Latvia will support Macedonia’s NATO membership at the upcoming Summit in Chicago, and makes its experience regarding the European integration process fully available to the Republic of Macedonia. This was stated at a joint press conference in Riga by the President of the Republic of Latvia, Andris Berzins, after the meeting with the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who is paying his first official visit to this Baltic country.

”Latvia is ready to support Macedonia’s NATO accession because of its contribution, particularly as part of international peacekeeping forces, which is enormous and I personally stressed this during my visit to Afghanistan in one of the hospitals, where I met medical personnel from Macedonia. They play an important role in Afghanistan and in the processes taking place there since 2002”, the Head of the Latvian state said, responding to a journalist question - whether Latvia is ready to raise the issue of Macedonia at the Summit in Chicago, following the judgment of the International Court of Justice, which is in favor of Macedonia.

At the meeting, the two presidents discussed possibilities to deepen and improve bilateral relations, European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia as well as the imposed dispute by Greece on Macedonia’s constitutional name.

”We discussed this issue as an obstacle to our integration in NATO and the EU. We expect support and help from all our friends at the upcoming Summit if the issue of enlargement or Macedonia’s membership is open. I hope this visit will further boost good bilateral relations and that our governments will proceed with intensive cooperation, that we will be able to finalize the legal framework and sign the necessary agreements so that our citizens, businessmen, our students, professors could find interest for mutual cooperation and our countries could advance and use the existing potential”, President Ivanov said, extending his gratitude for the overall support of Latvia.

Asked by Latvian journalist whether there is progress in solving the name issue, President Ivanov said that despite initiatives by the Macedonian side, there is a lack of optimistic announcements by Greece that the dispute could be resolved quickly.

"There are many initiatives on our part because we are concerned. Unfortunately, on the other hand, there are no optimistic announcements that we may come to a solution. The UN representative, mediator Nimetz, visited our two countries and initiated meetings at the highest level. But due to the current situation in Greece and the upcoming elections, we do not expect to get a positive answer", President Ivanov said.

Latvian President Berzins said that Macedonia, since its independence until today, has gained enough experience and capacity to start accession negotiations.

"As for us, we would be really happy if we can help. Our experience can be very helpful for you to avoid mistakes we made", President Berzins said, noting the similarity between the two countries.

In the focus of the talks of both presidents was the economic cooperation, above all, the possibility of its enhancement. The presidents agreed that common interest of both countries is finding new opportunities for economic cooperation through exchange of experience, association of companies and joint investments.

"Unfortunately, the current economic cooperation between both countries is symbolic. Therefore it is necessary to leave room for businesspeople to contribute to increasing trade cooperation, and products from both countries to be present at our markets", President Ivanov said, adding that, among other things, with his Latvian counterpart, discussed cooperation in the sphere of culture and education.

At the first official visit to the Republic of Latvia, President Ivanov was welcomed with the highest state and military honors, and his reception at the Riga Castle was broadcasted by the Latvian national television.

Today, the Head of the Macedonian state had a working lunch with the Latvian Prime Minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, who expressed full readiness to intensify cooperation with the Macedonian Government at all levels, including cooperation in economy, education, culture, health and justice. Prime Minister Dombrovskis expressed readiness to share Latvian experience in the terms of accession negotiations for EU membership and use of European funds.

President Ivanov called for Latvia's principled support for Macedonia's membership in NATO and the EU to continue in future and to be intensified, aiming at unblocking of Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration in the upcoming critical period. The bilateral dispute with Greece over Macedonia's constitutional name was discussed at the meeting, as well as our expectations of the NATO summit and the European Council in June.

President Ivanov and Prime Minister Dombrovskis expressed mutual satisfaction that after a longer period, political and economic cooperation between both countries is renewed.

Among the members of the delegation led by President Ivanov is the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mile Janakieski, who signed an Agreement on International Road Transport today with his Latvian counterpart, which introduced liberalization of bilateral and transit transport of goods between both countries without transport permits.

President Ivanov tomorrow in Riga will meet the Speaker of the Republic of Latvia, and afterwards he is going to pay a working visit to Lithuania, as part of his Baltic tour.