Distinguished guests,
Distinguished Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honor and pleasure to give you a warm welcome in the Republic of Macedonia, at the Macedonia Economic Summit.
Tonight, in ambience of the past, we talk about how to seize the opportunities of the present in order to reach the future.

When I opened this Museum 4 years ago, I personally placed in it the key documents of our statehood. One of these documents is the Declaration for International Recognition of the Republic of Macedonia as a Sovereign and Independent State. This Declaration was adopted 24 years ago. On December 19th 1991, the members of the Macedonian Parliament, regardless of their ideological, ethnic and religious background, unanimously adopted the Declaration.
Today, 24 years later, Macedonia is a recognized and respected European country, but even more than that.

Led by an exceptionally dedicated and successful economic team, in times of global economic crisis, Macedonia became an attractive business-destination.

With strenuous reforms we managed to create a favorable business climate for foreign investments. This is proven by global reports on which you have probably already been informed.

Being open to the world, we managed to build strong links and partnerships with numerous developed and growing economies both from the West and the East. Our strategic goal is NATO and EU membership, but we do not give up deepening the cooperation with all benevolent countries.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We cannot live isolated from the world which is facing serious challenges. After Paris we have a new reality in Europe that implies that neither the safest countries in the world are safe enough.

It is true that Macedonia as well went through periods of political crisis that were not easy. However, we have to bear in mind that even in such conditions, Macedonia continued to be an attractive destination for many investors, tens of thousands of foreign tourists and thousands of foreign students.

In order to see the business-opportunities provided by Macedonia, it is necessary to re-define the concept of stability. Stability does not mean an atmosphere without any political crisis, but a continuation of the rule of law and principles even during periods of political crisis. As business people you need a country that has a political will and capacity to solve the problems that you may face while doing business. And that is exactly what we continuously do.

In Macedonia you will find reliable business-partners and loyal workers. We have a relatively young, highly educated workforce that is talented and hardworking.

In Macedonia, each one of you is a desired partner, investor and employer. The doors of the state institutions are open for each one of you.
As President, I appoint all of our Ambassadors who represent Macedonia abroad. However, are there better ambassadors of Macedonia than the very people who decided to invest their capital in the country? I want you to know that for us, you are not only potential investors. You are, above all, friends of Macedonia.

Dear friends,

Some of you are businessmen of Macedonian origin. I did not mention the Declaration for international recognition by coincidence. It is a reminder that Macedonia faced difficulties during its integration in the international community. Thanks to you, the Republic of Macedonia had an open door in the cabinets of the world leaders.
My countrymen from the Diaspora often ask me what they can do for Macedonia. My answer is that they should be integrated in their second homelands as top businessmen, artists, athletes, scientists. In this way they will contribute to the success of Macedonia.

At the end, I call upon you to use the opportunities provided by our foreign-investor friendly country, and, through your success in Macedonia, to also be promoters of Macedonia.

Thank you.