Skopje is hosting Wednesday and Thursday the third annual conference of expatriate organisations. The conference, attended by representatives of expatriate organisations from Europe, Australia, North and South America, was opened on Wednesday by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

"Such gatherings and manifestations have an added value representing a strong incentive to remain united, resistant, strong and persistent before challenges facing nowadays, to support and promote our tradition and our Macedonian identity and Macedonian language," PM Gruevski said adding that it was in government's interest to preserve and improve the ties and cooperation with the diaspora.

He saluted the expatriates who through various activities have worked on preserving the ties with their homeland, promoting the national and cultural identity of Macedonians worldwide as well as promoting Macedonia's state interests. At the same time, he urged them to continue doing so, especially "now when Macedonia is fighting for its place in developed European democracies and market economies."

According to the PM, these events were a proof of the tight and unbreakable bond between Macedonian expatriates and their roots in Macedonia and a confirmation that contacts and cooperation with the Macedonian diaspora could be maintained and developed.

"The Macedonian diaspora is an important and indivisible part of every country. Your perseverance in nourishing, developing and affirming the Macedonian national, cultural, language and spiritual identity has been acknowledged on many occasions through your activities in numerous associations, church municipalities, cultural societies, humanitarian organisations, sports clubs, etc. More than anything, they are a witness that the awareness for Macedonian roots hasn't been forgotten at all, on the contrary that it is widely spread all over the globe where Macedonians have settled," PM Gruevski noted.

According to him, in a time when the Macedonian issue hasn't been closed yet, when there are forces "still hoping to manage to break up the feeling of the Macedonian people", the support of the Macedonian diaspora is of great importance.

Pointing out the reforms implemented by the government to improve the business climate and to attract foreign investments, PM Gruevski said the cooperation and attempts made by the Macedonian diaspora to attract investments was of major significance. "The Macedonian diaspora plays a key role in combining two global priorities of Macedonia's economy - attracting foreign investments and exporting Macedonian products."

The conference by bringing together 140 expatriate organisations is the biggest gathering of the Macedonian diaspora.

"The event aims at improving the ties between Macedonia and the expatriates. The massive turnout shows that they have recognised the government's policies related to the diaspora," said Vasil Naumov, the director of the Agency of Emigration.

Debates on Macedonian language, ways to preserve culture, citizenship and a mini business forum will take place at the conference organised by the Agency of Emigration.