peoples regardless of religion they belong to.

We must not forget that dialogue is changing hearts and minds of individuals. The one who communicates becomes integrated and the one who does not communicate becomes ghettoized, saddled with imaginary enmities.

Past experience indicates that our region has survived in peace when there was an open space. Best proof for that is the history of this splendid city of Mostar. Whenever Mostar is part of an open space, it performs its primary role of a city-bridge, a city that connects and unites different peoples, religions and cultures. Whenever Mostar is part of a closed, divided and isolated area, its multicultural, multiethnic and multi-confessional soul is split. This refers to Mostar, but it refers to our societies, too.

Esteemed Excellencies,
The future of the Balkans depends on Europe but also the European future depends in part on the Balkans. My vision and motto has always been: "European peace is unattainable without Balkan peace". My consideration, however, is that the unification of the European continent, and the efforts to attain the vision of "Europe united in diversity" can be accomplished with the implementation of the models of multi-ethnic coexistence that are applied in the Balkans, in particular the Macedonian model, a model of multiethnic democracy that implies integration without assimilation. I am confident that these positive Balkan experiences can help in shaping the European future.

The Republic of Macedonia used to live and is living in a world of diversity, respecting legacy. Life has taught us to coexistence, tolerance and mutual understanding and assistance. We are reminded of this by what we in the Balkans know as Kapicik (small gate), in the true sense of the word. It is known from past days, that even when the gate between neighbors was locked, the small gate always remained open. Open to dialogue, exchange and assistance, as a gate that even in times of challenge was not supposed to be closed.

Despite the turbulent 90s of the last century, the countries of Southeast Europe today can offer an authentic model of multiethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual coexistence. Coexistence reflecting the diversity of the region and the rich historical experience accumulated over the centuries. Coexistence that answers some of the challenges faced today by the European Union member-states.

In the core of this is the experience of our multiethnic, multilingual and multi-religious societies. Societies that for centuries enabled peaceful coexistence among religions and cultures. Societies in which people from different religions and different cultures share a long tradition of coexistence and respect. I believe we should uphold this in the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am convinced that our region has an incomparable advantage over many other regions in Europe and worldwide. Where do I see this advantage? For long periods of time our region lived in an open space, a space without borders. That enabled great interaction between diversity in every aspect. The values of tolerance, dialogue and coexistence are embedded in our Balkan code. Adversities emerged when the process of creating boundaries started. But, there is a way out. The code that we bear needs to be put in function for the future. Future in which we will minimize the significance of borders in the Balkans again. I believe only with our membership in the European Union we can achieve this.

Thank you.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, being a patron of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute of Economics – Skopje, addressed the scientific conference “Challenges of Science in Knowledge-Based Economy – Situation and Perspectives”.

Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

Today, with pride, we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment and functioning of the Institute of Economics - Skopje. An Institute which in the past six decades has enabled numerous generations of economists, researchers and students to create, develop and promote the economic science in the Republic of Macedonia, a science that helped in laying the pillars upon which modern Macedonian economy rests.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Anniversaries are a great opportunity to make an overview of what has been achieved so far, but also to look into the future. We are here to determine the challenges science is facing in the knowledge-based economy, to determine the situation, but also to share our insights regarding the prospects of our, Macedonian economy.

Results speak for themselves. Unlike many countries in the world, the Republic of Macedonia today is monetary stable. Numerous regulations that were stifling the freedom of the market for long are now significantly reduced. We can be satisfied with the results of the fight against corruption. We are witnessing that, although the world is undergoing an economic crisis not seen for decades, Macedonia still has a relatively stable economy and manages to attract foreign investment. However, we can do more than that.

Distinguished Participants,
Some believe that the state’s role in supporting science, technology and innovation is measured by how much money is invested in research and development. I agree that money is important metrics, but money expresses only the input, not the output. The real question to be asked is: Can we achieve more with fewer resources? This requires an innovative response! It requires thinking beyond the box. Let’s be innovative.

If knowledge is a means, then innovation is a process. A process that is basis of every knowledge-based economy. My vision for Macedonia is a country of diligent, ambitious and successful people, a country open to foreign investment, a country of advanced technology, entrepreneurship and innovation. A country where the economic growth and success are based on personal responsibility, professionalism and dedication. The core of this vision is well-grounded economic science. Science that will offer an approach to adapt the successful economic models to the Macedonian circumstances. Science that will help increase the economic strength of our society. Namely, what economic strength is if it is not the ability to apply accumulated knowledge in generating economic development and progress? Therefore, I think our biggest investment is education. Education that will cultivate a spirit of openness, inventiveness and determination.

With such a thought, at the very end, I wish the Institute of Economics to continue to enrich the Macedonian economic science with new ideas and perspectives, and successfully address the challenges posed by the new time.

