The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov addressed at the ceremonial opening of the International Congress “Evliya Celebi’s Balkans”, dedicated to the 400th anniversary since the birth of the famous Ottoman world travel writer. The Congress, being held under the auspices of President Ivanov, is organized by the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA) and the Center for Civilizations Studies at the Bahceshehir University (MEDAM) from Turkey.

“How Has Evlija Celebi Seen Us”

Distinguished President of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Academician Kambovski, Esteemed Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the Republic of Macedonia, welcome to the city of Skopje. The ancient biographer Diogenes Laertius, in the biography of Pythagoras, talks about the song which was supposedly devoted by the famous philosopher to the ancient inhabitants of this city - Skopijads. It is a song that starts with a very important lesson Pythagoras learned from the inhabitants of the city: “Do not be blatant to anyone”. We could say that even today, this thought is informal motto of Skopje.

I believe that almost all travelers and travel writers who came to Macedonia and visited Skopje were aware of this unwritten rule. Today we are here to talk about one of the most famous world travel writers, the man who left in legacy the civilization traces of our, the Balkan past - Evliya Celebi.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
UNESCO declared last year as Evliya Celebi’s year, in honor of the 400 anniversary of his birth. This year we mark 330 years since his death. Indeed, that is yet another reason to open this international conference on Evliya Celebi’s Balkan, here in Macedonia. I will take this opportunity to share with you my thoughts on the great traveler.

His views, which are sometimes burdened with prejudice, however, allow us to understand his and the general Ottoman views on the Balkans in the 17th century. Evliya Celebi, during his travels, inevitably met with non-Muslim and neo-ottoman values and concepts, ideas and customs, which he partially recorded in his scripts. Thus, the writer of travel books contributed to building understanding between peoples, cultures and civilizations.

Although with his creative imagination, Celebi sometimes dramatizes, and therefore some of his descriptions should be taken with caution, however, his writings are important sources not only for history and geography, but for ethnography and anthropology, economics and architecture in our region, the Balkans, Macedonia, Skopje. Visiting Skopje in 1660, he wrote:

”[In the Bazaar] there are 2,150 stores. There are squares and markets, with arches and domes. Of all, the best are: the Bazaar of cotton works, umbrella makers, shoemakers, painters, weavers. These are huge bazaars constructed according to the plan. The lanes are clean and paved. Each store is decorated with hyacinths, violets, roses, basil, lilacs and lily in vases and pots. With their smell, they simply call for the attention of the visitors and traders. There are many educated and honest people. During summer heat, the markets in Skopje look like Baghdad shadows, for all its bazaars are with twisted shutters and arches as in Sarajevo and Aleppo”.

Similar impressions he shared for other Macedonian and Balkan centers he visited during his travels. This inevitably raises the question: What is the secret of the wealth of Skopje, Macedonia, and at the Balkans in general? The wealth which is depicted in our eyes by Celebi. What is the reason for the economic, cultural and social progress in the Balkans in the past? I believe that the secret lies in the open space. Space which created favorable conditions for trade, exchange of ideas, beliefs and views, for people with open minds.

Distinguished Guests,
Only 29 years after Evliya Celebi visited Skopje, the beauty of the city was confirmed by the Austrian general and contemporary of Celebi, Ennio Silva Piccolomini. But unlike the famous travel writer who left Skopje in hope, the famous military commander left the city in ashes.

After the defense of Vienna in 1683, Austria, along with the other countries of the Holy League, launched a counteroffensive attack, deeply entering the territories of the Ottoman Empire, up to Macedonia. Piccolomini with the army arrived in Skopje, where there was a raging cholera epidemic. In his letter of October 31, 1689, to Emperor Leopold I, Piccolomini wrote the following:

”Skopje is a spacious city, not much smaller than Prague or maybe its size. I found it abandoned, without jewels, richly supplied with the products [...] Now I have decided, but very reluctantly, to bury the city in ash. I was sorry for the buildings I have not seen alike in this war, for the mosques of marble and porphyry with thousands of lamps and gilded ornaments that one would paid attention to in Rome, beautiful houses, gardens and nurseries ... large livelihood supplies, all of that I had to surrender to the flame. [...] The smoke darkened the sun on October 26, and the next day. We stood on a high hill and under the sounds of military instruments watched the fire in this beautiful place, really, not without trouble and sorrow, while the thought came into my head that the beautiful suburbs of Vienna suffered the same fate”.

