The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who is paying a working visit to the Republic of Austria, today, had a meeting with his Austrian counterpart, President Heinz Fischer.

The discussions between the Presidents of Macedonia and Austria in Vienna were focused on issues of common interest, the possibilities to increase Austrian investment in Macedonia, as well as the issue of highest priority for the Republic of Macedonia – its European integration.

“We discussed about the relations between Macedonia and Austria, we tackled the issue of how to increase the interest of the Austrian businessmen to invest in Macedonia. We talked about the latest developments in the region, about issues of common interest, as well as the issue which causes greatest difficulty for us,  the issue of our European integrations and the positive examples in the region which can be applied in our case as well”, President Ivanov said after the meeting.

The Presidents discussed about the new ambience in the Western Balkans, with Croatia as a new European Union member state and the candidate status of Serbia.

“Macedonia due to the imposed problem with our name by Greece is in status quo. We are always supported by President Fischer in terms of our EU perspective and we are grateful for that”, President Ivanov said.

Fischer, the Austrian President, one of the most ardent supporters of the EU enlargement process, referred in this occasion to the problem that Greece has with our constitutional name as an obstacle in bringing decisions important for the wider European family.

"I will frankly say that we have discussed about an issue that has been bothering Europe for many years, i.e. the name issue. No one but Macedonia and Greece can resolve this issue, but there is great interest this issue to be resolved in a correct manner by finding a fair solution, as the dispute presents an obstacle for important decisions in Europe", President Fischer said.

The Austrian President informed President Ivanov on his talks with the Croatian President, Ivo Josipovic, the day before on the latest developments in the Western Balkans.

Austrian President Fischer also said that he accepts with pleasure the invitation of President Ivanov to pay official visit to the Republic of Macedonia next year.

The working visit of President Ivanov to Austria is due to continue in Salzburg, where tomorrow, at a ceremony, he will be inaugurated in a Protector of the European Academy of Arts and Sciences (EASA). With this honorary title, President Ivanov will join the group of patrons of the prestigious academic institutions, among the Presidents of Austria, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece and the Swiss Confederation - Heinz Fischer, Vladimir Putin, Ivan Gasparovic, Danilo Tirk, Karolos Papoulias, Doris Leuthart, as well the sovereigns of Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg. Honorary senators of this academy are a large number of incumbent and former heads of state and government and other senior officials and public figures.