The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Mr. Matthew Palmer, deputy assistant secretary of the State Department of the United States of America.

The Macedonian President expressed his expectation that the US will continue to support the foreign policy goals and priorities of the Republic of Macedonia - integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures, NATO and the EU, good neighborly relations and regional cooperation.

"The Republic of Macedonia remains fully committed to meeting the political criteria for membership in NATO and the European Union. Integration processes are key to the stability and well-being of the country and are in the interests of the entire region", the Macedonian President said.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on the current situation in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as on the current developments in the talks aimed at overcoming the name dispute.

President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia will continue to participate constructively in the talks, but the process must remain in the framework established by the United Nations. At the meeting with Mr. Palmer, President Ivanov stressed once again the need to respect the obligations of the Constitution and the laws and to inform on the course of the talks and indicated that he expects to receive an answer on the request for the delivery of the package for resolving the dispute and the notes of the parallel talks between the foreign ministers and prime ministers of both countries.

The two interlocutors agreed on further strengthening, enrichment and promotion of the strategic partnership between the Republic of Macedonia and the United States.