The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, at last night’s meeting in Vienna with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, called for support, strong engagement and assistance for unblocking Macedonia’s EU integration.

At the meeting with President Ivanov, the President of the European Council underlined the expectations of the December summit of the European Council, the recommendation of the European Commission to be endorsed finally and Macedonia to get a date to start negotiations.

The Head of the European Council gave promise for his increased commitment for a further progress in the region. Herman Van Rompuy’s assessment is that in the next period, there will be positive developments and positive momentum for the Western Balkans.

“Van Rompuy pointed out that ever since the first day of his election to this office, he is committed the Western Balkans to be given a chance and start to moving forward in terms of its European integration”, President Ivanov said, pointing out that the Western Balkans deserves to be part of the EU.

The Macedonian President stressed that the European Union without the Balkans is not Europe.

“Van Rompuy said that he would personally advocate for what Macedonia deserves. That is the message, but we will see the outcome of the European Council meeting. It is important that we have accomplished the given tasks, and that is confirmed in the European Commission reports”, President Ivanov said.

President Ivanov, while participating at the Congress "90 years Pan-Europa" had a meeting with the President of the International Pan-European Union, Alain Terrenoire, who stressed that it is not possible to build Europe without one of its key parts - the Balkans. He pointed out that the Pan-European Union strongly supports and promotes the enlargement, and in this context, the Republic of Macedonia is completely unjustly blocked. President Ivanov, at the meeting with Terrenoire, noted that the assistance of all friends and partners, and in particular of the Pan-European Union, is highly appreciated.

The Head of State, in Vienna, met with the Regional Policy Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, where the interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to strengthen contacts with the Republic of Macedonia, to transfer European know-how and to absorb the grants and funds allocated by the Union for regional development.

With today's meeting with Commissioner Hahn and the visit of the Ernst Fuchs Museum, President Ivanov wrapped up his working visit to Vienna.