The goal of the Republic of Macedonia is membership in NATO and the European Union, we are part of the European economic area, but we need a European infrastructure. For that purpose, Macedonia has decided to build an important part of the European Corridor 8 with favorable Chinese loans, said the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in his address at the 6th Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan, speaking on the topic: How to understand China's foreign policy?

In this context, the Macedonian President noted that the infrastructure projects within the "One Belt, One Road" will enable the Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe countries to be closely interconnected, which will increase the competitiveness of the economies of the region for foreign investment.
President Ivanov added that Macedonia believes that this initiative of China contributes to peace, prosperity, openness, innovation and connection between civilizations.

"We decided, with favorable Chinese loans from the 16 + 1 initiative, to build a part of the European Corridor 8, which connects the Adriatic Sea with the Black Sea. We are part of the initiative for the fast track from Budapest to Belgrade that is expected to go through the Republic of Macedonia to the port of Piraeus. We are also committed to renewing the project for connecting the Vardar-Morava-Danube Rivers with the Aegean Sea", the Macedonian President said in his address.

The "One Belt, One Road" initiative includes construction of several economic corridors that will cover two-thirds of the world's population and one-third of the world's GDP.

"The initiative aims to develop new markets for Chinese products, boost economic growth, create jobs and allow less developed Chinese regions to profit from infrastructure development and increased trade. In fact, the goal of both the old and the new Silk Road is trade, not projecting influence", the Macedonian President said.

In addition to the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, through which China is trying to overcome the economic challenges, President Ivanov also referred in his speech to China's capital investment in the development of artificial intelligence.
Several current and former presidents, prime ministers and ministers, as well as a number of distinguished personalities from the social and political life, university professors and representatives of the Youth Leaders Program are taking part in the Global Forum in Baku.

President Ivanov previously held bilateral meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Moldovan President Igor Dodon and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.