Thank you.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov addressed today the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the Nations contributing to NATO / ISAF:

Esteemed Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the very beginning, I avail myself of this opportunity to share with all previous interlocutors my condolences for the ISAF soldiers who gave their lives for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

I would like to emphasize at this point, that we, along with our NATO partners, have already practically launched the implementation of the New NATO Smart Defense Strategy. We fully support the new approach of the Smart Defense Concept in order to maximize effectiveness and minimize expenditures. We also support the commitment for financial assistance of the Afghan security forces whereas Macedonia will participate according to its possibilities.

Based on partners’ assessment on ISAF troops withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Republic of Macedonia, in line with its interests, as it has done so far, will comply with the joint strategic goals.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Macedonia, we also mark 10 years of our active contribution to the ISAF mission. In the past decade, more than 2.800 Macedonian peacekeepers have undergone 24 rotations. In these 10 years, the Republic of Macedonia came to be one of the five top per capita contributors. Macedonia will uphold its commitment to this global partnership.

Respected Attendees,
Our commitment is not only declarative, but also real. As Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, I have witnessed the fidelity, dedication and skillfulness of the Macedonian peacekeepers. Macedonian commitment is continuous and visible to everyone, to all NATO member states, to all ISAF participating nations, and, most importantly, to the people of Afghanistan. From protecting and defending the ISAF Headquarters in Kabul from attacks, through the active participation of Macedonian peacekeeping troops as part of the PHOENIX mission. Standing under the NATO banner, they have been several times decorated by the most powerful armies of today; they are the attesters of Macedonian decisiveness and endurance.

As an active ISAF contributor, Macedonia shares the responsibilities, obligations and risks. Macedonia at the same time expects to share membership rights and benefits. Macedonia, despite the contribution it provides and despite the fully met requirements ever since 2008 is being blocked on its path to full-fledged NATO membership by a precondition set forth by a member of the Alliance, a precondition that is not correlated with membership criteria.

The International Court of Justice, deciding upon the lawsuit filed by my country, found in a judgment that the conduct of our southern neighbor was illegal.
 

Esteemed Excellencies, I will be frank to say that our citizens, the leadership of the Republic of Macedonia are fully disappointed with the delays. This time it was necessary the mistake and injustice done to us in Bucharest to be corrected.
 

We regret that Greece did not find strength to act responsibly in respect of the obligations undertaken with the Interim Accord. Such a behavior is completely opposite to the expectation of the Court that Greece would not repeat the illegal act from Bucharest. Apparently, there is a second violation of the Interim Accord by Greece.
 

I reiterate we are disappointed by the new delay. However, it has never been an issue for us whether Macedonia would become a NATO member state, but when this would happen. The sooner, the better. It would be better for Macedonia, for the region of South-East Europe and, of course, for NATO and the global security.
 

We continue, with the same dedication and interest, to act as a de facto member-state of the Alliance. We continue to constructively carry out our share of the responsibilities, just as any NATO member-state is expected to do.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
At this moment, while I am addressing you, Macedonian peacekeepers act responsibly and fulfill the undertaken duties, protecting the ISAF Headquarters in Kabul, along with your brave women and men in uniform.
 

Politics is merciless towards Macedonian peacekeepers who put their lives at risk on a daily basis in order to bring freedom and security in Afghanistan. But politics is also merciless towards all the citizens of Macedonia who are deprived of enjoying NATO membership benefits. It is a result of irresponsible politicians in our neighbor who, hiding behind the consensus, not only bring NATO in an unpleasant situation to defend indefensible in terms of international law positions, but contrary to all rules and regulations, do not contribute to the stability and security of our region. I am convinced that all of you here listening to my speech are aware of this. And you know that this delay is not our failure.
 

Life has thought us never to retreat before the challenges. Generations and generations of Macedonians were part of the fight for justice, peace, security and development for all. With persistent work towards common goals, and with trust that justice and reason always win, although they sometimes come late, we remain consistent with the undertaken responsibilities.
 

Thank you.

NATO heads of state gather meet tomorrow and Monday, the alliance's longstanding open-door policy, which guarantees membership to all European democracies, will be tested by the pending membership of the Republic of Macedonia.

For decades, NATO membership promised peace and security for the nations that emerged from behind the Iron Curtain. But even as Macedonia's soldiers do hard duty in Afghanistan guarding the gates of NATO's Kabul headquarters, our nation waits on the alliance's doorstep for the fulfillment of that promise.

Macedonia has demonstrated its commitment to trans-Atlantic security interests time and again. Even now, as the mission in Afghanistan strains NATO's forces, our parliament unanimously approved each of NATO's requests for additional troops. While other nations pulled out, Macedonians dug in.

