Macedonia | Independence Day

Embassy Network | 22nd March 2017

Ambassador Jovan Donev toasts 25 years of independence

The Ambassador with staff at the Embassy of Macedonia

The Ambassador of Laos Mr Sayakane Sisouvong is welcomed by Ambassador Donev

Shpend Sadiku greets the Deputy Head of Mission for Germany Mrs Tania Freiin von Uslar-Gleichen

The Slovak Ambassador Dr L’ubomír Rehák congratulates Ambassador Donev

Ambassador Donev greets the Ambassador of Kosovo Mr Lirim Greiçevci

Bulgarian Ambassador Konstantin Dimitrov is greeted by departing Deputy Ambassador Mrs Bilĵana Gligorova

The Ambassador of Montenegro Mr Borislav Banović congratulates Ambassador Donev

Ambassador Donev welcomes the Lithuanian Ambassador Mrs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė

Ambassador Donev greets the Ambassador of Croatia Dr Ivan Grdešić

The Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina Mr Branko Neskovic congratulates Ambassador Donev

Macedonia’s Silver Lining

Diplomats and friends of Macedonia joined Ambassador Jovan Donev to toast the country’s Silver Jubilee with a glass of fine wine from the Balkan country.

In his Independence Day address, the Ambassador reflected on the major challenges that the country had overcome in its 25 years of independence, avoiding – with the help of EU and UN partners – ethnic conflicts to become multicultural society, and moving from a state-run economy to a market economy.

Although his country “faces challenges”, he said, Macedonia it is at peace with its neighbours, its defence force meets Nato criteria and it aspires to join the EU. And while the Brexit decision has left Macedonia without one of its “strongest allies”, he stressed that this did not mean it has lost one of its “oldest friends”.

PHOTOS: PIERRE DE VILLIERS