The President of the Republic of Macedonia is on two-day official visit of the Republic of Estonia. During today’s meeting with the President of the Republic of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the high level of friendship and the mutual understanding and cooperation among the two countries was confirmed. Also, the support for Republic of Macedonia’s membership to EU and NATO was confirmed.

At the press conference, held after the meeting of the two presidents, President Ilves announced that the problem regarding the name between Macedonia and Greece should be solved on bilateral basis. “We want to see Macedonia on EU’s and NATO’s table. Our interest is the obstacles to be removed as soon as possible, so that Macedonia could become a member in these important organizations” President Ilves said, underlining that it is necessary to reach a solution in order to remove the obstacles standing in the path to EU membership.

President Ivanov stated that Estonia is a country that has always supported Macedonia in its Euro-Atlantic integration. “The Republic of Macedonia is impressed by the progress and the level of cooperation achieved by the Baltic states, not only in the Euro-Atlantic integration. We continuously underline this as a positive example for our region. I personally contribute to the enrichment of the Balkan cooperation, and to follow the positive example set by the Baltic States,” said President Ivanov and underlined that Macedonia has many tasks to finish, but that, generally speaking, the country has never been better in implementing of the reforms and criteria.

Answering a question by the journalists, on how the other ethnic communities in Macedonia view the name issue, President Ivanov said that Macedonia is a multiethnic, multireligious and multilingual community with a specific integration model. The name Macedonia unites all those who live in the area of Macedonia. Macedonia created a specific model of integration without assimilation and every community in Macedonia fulfills its rights and is loyal towards the institutions of our state. Therefore, the name Macedonia is a common issue for all, since the problem that Greece has created in terms of our name is blocking the perspective of all those who live in Macedonia, said President Ivanov.

The two presidents agreed that the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Estonia share the same values and good political relations, and agree that the economic relations, which are currently behind, should follow this example. The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov also met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, Andrus Ansip.