Jinping-Ivanov: China prepared to give Macedonia a hand

People's Republic of China and the Republic of Macedonia have achieved the highest level of bilateral relations, agreed countries' Presidents Xi Jinping and Gjorge Ivanov on Tuesday, MIA reports from Beijing.

"Our political relations have intensified over the past two decades, which is seen by the high-level meetings, progress and mutual cooperation in diverse areas. China is prepared to give Macedonia a hand towards accelerated development of bilateral relations", said Chinese President Jinping at the meeting.

He announced cooperation with Macedonia in construction and infrastructure projects, agriculture and other sectors - education, culture, Chinese traditional medicine - thus stimulating swift development of bilateral relations.

President Ivanov also stressed that bilateral relations have reached the highest level thus far.

Interlocutors referred to the cooperation established over the past 20 years of diplomatic ties, multilateral support in global terms, bilateral support in international organizations, economic cooperation etc.

"We agreed that political cooperation has intensified to the highest level through meetings between Presidents, PMs, Parliament Speakers", said Ivanov.

Pertaining to economic cooperation, the presidents stressed it has intensified over the years, resulting in the lowering of the trade deficit.

"We showed interest for increased presence of Macedonian products at the Chinese market. In this context, we mentioned the initiative put forward by the Chinese PM over the opening of a free zone for Chinese companies in Macedonia", added Ivanov.

He also referred to the US$10 billion pool that China has allocated for infrastructure projects in Central nd Eastern Europe.

"Macedonia is the first country to finalize its project. Following an approval by the Parliament, Macedonia will be able to use the funds for the construction of motorways Miladinovci-Stip and Ohrid-Kicevo", said Ivanov.

Interlocutors also tackled the initiative over the use of Chinese traditional medicine in Macedonia's health system.

On Wednesday, President Ivanov will attend the opening of the 14. Western China International Fair in Chengdu, where he is set to deliver an address titled "Balanced Development and Common Prosperity".

IVANOV WITH STRONG MESSAGE TO EU

The Macedonian president launched a scathing attack against the European Union condemning it for double standards. "We will not cave under any pressure to change our name or identity just to be a part of the European Union. We've lived this (hi)story many times before, not again. Whatever the outcome of the talks in Brussels, Macedonia will stay right here.
We have a European perspective that will be achieved together, with the support of all ethnic and religious communities, all parties and all citizens of Macedonia", Ivanov emphasized. In the presence of foreign ambassadors in the country, he said that Europe unfortunately still has leaders who allow to be carried away by someone's petty interests and hidden agenda. "Any violations of EU's principles today, tomorrow will bring new violations, new disorders, dozens of new blockades.
Who knows what will be asked of us tomorrow!? Macedonia gets a hesitant response, we receive requests and rules which apply only to us and change from day to day, we let obstructions and pressures from petty interests decide outcomes.
We see the absence of vision at the EU. We hear of integration announcements first for 2012, then 2014, 2015. How we can achieve those terms? With obstacles and obstructions", asked Ivanov.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrko1Dshocw

President Ivanov visiting Turkey

Citizens of Macedonia will never forget the consistent and constructive support, as well as Turkey's solidarity since the first days of Macedonia's independence. The use of Macedonia's constitutional name, support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity, strong support to the country's NATO integration can be expected only from sincere friends, said President Gjorge Ivanov after Friday's meeting with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, MIA reports from Ankara.
President Ivanov stressed that his first official visit to Turkey is exceptionally significant, representing an expression of strong friendship between the two nations, but also contribution to the further successful development of mutual relations.
"I believe that relations and cooperation with the Republic of Turkey, which are characterized by the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, trust and support, are issues of highest state interest for Macedonia", stated Ivanov.
He once again voiced satisfaction from the fair evaluation of Macedonia's progress in the recently published EC Progress Report. "The commitment and achieved results should be acknowledged through an appropriate decision by the EU Council.
The beginning of EU accession talks would represent a clear and positive signal for our country, but also for the region. I am convinced that the Republic of Macedonia has the political, administrative and institutional capacity to start EU accession talks", emphasized President Ivanov. "Turkey will resume to defend Macedonia's interests and positions in NATO, for the purpose of Balkan and European stability. This is possible only when the entire region is united under the umbrella of the European Union and NATO", said Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
He stressed the significance of bilateral relations, voicing the need for further enhancement of economic and commercial relations through encouragement of Turkish businessmen to invest in Macedonia, as well as strengthening of ties in the culture and education sectors.
Earlier, President Ivanov laid flowers at the mausoleum of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. President Ivanov is scheduled to meet later today with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, followed by a lecture at TOBB-ETU University, where he will be proclaimed an honorary PhD.

President Ivanov at 64th UN General Assembly

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov will take part from today through September 26 at the 64th UN General Assembly in New York. Ivanov will address the general debate (Sept. 25) of the UN General Assembly and will participate at other forums and will hold series of bilateral meetings, media reports.
Ivanov will meet with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Dutch PM Jan Peter Balkenende. He is also scheduled to meet with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Upon an invitation of former US President Bill Clinton, Ivanov will participate at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). Ivanov in New York will hold consultations with UN mediator Matthew Nimetz.
Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis is to meet with Nimetz, however her arrival at the General Assembly is uncertain due to health reasons. So far there are no announcements for direct meeting between Macedonian and Greek delegation.
The UN general debate will be held on 23-26 and 28-30 September 2009 at the Headquarters, gathering heads of state and government and foreign ministers of 192 UN member states. Hot topics will include climate change, nuclear disarmament, development, global financial and economic governance as well as international peace and security.
Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policy making and representative organ of the United Nations.