Neighborly relations in the region can always be better. Neighborly relations are a two-way street, we must expect that what we do is also done by the others so that we can all together join the EU as a crossroad of good two-way streets that exist in this region, President Gjorge Ivanov said at the 4 Regional Presidential Summit in Budva on “Cooperation towards Progress - challenges and responses”. We expect the entire region to make a step forward so we can all become part of the EU, and the basis for this are the good neighborly relations and we have to work on it. We should never be satisfied with the current situation, for example in the economy and the trade there is great potential which has not yet been fully exploited, President Ivanov said at today’s press conference. These Summits, as the President said, send a positive message that the leaders of these Balkans countries can organize themselves upon their own initiative, to discuss issues that require common, regional approach. These Summits help identify areas where we need to strengthen our cooperation. Also enhanced trust between us and promotion of good neighborly relations through open and frank discussions on issues that once in the past were a burden and we send the message that we have a common future, President Ivanov stressed. Our shared goal, as he said, is to be in the common home called Europe. Our aim is, through our reforms and the ideas shared at such summits, to establish equal setting in our whole region. Adhering to European criteria, European principles and European values, Ivanov said.

President Ivanov at the 4 Regional Presidential Summit in Budva held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. At the meeting with the President of Montenegro, the two presidents expressed satisfaction with the development of the overall bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro. There was a discussion on the current political situation in both countries and the expectations from the forthcoming EU Council meeting. President Ivanov congratulated Montenegro’s progress towards EU membership and the start of the accession negotiations and interest was expressed for strengthening cooperation at expert level in the context of the EU accession process. The two presidents exchanged views on regional initiatives - SEECP and Dialogue among Civilizations, chaired next year by the Republic of Macedonia and expressed interest in promoting economic cooperation.

At the meeting with the Albanian President, Bujar Nishani, both interlocutors agreed that bilateral relations are at the highest level in continuity, the best indicator of this is the intensity of official visits and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. They pledged to continue the good cooperation with special emphasis on the economy and reaffirmed their mutual support for the integration of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO and the European Union, and of the Republic of Albania in the EU. The meeting also discussed the recent incidents. Both presidents concluded that the good relations between the two countries, mutually built over the years, must not be disturbed by anyone. The incidents were assessed as unacceptable and irresponsible and they both pledged for institutional sanctioning of the offenders. The Macedonian President accepted the invitation to visit Albania in 2013.

At the meeting with the President of Kosovo, Ms. Jahjaga, satisfaction with the established continuous, constructive and friendly dialogue between the two countries was expressed, and opinions were exchanged on issues of mutual interest. In order to deepen cooperation, the two presidents agreed that it is necessary to improve the contractual framework between the two countries. President Ivanov expressed support for the Republic of Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, with clearly defined positions corresponding to the positions of the US, EU, NATO and the UN and expressed willingness to transfer positive reform experiences of the Republic of Macedonia in key areas. The meeting exchanged opinions on regional developments and the Macedonian President expressed interest on the dialogue Belgrade - Pristina. President Ivanov expressed expectation for soon recognition of the Gorani-Macedonians in Kosovo, as a constitutional category of Macedonian national minority.