The fire violently disrupted the flourishing of the city. Many houses and stores were burned to ashes, and the epidemic did not cease. Piccolomini also caught cholera and soon died. And from Skopje, only the stone buildings remained, the Fortress, several mosques, the churches of St. Demetrius and St. Saviour, and the great Caravan - Saray. It took the city two centuries to recover from the tragedy. From 60,000 inhabitants, the population dropped to 10,000. In the next 200 years Skopje was small and unknown town until the mid 19th century when trade and crafts were revived and when new buildings started to be build.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
In 1901, almost 250 years after Evliya Celebi, Macedonia was visited by the Russian publicist Alexander Valentinovich Amfiteatrov. In his book "Land of Strife", Amfiteatrov shared his impressions for the wealth of the country, and among the other things, he said:

"The economic situation of the Macedonian peasant does not sadden the Russian eye: Russian and Bulgarian peasants in the Principality are poorer than the Macedonian. [...] Just walking through and seeing with your eyes the South of Macedonia, you can fully understand why with such ferocity many nations have argued and fought for that region, certainly declaring it as theirs because it is - a garden, a real garden! The villagers do not look neglected, their clothing is colorful and rich, many herds graze around the villages, Slavic language is heard everywhere... Bulgarian villages in the Principality are far dirtier. And I do not dare to speak about our villages."

Amfiteatrov called Macedonia the Land of Strife, the land for which its neighbors are struggling. Celebi left Macedonia in hope, Piccolomini in ashes, Amfiteatrov left it in turmoil, strife and division. That goes for the Balkans as well. In our region, there were two Balkan wars, two world wars, the Cold War and the bloody breakup of the Yugoslav federation at the end of the block division.

All this leads us to a hypothetical question: What would Evliya Celebi say today regarding the Balkans? Balkans which, after the turbulent 90s of the last century, today is still divided and closed, Balkans in which still exist fear and prejudice created by the closed space.

Distinguished Guests,
I suggest for a moment to think of Evliya Celebi, today, in our divided Balkans. Instead of the beauties of the cities and regions he visited, today, Celebi would write about frustrations of the long queues at the border crossings, about many forms and conditions that must be met, about the suspicious glances of the border officials. Instead of kindness, hospitality and generosity of people, he would talk about the efforts of the young generations to leave the century-old homes and go into what is now a synonym for open space - Europe.

All this leads us to another hypothetical, and partially rhetorical question: Would Evliya Celebi in present circumstances exist? We must not forget that he was a chronicler of his time, thanks to the open space in which he traveled, communicated and was educated. Space, in which he almost smoothly traveled, observed, wrote down and shared, space that inevitably leads to communication. And we know that those who communicate become integrated, while those who do not communicate become part of a ghetto.

Evliya Celebi is a product of that open space, the same space he wrote for four decades. As a high Ottoman official, he enjoyed the confidence of the authorities he shared his impressions with, his opinions and perceptions of individuals and peoples, their beliefs and values, habits and customs. Thus, he indirectly altered the perception of his contemporaries and of the later generations reading his lines. Hence, the travel writer contributed to building understanding between peoples, cultures and civilizations. Consequently the dilemma emerged: Who would be the modern Celebi? Are the reports of the European Commission, the Freedom House or the OSCE modern counterparts of his travelogues? Is the Internet modern Celebi?

