Branko Crvenkovski, president of Macedonia and supreme commander of the armed forces, spent Christmas with the Macedonian troops in Iraq, in the military base in Taji, where he had Christmas lunch with the Macedonian troops.

"On Christmas I had a chance to talk with the Macedonian troops, to socialize with them, and to hear their assessments and the problems that they are facing. But I also conveyed to them all the greetings from Macedonia and our desire that they return to Macedonia and their families alive and well," Crvenkovski said. In the military command of Baghdad Crvenkovski heard only praise about the Macedonian troops' successful participation in the peace mission. The military commander stressed that these troops are professionals who have high military capabilities and human qualities.

President Crvenkovski also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, whom he asked for bigger participation of Macedonian construction firms in the reconstruction of Iraq.