Our message is simple: We will continue to stand by American and NATO troops, without caveats, for as long as we are needed.

As one of the largest-per-capita troop contributors in Afghanistan, Macedonia is heavily invested in the outcome of the debate over that nation. That said, we would much prefer to participate in this conversation as a NATO member rather than observe it as a spectator. And as a nation with boots on the ground yet no voice in the mission, the Republic of Macedonia believes NATO enlargement has a rightful place on the Chicago summit's agenda as well.

In theory, the path to NATO membership is clear: Any European democracy that meets the qualifications for membership -- such as strengthening the rule of law, ensuring media freedom, fighting corruption and holding free and fair elections -- will be invited to join the alliance. Yet for the Republic of Macedonia, this path has been full of unexpected twists, turns and obstacles.

At NATO's Bucharest Summit in 2008, alliance members unanimously agreed that Macedonia met every condition of membership. But despite that consensus, Macedonia's entry into NATO was vetoed by Greece, due to a longstanding dispute over our country's name. For this reason, and this reason only, the Republic of Macedonia remains on NATO's doorstep.
 

Our legal standing has been confirmed by the International Court of Justice's recent ruling that Greece's 2008 action violated international law. And our nation has been heartened by steps taken by the U.S. Congress -- namely, the introduction of the NATO Enhancement Act of 2012, and a call by 54 members of Congress for President Barack Obama to support NATO membership for Macedonia in Chicago. In other NATO capitals as well, there is a growing consensus that Macedonia should not be needlessly obstructed from joining the alliance.
 

Macedonia could take its deserved position in NATO if Greece simply abides by the 1995 Interim Accord between our countries, reached with support from the U.S. government and facilitated by the late Richard Holbrooke, where Greece agreed not to obstruct Macedonia's membership in international organizations provided that we apply using a provisional name.
 

Macedonia remains strongly committed to finding a lasting, mutually acceptable solution to the name dispute, and we will continue to work toward an agreement that both preserves our national identity and dignity, and addresses Greece's interests. But the status quo surrounding our application for NATO membership is unsustainable for our nation, region and the alliance.
 

It is unsustainable for the U.S. as well. The Republic of Macedonia is half a world away, but our situation directly affects U.S. national security interests. For more than two decades, the United States has invested heavily in the stability of southeastern Europe. Congress and successive administrations have repeatedly recognized the importance of NATO enlargement by supporting entry at the earliest possible date for all democratic European countries that satisfy the relevant criteria.
 

Yet in practice, the earliest possible date for Macedonia's entry has been -- since 2008 -- subject to the interpretation of just one other nation. This impasse has effectively shut NATO's open door to us and, in the long term, undermines hard-won stability in southeastern Europe.
 

Macedonia, along with other Balkan nations, is ready, willing and able to do its fair share to help keep Europe safe. We hope that the NATO leaders meeting in Chicago will provide at the very least a clear path to our membership. All aspirant nations -- and all member nations -- will lose if NATO chooses instead to keep its door closed.
 

--Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia
 

Address by President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Dr. Gjorge Ivanov at the opening session of the Conference “The Role of the Active and Reserve Component of the Armed Forces in Support of their Missions and Tasks in Regional and Global Security in the 21st century”:

In the year when we are celebrating two decades since the establishment of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, I was very pleased to accept the invitation to take part in this event. An event dedicated to the importance and role of the active component and the reserve of the armed forces in the 21st century. 

We recently marked the 20th anniversary of the day when the component of the reserve officers took over the defence of our country. It is patriotism in action, dedication that does not end when the uniform is taken off. Dedication that we are grateful for.

Dear guests,
Persistence is a characteristic of the courageous. We know that the courage of the reserve component of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia remains equally strong and unchanged. On the other hand, the world is changing. Security in the 21st century must be comprehensive in order to be sustainable. It should guarantee the welfare of both the individual and the society. Of the country and the international community as well.

The risks from one part of the world are reflected in other parts of the world as well. The challenges of today – global terrorism, proliferation of WMD, international organized crime – are a threat to all of us. We therefore invest in our and European security. To that end, the Republic of Macedonia has made available in continuity its peace keepers in defence of the values of freedom and democracy as part of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

I believe that in these changed conditions we can still rely on you. I want you to know that there is a real need for reserve forces. We have an active component of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, but we have also planned for an active reserve. I believe that the reserve component should have an appropriate role and place in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. Army that has met the criteria for NATO membership.