Mark Twain said: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, fanatism and narrow-mindedness". I believe Celebi very early became aware of this great truth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the end, let me share with you the conviction that new times require new Evliya Celebi, who could successfully fulfill his role only in terms of open space. I believe that this conference will address some of these issues. I wish you a fruitful discussion.

Thank you.

Welcome address by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, at the opening of the 15. Eurasian Economic Summit in Istanbul:

Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

It is a distinct pleasure to be part of this Forum for the third time. The pleasure is even greater this year because the Eurasian Forum celebrates its 15th anniversary. A jubilee that clearly indicates the value of the Forum and the importance of the topics discussed here. Therefore, I extend my thankfulness to the Marmara Foundation for the invitation, the excellent organization and the warm hospitality.

Special is the pleasure to see here my colleagues and friends from the region and representatives from the business sector and the academic community. The topics of this year’s Forum are up-to-date and correspond with the time we live in.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that in the next few days, we will have fruitful discussions and debates on the fervent and global issues of today. This is a good opportunity for us all to provide our concrete contribution towards finding common and sustainable solutions to the challenges.

Our agenda includes some of the latest issues in the world: the situation in terms of economy, ecology and energy, the problem with the sustainable development, gender inequality and inter-cultural dialogue. We acknowledge that the United Nations, the major regional organizations, as well as part of the world’s non-governmental structures have thus far designed a number of strategies. Strategies aimed at tackling the challenges and creating a better world. It is true that significant results are achieved and that there are positive changes and fundamental progress. Indeed, I will elaborate this on tomorrow’s session. Let me briefly summarize my observations.

In the course of the last decade of the 20th century, the region of Southeastern Europe has become a synonym for prejudice, divisions and conflicts. In the first decade of the 21st century, we have managed to create an environment for cooperation. However, in this second decade, we have to make up what we have missed. We must be connected in economy, infrastructure and energy. The global strategies for meeting the Millennium Development Goals must be regionalized, implemented at local and micro level. I am convinced that this important Forum has enough potential, wisdom and experience, will and commitment to achieve the set goals.

Esteemed Excellencies,
At the end, once again, I avail myself of this opportunity to convey the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes for your health, success and prosperity.

Thank you.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov on the occasion of the 20th jubilee of Macedonian Olympic Committee's founding held a reception, which was attended by the MOC members, the President of the European Olympic Committees, Patrick Joseph Hickey from Ireland, as well as the presidents of Olympic Committees and honorable guests from many other European countries – Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Germany, Bulgaria, Serbia, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine.

Distinguished Representatives of the Macedonian Olympic Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
It is a great pleasure to address you today, marking the 20th anniversary of the Macedonian Olympic Committee – a Committee that has grown from the long-standing Macedonian Olympic tradition and the numerous successes of the Macedonian athletes in the Olympic Games in the past fifty years.

Distinguished guests,
Through its power to attract, mobilize and inspire individuals, communities and nations, sport brings the best in us out. Sport helps us promote ideas of peace, tolerance, justice, non-violence and solidarity. As an inclusive, instead of exclusive human activity, which understands participation instead of isolation, sport encourages reconciliation, especially in multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual societies.

The Republic of Macedonia is a country with exceptional sport successes, victories, either at team level or through individual players. We are witnessing that each victory has a positive impact on the Macedonian society. For this reason, our Olympic heroes and our athletes in general, are not only champions in their respective fields. They are also champions of good will and hope. We must never forget people and teams that brought Olympic medals to the Republic of Macedonia, since they are the examples we need today for a better tomorrow.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Success gives birth to new success. Therefore, we invest in sport not only as a physical activity, but as a way of building positive attitude, dedicated individuals who through sport can contribute to the social progress. Through sport we need to prepare the future for the youth as well as the youth for the future.

At the end, I wish the members of the Macedonian Olympic Committee many more jubilees, and I wish our sportsmen many more Olympic successes.

