President Ivanov decorated Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar with the Order “September 8” for his efforts in promotion of dialogue among civilizations and religions, as well as for the outstanding contribution and commitment to development and improvement of the relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Macedonia.

 
Your Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a real honor for me to welcome you today in the Republic of Macedonia and to assure you that my country highly appreciates and values the efforts the State of Qatar, under your wise and visionary leadership, has been making in view of peace, tolerance, cooperation and dialogue in the world, both individually and within the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. I would like to acknowledge that the Republic of Macedonia supports you in these shared visions.

Your Highness,

I believe that our support to the State of Qatar is best demonstrated in the successful following of your example by organizing summits and international conferences dedicated to nurturing and promotion of dialogue among civilizations and religions. We are grateful for the significant support for the Summit Dialogue among Civilizations held in Ohrid, 2003, under the leadership of the great visionary, my predecessor, President Boris Trajkovski. What was initiated then continues today through joint promotion of world peace.

I am confident that with our joint efforts we will give new momentum to the cooperation between our two friendly countries, and that our friendship based on common visions will be further developed and promoted. With such an assurance, I have this distinct honor and pleasure to award you, Your Highness, with the Order "September 8" as a token of our symbolic, yet sincere recognition for everything you do in this regard.

Thank you.