Skopje-based Ss. Cyril and Methodious University presented Tuesday top recognitions (plaques) to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the president of the Chinese Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE), Zongyi Zhang for their vital achievements and contribution to the field of education, science and culture and for affirming the Skopje University at home and abroad.

The plaques were presented on the opening of the Chinese Confucius Institute within the Skopje University for which negotiations were held in the past two years between the institutions, backed by the countries' governments.

The agreement establishing the Confucius Institute, which is set to be opened later in the day, was signed by Skopje University rector Velimir Stojkovski and the president of the Chengdu-based University, Zongyi Zhang.

Welcoming the institute's inauguration, PM Gruevski in his speech said that Macedonia and China for 20 years had been developing their relations in the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding respect stressing that education was an important segment contributing to enhancing the countries' relations.

"It is my great pleasure to attend the opening of the Confucius Institute aimed at promoting and supporting the learning of Chinese language and culture, introduction of Chinese language classes in educational institutions and strengthening the cooperation between the people of Macedonia and China. Today's event is an example of how efforts can be made to pave the way toward further development of our education and Macedonia in general," noted Gruevski.

Presenting the plaques to Gruevski and Zhang, Rector Velimir Stojkovski said today's event was a ceremonial conclusion of two-year negotiations between Macedonia and China coinciding with the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries.