By Boban Jovanovski
On October 8, 2008, Macedonia’s first Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Ljubica Acevska and her husband, Dr. Joseph Novello, hosted around fifty individuals for a reception in support of UMD. In her remarks, Ambassador Acevska welcomed UMD’s Board Directors, members and supporters and praised them for their dedicated volunteerism in support of the Macedonian cause. She commended UMD for advancing the interests of Macedonians throughout the world and UMD’s work to deepen U.S.-Macedonian relations.
UMD President Metodija A. Koloski praised Ambassador Acevska for the work she did in starting and solidifying U.S., IMF, World Bank, and United Nations relations with Macedonia. “Her role in the first years of Macedonia’s independence was crucial for the Republic of Macedonia,” noted Koloski, adding, “Ambassador Acevska will always remain dear to UMD and the hearts of millions of Macedonians throughout the world.”
Following Koloski’s remarks, Guler Koknar, the Vice President of the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) briefly discussed Turkey-Macedonia relations and the reasons TCA approved a challenge-matching grant totaling $150,000 over the course of the next year. She expressed gratitude for the friendship between Turks and Macedonians and hopes that with this grant, the relations amongst Turkish-Americans and Macedonian-Americans will only strengthen.
Guests included former Macedonian Ambassador to Albania and advisor to Presidents Gligorov and Trajkovski, Eleonora Karanfilovska Ratcliff and her husband Craig; President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Gunay Evinch; Executive Director of the Bosniak American Advisory Council for Bosnia & Herzegovina, Elmina Kulasic; Jeanne Whitney Smith, President of Friends of Macedonia; Robert Netkovski, Founder and Managing Director of Babylon Software Solution; Stephanie and Vladimir Atseff, and UMD Board Members Boban Jovanovski and Denis Manevski.
Guests enjoyed wonderful Macedonian wine courtesy of Macedonian-American Slavco Madzarov, and Macedonian and American delicacies courtesy of Ambassador Acevska and Dr. Novello. UMD is organizing similar receptions throughout North America in the coming months as they serve as a great networking opportunity, especially for Macedonian students and young professionals, while also providing UMD valuable exposure to policymakers, potential investors, and the interested public. If you would like to host such a UMD Reception in your community, please contact UMD’s Headquarters.
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