Macedonia and Poland nourish excellent bilateral relations, without any open issues, with a possibility to promote economic cooperation. Poland supports and will support Macedonia on its path to the Euro-Atlantic structures, as the stability in the region is not possible without Macedonia's integration, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov and the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski, assessed after their meeting today in Skopje.

"Poland has been supporting the Republic of Macedonia for setting a date to launch negotiations for EU membership, as we think that the stabilization of this region is impossible without Macedonia", President Komorowski said.

The support given by Poland to the Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia, he added, stems not only from the good friendly relations between the two countries, but also from the determination of Poland of 1989, for an open door policy of the Euro-Atlantic structures.
"There are cases, similar to Macedonia, when candidates were blocked, but a decision was brought for a parallel movement in the resolution of outstanding issues and European integration, and, therefore, we expect the same to apply to us", President Ivanov said, expressing gratitude to Poland for the continued support to Macedonia in this regard, and for the recognition of the constitutional name.

We expect, the Macedonian President added, at the next European Commission Summit and the EU Council to finally set a date for Macedonia to start EU membership negotiations.

"We discussed about the power that the European idea has and the changes caused by the European integration, that it is something that is necessary for our region, too. In this regard, we expect strong support from Poland, because the current situation of status quo in Macedonia's EU integration is in nobody's interest", the Macedonian President said.

He and his Polish counterpart discussed the possibility to promote the excellent and friendly relations between the two countries in several areas, such as science, education, culture, but above all the economic relations.

"Every friendship requires good foundations that rely not only on the historical heritage but also on the good economic cooperation", President Komorowski said.

That is the purpose, he added, of today's Macedonian - Polish business forum, which is to be opened by the two Presidents.

The forum, both Presidents agree, is a good opportunity for close meetings of businessmen to consider the possibilities for boosting economic cooperation.

Before the press-conference, President Ivanov, in a ceremony held in Villa Vodno, bestowed his Polish counterpart with the Order "September 8" for his exceptional merits in developing and strengthening of the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, as well as in promoting and strengthening of the international position and reputation of the Republic of Macedonia.

The Order "September 8" is awarded as a token of gratitude to the Polish people and the leaders of the Republic of Poland for nurturing and strengthening the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, for the strong support and assistance in the efforts to attain the strategic goals and principled usage of the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia.

Polish President Komorowski was welcomed today with the highest state and military honors in Villa Vodno, afterwards had a tête-à-tête meeting with the Macedonian President Ivanov, and there was a plenary meeting of both official delegations.

In presence of both Presidents, Agreement on cooperation in the field of science and higher education between the Ministry of Education and Science of Macedonia and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland was signed.

The Presidents of the Republic of Macedonia and of the Republic of Poland tomorrow will be in Ohrid, where they will visit several cultural and historical landmarks.