The President of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, received Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Jarwan, the UAE President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP), at the Presidential Palace in Skopje on Friday.

Al-Jarwan explained to the President of Macedonia about the objectives, principles, mechanisms and programmes of the Council.

The Macedonian President praised the Council's goals, initiatives and human and moral values which it seeks to instil among the youth on an international level. He also expressed his readiness to support the Council and co-operate with it in achieving its programmes and strategies in introducing a culture of dialogue, openness and tolerance in the face of terrorism and extremism.

Al-Jarwan thanked President Ivanov for his encouragement and support of the Council's goals in the interest of world peace and presented him with the Council’s shield.

Later, Talat Xhaferi, Speaker of Macedonia’s Parliament, welcomed a delegation of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, led by Al-Jarwan.

At the meeting, Al-Jarwan gave a presentation about the organisation, its founders and goals, and invited Macedonia's supreme legislative body to join the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, which will be launched in February.

Macedonia is an example of a multi-ethnic society that nourishes the principles of peace, tolerance and mutual respect, Xhaferi said, adding that the Parliament would consider the GCTP invitation with utmost attention.