The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, in Brussels today had a meeting with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. The main discussion topic was the European perspective of Macedonia as a candidate country for EU membership since 2005.

“I welcome the reforms implemented so far and I encourage the efforts in regard to freedom of expression, electoral reform and interethnic relations. Internal stability and reconciliation, for the country and for the region, remain the most important segments. Therefore, we want full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement and we strongly support the spirit and the letter of this agreement, which is essential for the democracy and rule of law”, the President of the European Council said after the meeting with President Ivanov.

Van Rompuy said that they agreed with the Macedonian President on the importance of maintaining the strong focus Macedonia has on the road to EU, stressing the importance of the High-Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD) led between the Macedonian government and the European Commission.

The President of the European Council said that with President Ivanov they discussed the name issue, emphasizing the relevance of good neighborly relations in the EU accession process, and that he encourages both countries to resume negotiations in order to find a mutually acceptable solution.

“Because regional cooperation is essential for European integration, in this context, I welcome the Presidency of your country with the South-East Europe Cooperation Process. The EU remains fully committed to the European future of the country and I welcome the strong public support for the EU. Therefore, I am confident that the goal will be achieved once you resolve the name issue”, said the President of the Council, adding that he is willing to help, and that the necessary reforms and criteria must be met.

“I hope all countries in the region, including your country, Mr. President, will continue on the road towards the EU. The future of your country is in Europe”, Van Rompuy said to the President.

President Ivanov, however, said that at the meeting with Van Rompuy they discussed his meetings yesterday with the representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Moreover, the Macedonian President conveyed the expectations in Macedonia to Van Rompuy that everything that has been achieved should be noted in the October Progress Report of the European Commission regarding the country's European integration.

"We expect, the European Council as an institution whose role we highly respect, to accelerate Macedonia's European integration process. I expressed gratitude for everything done so far for our country in that respect. Rompuy and I discussed many issues, such as the reform processes and commitments that we as a country are taking, as well as the desire to unblock the process of our European integration", President Ivanov said.

He also added that with the President of the European Council they discussed the latest developments in the region. President Ivanov pointed out that the goal of Macedonia is to be set a date to start negotiations by the end of the year, which would be a positive signal for the other countries striving to the same goal. The Macedonian President pointed to his interlocutor that the EU is expected to do everything in its capacity to help attain these goals together to the benefit of the entire region and our southern neighbor. In such a case, according to President Ivanov, Greece will have a neighbor with European standards, criteria and principles.

"This policy of blockades that we feel most, does not give results, or contribution to our whole region to live the agenda of the European future and feel the benefit of the European integration, because it is the only process that is forcing us to voluntarily

change institutions, habits and thus our future. Therefore, I asked Van Rompuy for his personal engagement in overcoming these long-lasting blockades so that we can get what we deserve, nothing more and noting less than the other countries with the same status as ours", President Ivanov added and at the end of the meeting invited the President of the European Council next year to visit Macedonia and attend the meeting of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, which will be held in Ohrid.

According to President Ivanov, the President of the European Council will have the chance to be personally informed by the leaders of the countries in our region with the new environment that is being created.

The working two-day visit of the President of the Republic of Macedonia to Brussels was wrapped up with the meeting with the President of the European Council, preceded with the meetings with the high-level representatives of NATO and the EU, which is assessed as successful.