Unfortunately, as it has been stated many times, formally, but not essentially, our wish has been impeded due to an absurd and imposed dispute. We are not satisfied, but we are not discouraged either. Despite the dissatisfaction, we are not going to abandon the partnership. Despite the obstacle, we remain focused on what is our part of the obligations. The correctness of our responsible behaviour to date has only been confirmed by the ruling of the International Court of Justice. A ruling that offers a new legal dimension and requires a new approach by all NATO member states. An approach that means compliance with the ruling and the international law. All this means that the NATO member states should re-examine their positions regarding Macedonia’s membership to NATO. The compliance with the ruling, the international law and finally the Interim Accord, implies that the Bucharest decision should be reconsidered in Chicago.

At the very end, I would like to wish successful work to the organizers and participants at this important Conference.

Thank you.

Address by the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov at the opening of the first Balkan Venture Forum, being held under his auspices, organized by Balkan Unlimited.

Disitnguished Attendees, Esteemed Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my distinct pleasure to wish you welcome at the first Balkan Venture Forum in Skopje. This significant event puts Macedonia on the map of regular European meetings of entrepreneurs, innovators and investors. From now on, Macedonia and its regional neighbors are officially networked in the big European family of investors and entrepreneurs in the innovative sectors. Through these meetings we promote exchange of innovations, experiences and opportunities which help entrepreneurs realize their business ideas.

We know that an idea can change everything. Bill Gates had an idea, but when he started pursuing investors, some refused him, believing that his idea was too risky. We can only assume how they feel today. Therefore, I believe that such events are a challenge and an opportunity for presenting new ideas. Ideas that can result in cooperation that would lead to the next Apple, Microsoft, Skype, Genentech.

Information and communication technologies are changing the world we live in, or as Thomas Friedman says, they make the world flat. A flat world is equally accessible to all those individuals and groups, countries and regions involved in this global phenomenon. That is possible today, in times of globalization, at a time when every company can sell its products over the Internet.

I am particularly pleased to see many international investors at this investment forum. I am confident that here they will find high-tech innovators and entrepreneurs from the Balkans and together they will establish investment and strategic partnerships.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Some believe that the role of the Government and of the state in general in support of science, technology and innovation is measured by how much money is invested in research and development. Money is important metrics, but thus only the input, and not the output is expressed. The real question I ask myself is: Is ti possible to achieve more with less resources? This question requires an innovative response! We should think beyond the mattrix.

There are various indicators of economic development of a country, such as, for example, the gross domestic product, the scope of foreign investment, infrastructure and energy. However, real driving force for economic growth of a country are entrepreneurs and innovators. You, who think differently from the others, are the real instigators of economic development, instigators and leaders of social progress.

If you ask entrepreneurs: What is the biggest challenge to start a business, the most common answer would be: to find and retain hardworking people. Diligence is valuable because is hard to find. Indeed, I would like to assure you that our greatest resource is our citizens and their diligence, creativity and dedication.

Our biggest investment is education of generations to come. Moreover, our greatest responsibility is through education to cultivate a spirit of openness, inventiveness and determination. Through openness, we have evolved from the traditional, outdated ways of thinking that are restricting us and stand on the path of the future. Through inventiveness we create ideas that move the economy, science and society. But through determination, we are competing the risk. Hence, being an entrepreneur means exactly that – a competition against the risk. A man who does not give up even when he is not successful, will certainly succeed in the end. What he needs is a willingness to continue. Therefore, we should not be afraid, but we must learn from failure. In circumstances when the Internet has globalized and localized the world and the global economy, there is no greater risk of not taking a risk.

Distinguished Participants,
The world is still recuperating from the global economic and financial crisis. The only way we can successfully overcome the crisis and establish a sustainable economy based on free market, competitiveness and quality, is to encourage the work of small and medium enterprises. They are pillars of the economic development of any successful country.

Our vision is to create innovation-based economy. Our goal is the Republic of Macedonia to become a country of innovators and innovations. I believe our neighbors share the same vision. Together we can contribute to the growth and market creation. Market in which companies, small and medium enterprises, will always compete with new and unique ideas, products and services, using sophisticated manufacturing processes. We need to create favorable conditions through strategic planning, appropriate legislative framework and institutional development. Businessmen and investors will be able to see the potentials and provide the necessary financial support.

I believe this important conference is a platform for this development because it encourages synergy among investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, policy makers and businessmen at national and regional level. Also, it encourages innovation as one of the most cost-effective investments. I am convinced that this event for many managers and entrepreneurs will be an incubator for new businesses and entering new markets. I am particularly glad that this event is the first one in the series of similar planned annual forums in the region.

At the end, I avail myself of this opportunity to urge : Tempus fugit - carpe diem! Time flies – seize the day! Utilize the opportunities you have. Make partnerships, invest in the Republic of Macedonia, invest in our region. Concluding with this thought, I declare the first Balkan Venture Forum opened!

Thank you.