Thank you.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, addressed at the opening of the Conference of US-Adriatic Charter Defense Ministers – “Common Challenges and Joint Solutions”.

Dear attendees, Distinguished Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my honor and privilege to greet you in the Republic of Macedonia, the year that we are marking two decades of existence of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia. An army which met the NATO membership criteria. An army participating, shoulder to shoulder, with the Alliance in peace missions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Nine years ago, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia and the United States of America signed the Adriatic Charter. A Charter of partnership founded on the “shared vision of a peaceful southeast Europe, fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community, devoted to democracy, the rule of law and the respect of human rights and basic freedoms".

Nine years later, Albania and Croatia are full-fledged members of NATO, and the Adriatic partnership expended with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. We are happy with the success of Albania and Croatia, which we feel as our own success and the success of the entire region.

In the past period, the partnership with the United States of America incited our countries to dedicate themselves to fostering good neighborly relations and regional cooperation. We were inspired to accelerate and strengthen the democratic and market reforms in our countries, and therewith the security, progress and stability of the region.

This had and still has a common objective. Full-fledged integration of our countries in the EU and Euro-Atlantic political, economic, security and defense institutions. An objective which has been sealed not only by the signatures on the documents, but also with the active participation in the ISAF peace mission in Afghanistan.

Distinguished Excellencies,
Today’s conference is dedicated to the “Common Challenges and Joint Solutions”. The challenges become more numerous and versatile: the global economic crisis and its implications on the regional security and development, the energy security, and not to forget the possibilities of applying NATO’s Smart Defense Concept.

No matter the consequences, I believe that the joint solutions do not infer only to the shared values, assignments and responsibilities. They also enclose the shared rights and privileges derived from the desired, and most of all, deserved NATO membership.

This conference is the true place, in the period prior to the forthcoming Chicago NATO Summit, to remember, among other, what instigated the Adriatic Charter. The preamble of the Charter reads that the partnership results from the opportunity to complete a “whole new Europe where every state, every ethnic group, every citizen and every religion will enjoy safety and respect". 

We are interested in becoming a part of the builders of the new Europe. We want to be partners and allies with all our neighbors, and together building the present and the future of our region. Unfortunately, as it has been substantiated many times in the past, formally, although not essentially, our desire has been impeded by an absurd and imposed dispute, which accordingly inflicts blackmail and ultimatum.

We are not content, but we are not discouraged either. Discontent does not imply abandoning the partnership and visions. On the contrary, we are even more encouraged and strongly focused on our part of the obligations. Our proper responsible behavior was only reaffirmed by the ruling of the International Court of Justice. This ruling offered a new, legal dimension and requires a new approach by all NATO member countries. An approach which means respecting the ruling and the international law. An approach which signifies that the NATO member countries should reconsider their positions concerning Macedonia's membership to NATO. Respecting the ruling of the international law, and ultimately, respecting the Interim Agreement, entails a reconsideration of the conclusion from Bucharest in Chicago. Therefore, we hope that our neighbor, in the spirit of the shared values with the Alliance member countries, shall respect the agreed, i.e. the responsibilities from the Interim Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Respecting the agreements and the international law are the guarantee behind a safer and more prosperous world. It is only in this way that we will contribute to building the greatest peace project – Europe whole, free and secure.

Thank you.

Address by President of Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov at the presentation of the publication “Religion and Culture – Unseparable Bond Among Nations”, dedicated to the Second World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations, that took place in Ohrid in 2010.

Respected Attendees, Distinguished Members of the Religious Communities, Distinguished Media Representatives, Esteemed Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It was with pleasure that I accepted the invitation to participate in the presentation of the publication dedicated to the Second World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations. A Conference that two years ago was held in our spiritual and cultural capital Ohrid. This Conference is the fruit of the seed which was sowed in 2003 by the Republic of Macedonia as initiator of the Regional Forum on Dialogue among Civilizations under the leadership of the man who understood the significance of this idea and translated it into action, one of my predecessors, President Boris Trajkovski.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The need for dialogue, the need for communication in the world has never been greater than it is today. Today we feel growing intolerance, religious fundamentalism and exclusion. We live at a time when many societies are in a deep crisis of moral values. I believe the dialogue among religions and cultures is the basic tool for overcoming prejudice and fear, for cohesion and understanding between people regardless of the religion they belong to.

