The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who is paying a working visit to the Republic of Croatia at an invitation of President Josipovic, held a bilateral meeting with his host today.

The talks focused on the possibilities to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, on the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia and the challenges in the regional cooperation.

Both interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the high level of political, economic and cultural relations in the past twenty years and readiness for their enhancement, promotion and close cooperation in the future.

In the context of meeting the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia, President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the open support at the NATO Summit in Chicago, and stressed that the support of the Republic of Croatia for setting a date and start of accession negotiations for membership in the European Union is essential. In that regard, President Ivanov urged the Republic of Croatia to advocate for implementation of good practices in resolving the Croatia-Slovenia dispute - parallel movement in the integration and settlement of the bilateral issues.

President Josipovic said that the Republic of Croatia will continue to support the Republic of Macedonia in its Euro-Atlantic integration, adding that bilateral issues should not affect the individual path of any country to the European Union.

Both presidents stressed the importance of regional cooperation for promotion of overall relations in the region. In this context, they discussed the possibilities of connecting the Adriatic-Ionian Highway with the Corridor 10, as one of the vital infrastructure projects for all countries in the region, as well as the political and economic support from the European Union in this field.

The two presidents shared the opinion that the relations between the two countries are excellent, and that there is room for strengthening the cooperation in the field of economy, mainly through infrastructural connectivity and increased trade exchange.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Ohrid held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Philip Reeker, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.

President Ivanov expressed his appreciation to Reeker for the accepted invitation to be one of the lecturers at this year’s School for Young Leaders and noted that the Republic of Macedonia is proud of the partnership and friendship that has been continuously developed with the United States.

The talks focused on the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia, membership in NATO and the European Union as the highest priority, as well as the possibility of unblocking the integration processes.

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State thanked for the opportunity to exchange views and information on the strategic objectives of the Republic of Macedonia, on the current reform processes and in particular the latest developments in the region of Southeast Europe.

President Ivanov informed the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State on the role of the Republic of Macedonia in terms of the regional cooperation and regional initiatives. They both agreed that there is no viable alternative for the region, for the Republic of Macedonia, but full integration into the European Union and NATO.

Reeker congratulated President Ivanov on his leadership, both in the Republic of Macedonia, and in regional terms.

The meeting confirmed the partnership relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the United States, as well as the readiness to further intensify the cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

On my behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, let me extend my congratulations to you, to the Riyaset of the Muslim community and to all members of the Islam religion in the Republic of Macedonia, one of the holiest Islamic holidays, Ramadan Bayram. I wishing you spend the holiday in the spirit and in the tradition of your faith, filled with happiness and joy.

Congratulating you the great religious holiday Ramadan Bayram, the holiday of sublimity, prayer, love, humanity, perseverance and dedication, I would like to emphasize the contribution of the Islamic religious community in building cooperation between all religious communities in the Republic of Macedonia. I am confident that our shared aspiration is prosperous future and well-being of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as strengthening mutual respect and coexistence, as pivotal values of our society.

I sincerely wish this great holiday to bring all believers peace in their souls, boon in their families, happiness in the community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

The President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary since the establishment of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, received today the key personnel and female members of the Army of Republic of Macedonia serving in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the ALTHEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Together with them and accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Major General Goranco Koteski, the President, via video-conference, congratulated the great anniversary to the members of the Army who currently serve in Kabul and Sarajevo, wishing them success in their military career and in meeting their tasks.

“I am especially proud to be commander in chief of the Army participating in the toughest missions and tasks, constantly making significant successes. The Macedonian Army is the pillar of our independence and sovereignty, and it is exactly you who serve in international peacekeeping missions that are the greatest ambassadors of the Republic of Macedonia, who confirm the commitment of our country to the ideals of peace and democracy”, President Ivanov said in his talks with the ARM members.

Macedonian peacekeepers in Kabul and Sarajevo said that for them is a great pleasure and honor to hear personally the President and Supreme Commander on this occasion, and used the occasion to send congratulations to all colleagues working in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

The female members of ARM extended their gratitude to the President for the warm wishes, and for his kept promise of March 8 to organize a meeting after the end of their engagement in Afghanistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina in July this year, upon their return home. They stressed that for them is a great honor, on the eve of the celebration of this significant anniversary - 20 years since the establishment of the Macedonian Army, to have the opportunity to meet President Ivanov.

Respected family Xhaferi,

With great regret I received the news of the death of your husband, father and brother Arben Xhaferi and I deeply lament your irreparable loss.

Arben Xhaferi, in these two decades of his political activity as party president and member of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, made a significant contribution to the coexistence between the ethnic communities and to the development of the democratic processes in the Republic of Macedonia.

In these moments of great sadness in your family, let me extend my sincere condolences and encourage you in bearing this heavy loss.

Please accept, once again, my deepest condolences.

Dr. Gjorge Ivanov

Regarding the last event in Slupcane, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, after receiving relevant information from the competent authorities, assessed that institutional rules and procedures were not respected.

Uniformed personnel accompanying the Minister of Defence are not members of the formational composition of the Army of Republic of Macedonia, but members of the Minister’s Cabinet.

President Ivanov asked the relevant institutions to resolve the case and to determine whether there was abuse of office.

The President of the Republic urged all stakeholders not abuse the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the use of military uniform for political, party, or any other purposes.