The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on the current political situation in the Republic of Macedonia, the European integration process, as well as the key challenges that the region and the European Union are facing.

President Ivanov welcomed the renewed recommendation of the European Commission for opening accession negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia, noting that the unblocking of the integration processes by determining the date for the start of accession negotiations will positively influence the reform processes and the overall socio-political situation in the Republic of Macedonia.
The two interlocutors concluded that the consistent and common contribution in the implementation of the reform processes by all stakeholders in the country will contribute to the European future of the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov said that the positive recommendation for opening accession negotiations for the Republic of Macedonia and for the Republic of Albania has encouraging impact on the credibility of the EU and the perspective of the entire region.

Taking into account the positive rhetoric by the leaders of the countries of the region for the progress of each of the other Western Balkan countries, Ms. Mogherini said that for the first time the enlargement process focuses on the original idea of the European Union, and that is peace.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and the High Representative of the European Union, Ms. Mogherini, exchanged views on the ongoing talks on the name issue.