Address by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov at the traditional New Year’s reception for the Diplomatic Corps, held this year in the Institute and Museum - Bitola.
 
Esteemed Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
At the outset, let me wish you and your families Happy New Year, lots of health, happiness and further personal and professional successes.

Today is the day of Saint Basil the Great, the day celebrated by the Orthodox Christians as the Orthodox New Year, which brings new hope, happiness and prosperity. Today is the day when we remember last year’s successes and challenges and, with a good thought, we open the door to the new year. Many of you were surprised when they received the invitations for this traditional reception. For the first time since independence, this reception is organized outside of Skopje. I have decided to organize this year’s reception here in Bitola, in the City of Consuls, a city that in the past was a diplomatic center of Macedonia. Next year we will follow this new tradition, as well.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The year 2011 was for us a year of anniversaries and successes. The Republic of Macedonia wrapped up 2011 with a diplomatic-legal success, which in the eyes of the international community acknowledged the credibility of our foreign policy and the correctness of our aspirations and claims. I expect that 2012 will be the year that will move the status quo in terms of integrations of the Republic of Macedonia. The judgment of the International Court of Justice is final and mandatory. It can not and must not be considered as an advisory opinion, to be improperly evaluated, since it would mean depreciation, weakening and undermining of the international order. Therefore, I would like to underline that the judgment and the Interim Accord are a chance for our neighbor, for all of us, for the region. I am convinced that their compliance would create a favorable environment that will help in finding a mutually acceptable solution to the problem, a problem that we did not want, that is absurd and incomprehensible for the vast majority of the international community. But such a problem exists and we have to face it. For us there is no doubt, and, as before, we will actively and constructively participate in the process with a serious approach.

We expect and hope for the same activeness, strictness and constructiveness of the other side. We expect our southern neighbor to leave off the incorrect maximalistic positions and its current conduct in the process and the actions taken in front of the international public. We expect our neighbors to support our integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures, in accordance with the Interim Accord and the ruling of the International Court of Justice which are a vital part of the Macedonian approach in addressing this issue, pursuant to the international law. I will reiterate, compliance with the judgment would mean observance of the international law and order. Law that today the Republic of Macedonia calls upon, but in future, maybe, your countries will call upon it too. The states have a moral obligation to respect international law. The states are obliged to respect the international duties they have voluntarily taken.

Esteemed Excellencies, I would like to acknowledge that also in the course of this 2012, we remain committed to achieving our strategic goals:
- Membership of Macedonia in NATO and in the European Union.
- Further development of bilateral relations with all countries in the world in accordance with the principle of openness to all.
- Further strengthening of good neighborly relations with the immediate neighborhood and the wider region.
- Proactive approach and sharing initiatives in the regional cooperation.

Rest assured that we remain committed to the reform processes as an investment in our Euro-Atlantic future. I want to believe that the next European Council and the next NATO Summit will provide for positive advancement in these fields. It would be beneficial for us, for Greece, for the European Union and for NATO Alliance.

I would like to emphasize that, as partner and ally to the anti-terrorist coalition in Afghanistan, the Republic of Macedonia will remain as long as necessary, and will follow the trend of transition and handover of the overall authority to the Afghan people.

In terms of regional proactive approach, I want to share with you that the Republic of Macedonia this year assumes the presidency of the most important autochthonus regional initiative – the South East Europe Cooperation Process, which will enable us to actively contribute to strengthening regional cooperation. At the same time, aware of the importance of establishing cultural and civilization corridors, this year we will start with the preparations for the summit dedicated to dialogue among civilizations, which will be held in 2013.

We will proceed with maximum action in all fields. This means attaining standards, values and criteria of the Union. The Copenhagen criteria are Macedonian criteria as well. Owing to the reforms and the prudent economic policy, as a state, we have made progress in the field of economy. Yet, there is a lot of work to be done to reach our final goal - to become an economically developed, energy secured, European and Euro-Atlantic Macedonia.

I know we have the understanding and support of our friends and allies. We will continue to work on deepening of interstate relations and cooperation with your countries.

At the end, I would like to extend my gratitude to you for the overall support thus far, support that you and the countries you represent, give to the Republic of Macedonia.

Thank you!