The fact that this publication is issued in Macedonian, Albanian, English, French and Russian reflects the respect for diversity, and the universality of messages sent. Regardless of the language used, the messages are always the same: peace, cooperation and tolerance, coexistence, freedom and love.

Esteemed guests,
The thought contained in all religious books remained unforgettable: “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. This covenant is particularly essential today in the multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-religious societies we live in. Societies which enabled for centuries peaceful coexistence between religions and cultures. Societies in which people from different religions and various cultures have a long tradition of coexistence and respect.

Macedonia has lived in a world of diversity, respecting what is left as a legacy. Life has taught us to coexistence, tolerance and mutual understanding and assistance. We are reminded on this by what we on the Balkans know as Kapicik, in the true sense of the word. It is known from the past, that even when the door between neighbors was locked, the Kapicik always remained open. Open to dialogue, exchange and help. As a gate that was not supposed to be closed even in times of challenges. Our aspiration is based on this: to preserve what we have inherited. Most probably that was the reason Macedonia to host these two world conferences- to share our positive experiences with others.

Dear friends,
One of the numerous inspirational messages sent during the Second World Conference was that “Society can change, but only if people can change. Spiritually rebuilding people is the dream of every era. A free society can be built only by spiritually free people”. I believe that such conferences are a roadmap leading our generation towards building spiritually free people. People free from fear and prejudice, intolerance and hatred, focused on openness, mutual understanding and support. We must not forget that dialogue is changing hearts and minds of individuals. The one who communicates is integrated and the one who does not communicate becomes part of a ghetto, persisting with invented hostilities.

At the very end, let me share with you my conviction that the cycle of world conferences on inter-religious and intercultural dialogue will result in solid and valuable guidelines in future. Guidelines that will represent a bridge of understanding between peoples, mutual respect and tolerance for a better world.

Thank you.

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

It is my special pleasure to greet you today in Skopje, during the Annual Conference on Border Security. I am confident that this event can be seen as a concrete Macedonian contribution to the promotion of the border security.

I believe it is particularly important that this Ministerial Conference is being organized exactly today. Today, when one of the priorities of the European Union is the establishment of a safer Europe. We are proud that European values are Macedonian values, too. Be assured that the fight against international crime and terrorism and preventing illegal immigration are also our priorities.

Distinguished Guests,

We are aware that security does not start and end in our yard, our property, our country. In this interdependent, connected and globalized world, we are not only connected by the values but by the risks we share. Indeed, shared risks require a joint response.

I believe that the Center for Democratic Control of the Armed Forces is an instrument that enables 60 countries in the world to address the new security risks successfully and jointly. The model of border security promoted by the Centre for Democratic Control does not affect the essence of the four freedoms - free movement of people, goods, services and capital.

Ladies and Gentlemen

This year marks the 10th anniversary of successful functioning of the Border Security Program. The Republic of Macedonia is especially proud to be an active participant in this Program. Through this Program, in the past decade, we have received and learned a lot about meeting the standards of the European Union in the field of border management. And even more than that. This Program offers a holistic reform of the security sector. A Reform that ensured introduction of the modern border security concept. A Concept that involves open but well-controlled borders. I believe that the other DCAF member states have similar positive experiences.

I applaud the achievements so far and encourage further steps that will contribute towards building a safer region, safer Europe and safer world in general. I am confident that in the coming period we will be able to establish practice of joint risk analysis, joint operations and information management.

At the very end, congratulating you once again the jubilee of the Border Security Program, I wish you a successful conference.

Thank you.