Distinguished Deputy Minister of Education and Science,
Respected Representatives of City College,
Dear Scholarship Recipients,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

25 years ago, the Republic of Macedonia declared independence. But, in international relations, the independence of a state actually means interdependence and interconnectedness with other states on an equal basis. In the past quarter century, we managed to build such relations with many friendly countries in the world, near and far. An exception to this rule is only one country, with which we share the largest river and the longest border, and therefore the greatest spatial connectivity and interdependence, and that country is the Hellenic Republic.

Our two neighboring countries have one outstanding issue, but thousands of common interests. Hence, the most important common interest is to deepen the friendship between the Macedonian and the Greek society.

This year, the institutions of the Republic of Macedonia and of the Hellenic Republic started implementing confidence-building measures. As president, I am actively involved in this process. However, I may notice that some of the institutions of our countries actually lag behind our societies and businessmen who began the dialogue long ago and have thus already built confidence.

Expression of this confidence is the awarding of the scholarships in cooperation with the City College in Thessaloniki, the scholarships which, not by accident, are named after our great peacemaker, President Boris Trajkovski.

There is no more cost-effective investment than quality education aimed at building leaders for the present and the future. The Republic of Macedonia needs leaders in the field of business administration, management, marketing and finance.

Many have signed up to the competition. But few were chosen. You are the best of the best. We invest in you with a firm conviction that you will be good entrepreneurs and managers, with a successful career, but also with responsibility to the society. Your future success will be the success of the Republic of Macedonia.

Esteemed scholarship recipients,

By coincidence, today is the birthday of Confucius. In his Analects, he says: "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." In the coming period, the path of your education and personal excellence will lead you in Thessaloniki. As President and university professor, I wish you much success on this path. In the meantime, however, I remind you not to forget that "education of the mind without education of the heart is not a real education", as Aristotle says. In the future, you will be the picture of the Macedonian society in the neighboring Greece. You belong to the generation that will build new relations between the two societies, economies and countries.

Therefore, gain new knowledge but also new friends, new skills and new opportunities for building trust among our two neighboring countries.

Thank you.