President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova attended today in Ohrid, together with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye, Fatih Ulusoy, the handover of the donation to the Hydrobiological Institute – Ohrid by the Turkish Development and Cooperation Agency – TIKA.
In addition to the off-road vehicle, TIKA enabled a thorough renovation and equipping of the laboratory and auxiliary premises in the phytoplankton and zooplankton departments. This, as the President said, will overcome the chronic problems facing the Hydrobiological Institute – Ohrid. She expressed gratitude to friendly Turkiye and TIKA for the noble act of supporting science and protection of Lake Ohrid. At the same time, Siljanovska-Davkova encouraged state institutions to follow TIKA’s example.
“I expect this important support to inspire the state, since it is the most responsible, to have its share in the staffing of the 10 departments”, the President added.
For her, TIKA’s move opens up space for broader and deeper Macedonian-Turkish cooperation in other areas: in economy, in education, in culture and in tourism.
The Director of the Hydrobiological Institute – Ohrid, Orhideja Tasevska, said that TIKA’s donation is a new impetus for further dedicated and responsible scientific work.
For TIKA President, Abdullah Eren, today’s ceremony strengthens the friendly Macedonian-Turkish relations.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye, Fatih Ulusoy, said that both countries have a tradition of good relations. Stressing that Macedonians, Turks, Albanians and others live together in Ohrid, he expressed his readiness to continue contributing to the protection of the city and its natural beauties.
Below is the integral address of the President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.
Just to point out – if it says “From the heart of the Turkish people”, this support is truly “Heart breaking support” for me. And once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I do not know who is more excited today, the Director or I.
Honorable President of TIKA, Mr. Abdullah Eren,
Honorable Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye, Fatih Ulusoy,
Honorable Director,
Honorable Guests,
Honorable President of the Ohrid Council,
Honorable Honorary Consul,
It is truly a special pleasure for me to be here today.
Just three months ago, we spoke in the grandiose “St. Sophia”, celebrating 90 years since the founding of the Hydrobiological Institute, the oldest Macedonian scientific research institution. We looked back at history, at the great successes, and noted the challenges facing this important institution.
This donation once again shows and proves that science and ethics are inseparable. And I consider this move by TIKA to be an ethical move, an understanding of what science means, not only for the employees, but also for me and for them.
I am happy and expect, precisely thanks to the donation of TIKA, by the friendly Republic of Turkiye, to overcome the major problems facing the Hydrobiological Institute – Ohrid. This is a valuable donation, a valuable investment aimed at the renovation and equipment of the laboratory and auxiliary premises, as far as I was informed in both the phytoplankton department and the zooplankton department, as well as the already mentioned field vehicle.
TIKA has once again proven in action, not just in words, great support, not only to the Institute, but to the Macedonian citizens, to the Macedonian state, for which I am once again grateful.
Of course, as the President of TIKA has already said, there is still room for broader and deeper Macedonian-Turkish cooperation in many other areas, in economy, in education, in culture again, in tourism, and of course all of that will strengthen our already strong friendship.
I expect this important support to inspire the state, since it is the most responsible, to take its share in investing and staffing the 10 departments, because each of them has its own needs and priorities, in addition to the common ones!
In conclusion, I wish the Institution, the employees, good physical and spiritual health, necessary for great educational and scientific successes.
I wish TIKA to continue its humane and noble mission, and I wish everyone clean lakes, a clean lake with healthy flora and fauna! The lake is older than us, we inherited the lake and we should leave it to future generations.
Thank you.
