The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in New York, attended the reception hosted by the US President Barack Obama for the participants of the 71st UN General Assembly.

The short informal conversation between the Macedonian and US President reaffirmed the US support for Macedonia's strategic goals, membership in NATO and the EU.

At the receptions for heads of delegations participating in the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations hosted by the US President Obama and the Secretary General of United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, President Ivanov held informal meetings with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, the Bulgarian President Plevneliev, the Czech President Zeman, the Chairman of the Bosnian Presidency Izetbegovic, the OSCE Secretary General, Roberto Zannier, the President of the 71st UN General Assembly, Peter Thompson. The meetings discussed the current situation in the Republic of Macedonia, the region of Southeast Europe in terms of integration, as well as the migrant and refugee crisis and the security challenges.

Earlier, President Ivanov held several bilateral meetings, including the meetings with the presidents of the European Council, Poland, Egypt, the Jordanian King and the Norwegian prime minister.

At the meeting with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, President Ivanov said that despite the challenges facing the Union and the enlargement process, the Republic of Macedonia and the entire region of South East Europe need accelerated integration into the European Union, because, as assessed by the Macedonian President, it is the best way to fully consolidate the region, which in turn will consolidate the European Union.

In this context, President Ivanov said at the meeting with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, that it is high time to overcome the status quo with regard to the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union and NATO membership as an important prerequisite for lasting stability in the region.

Within the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations, President Ivanov attended and addressed the high-level meeting on refugees and migrants. In his speech, President Ivanov said that Macedonia in terms of the refugee and migrant crisis will take necessary measures to ensure protection of national security and asked the European Union for help so that Macedonia can help the Union.

President Ivanov late tonight is expected to address the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations, and meet the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

President Ivanov's visit to the US on the occasion of the participation at the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations began with a visit of the Macedonian community in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in New York, during the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations, met with the President of Egypt, Mr. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the current situation with the migrant crisis, and the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization and agreed that it is necessary to deepen the cooperation between the security services of both countries in order to meet the challenges.

In this context, President Ivanov stressed the support in the fight against terrorism which the Republic of Macedonia received from Egypt in various occasions, which, with its positive role, significantly contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the region of North Africa.

"Egypt, with his determined fight against terrorism, is a success story and guarantor of stability in the region of North Africa. The Republic of Macedonia is an active partner in the anti-terrorist coalition, while the mutual cooperation with Egypt through the security services, I believe will contribute to the international community to successfully deal with global challenges", President Ivanov said.

The two presidents discussed the opportunities for improvement of the overall bilateral relations, in particular to intensify the economic and trade cooperation by exploiting common potential and resources that will ensure a favorable business climate and investment opportunities.

The Egyptian President al-Sisi expressed satisfaction with the current cooperation in several areas of mutual interest and expressed confidence that the ongoing initiatives for bilateral projects will continue to develop with even greater intensity in the coming period.

The Macedonian President noted that with this year's first official visit to Egypt, the two countries opened a new page in their friendly relations which will bring benefit for the citizens of both countries if further fostered and developed.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, within his participation at the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York, met with the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Andrzej Duda.

The meeting confirmed the excellent bilateral relations and cooperation in many areas. Exchange of visits at the highest level in the future is agreed, which will contribute to the further deepening of the bilateral cooperation, especially in the sphere of economy and defence.

The two presidents exchanged views on the regional developments, especially in the context of the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective. The Macedonian President said that it is high time to overcome the status quo with regard to the opening of the accession negotiations with the European Union and the membership in NATO as an important prerequisite for lasting stability in the region.

- I expect Poland, as our proven friend, to continue to support our commitments and efforts for integration into the European Union and NATO, President Ivanov said at a meeting with the Polish President Duda.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on the migrant and refugee crisis. President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia is determined to contribute to overcoming it, to act in concert with the other countries, not undermining its own national security.

The President of the Republic of Macedonian Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in New York, met with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Tusk discussed the situation with the European integration of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as the challenges arising from the migrant and refugee crisis, especially the security aspect.

The Macedonian President emphasized that the Republic of Macedonia will continue the reform process in order to meet the European standards and criteria and will continue to contribute to the regional cooperation in maintaining the stability and prosperity of the region of Southeast Europe.
The Republic of Macedonia, President Ivanov said, requires equal and fair treatment from the European leadership and from all member states of the European Union and expects the positive example of parallel movement in the integration and overcoming of the outstanding bilateral issue to be applied.

"Despite the challenges facing the Union and the enlargement process, the Republic of Macedonia and the entire region of South East Europe need accelerated integration into the European Union, because it is the best way to fully consolidate the region, which in turn will consolidate the European Union", President Ivanov said.

In the context of the challenges associated with the migrant and refugee crisis, President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia is committed to a universal European solution, which will include common criteria for dealing with the migrant crisis. In this context, the interlocutors concluded that an urgent coordinated and synchronized action of all countries concerned is needed.

The Macedonian President said that the Republic of Macedonia takes all measures and activities for protection of state borders and preservation of national security, taking into account the obligation of humane treatment of refugees.