The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Mr. Andrew Page, Director of the Western Balkans Directorate at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom.

The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries, the developments in Europe and the European Union, the current political situation in the Republic of Macedonia and the situation in the region.

President Ivanov reaffirmed the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia in relation to the European and Euro-Atlantic integrations and expressed expectation that despite Brexit, the bilateral support from the United Kingdom for the Republic of Macedonia will continue.

- I believe that the real place of the Republic of Macedonia is in the European Union and in the NATO Alliance. I will continue to support our strategic goals. The European Union and NATO should in no way be an alibi for a bad agreement, President Ivanov said at the meeting.

The Macedonian President reaffirmed the interest for further intensification of the political dialogue with the United Kingdom and the expansion of the areas of cooperation.

Regarding the current regional developments, the need to support the efforts of the Western Balkan countries in building a prosperous, safe and stable neighborhood was emphasized. Maintaining the peace and stability of the region is crucial for the entire European continent, President Ivanov said at the meeting.