The Memorial House of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, whose father came from Kodzadzik, opened in the village on Monday.

President Gjorge Ivanov said Macedonia is proud to be called the native country of Ataturk's father.

"We remain consistent with the traditionally excellent cooperation with friendly Turkey. I believe Turks in Macedonia, as well as the thousands of emigrants of Macedonian descent in Turkey will continue to be our ambassadors of friendship and cooperation between the two nations", said Ivanov.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska highlighted the significance of the memorial house in promoting the ideas of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey.

"The Memorial House is a strong argument in the promotion of understanding through culture. The facility includes a memorial house and the family home of the Ataturk family. It is a proof of the permanent friendship between Macedonia and Turkey", added Kanceska-Milevska.

Macedonian and Turkish Vice Premiers, Vladimir Pesevski and Emrullah Isler respectively, also addressed the event, stressing the enormous friendship between the two nations and states.

The memorial house was constructed by the Ministry of Culture and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency – TIKA.

According to Macedonian and Turkish historians and archaeologists, Ataturk's family had lived in Kodzadzik in the second half of the 19. century. By the end of the century, Ataturk's father Ali Riza emigrated to Thessaloniki and married Zubeyde Hanım. Kemal Mustafa was born there and later enrolled at the Bitola Military High School.