President Gjorge Ivanov is the recipient of this year's international award "Isa-Beg Isakovic", which BosniaHerzegovina presents to European statesman, MIA reports.
"I receive this award as recognition for the Republic of Macedonia and its citizens. This acknowledgment is significant because it is dedicated to a great visionary, who left behind material and spiritual bridges of peace, coexistence and cooperation", said Ivanov at the ceremony held at Sarajevo National Theatre late on Sunday.
He said that the contemporaries of Isa-Beg Isakovic are the individuals and organizations involved in the Balkans' promotion as part of Europe.
"This task primarily belongs to the Balkan leaders, who share responsibility in the region, to which we owe our identity, culture and uniqueness", added Ivanov.
According to him, this shared responsibility is comprised of the link established by past visionaries.
"Let's remain faithful to their building spirit. Let's invest in modern roads, buildings and markets, road and railway infrastructure, trade exchange and economic cooperation. Let's build mutual trust through dialogue", emphasized President Ivanov.
He said the region had the resources, tradition, creative people, but also required responsible leadership.
"Our region needs more responsible leaders who will overcome the narrow ethnic, religious and ideological framework, building and reforming our region through dialogue, reconciliation and trust", underlined Ivanov.
The awarding committee said Ivanov is recognized for his sincere support to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Euro-Atlantic integration process, his policy of peace in the region, but also due to the strong cultural ties between the two countries.
Ivanov received the award after getting majority of votes, ahead of former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmeti Davutoglu and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
The ceremony was accompanied by a concert of the Macedonian Philharmonic. The award bears the name of Ottoman general Isa-Beg Isakovic, who in 1462 founded Sarajevo upon the principles of equality, multiculturalism and multi-religion.
Former laureates include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Croatian President Kolinda GrabarKitarovic.