MACEDONIAN AMBASSADOR PAYS A FAREWELL VISIT TO IFIMES

LJUBLJANA, 30 June 2010 - Director of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Zijad Bećirović today, in a farewell visit, received the Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of Slovenia Samoil Josif Filipovski.

IFIMES Director Bećirović commended Ambassador Filipovski as one of the most active ambassadors of the diplomatic corps of the Republic of Slovenia for having contributed significantly to the development and strengthening of bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Slovenia during his term of office and for showing an interest in the activities of the civil society.

Mr. Bećirović expressed his hopes for a soon resolution of the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia and commencement of accession negotiations between Macedonia and the EU, with a view to gaining full membership in NATO and EU as soon as possible.

The IFIMES International Institute presented Ambassador Filipovski with a special award for excellent cooperation with the Institute and invited him to continue cooperation with the Institute in the future as member of the Advisory Committee. Ambassador Filipovski received the invitation with pleasure.

Ljubljana, 30 June 2010