The countries in the region are too small for the too big challenges imposed by globalization. Greater cooperation between them is needed and the new era agreement should rest on building confidence and greater security in the region, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, said today at the "Summit 100", held in the Slovenian town Portoroz.

Addressing the leaders from the Southeast Europe countries and the representatives of the business sector, President Ivanov said that Macedonia is still waiting to join the European Union and NATO and that what remains for Macedonia is to invest in its economy and education.

- Macedonia is stuck in an elevator for already 24 years. We are not moving –we are stuck both in terms of NATO and the European Union, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and the Black Sea Initiative. Out of spite. See what our specificity makes for us. What remains for us - to build Macedonia in height and therefore we invest in the economy and knowledge. But this is not in someone's favor, the Macedonian President said.

According to President Ivanov, greater connectivity between the countries in the region is needed and to channels for cooperation to be found that will result in rail, energy and ICT connections.
The Macedonian President welcomed the practice the "Summit 100" to be held before the Summit of the Brdo - Brioni Process and in that context stressed that the synergy between the business community and the countries is particularly necessary in present circumstances.
The Summit, despite President Ivanov, was attended by businessmen from the Republic of Macedonia. On the sidelines of the Summit, President Ivanov held bilateral meetings with the host, the Slovenian President, Borut Pahor, and the Croatian President, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, where theMacedonian President urged for immediate start of accession negotiations with the European Union and admission to NATO.
"Summit 100" is held in Portoroz for the fourth consecutive year. In 2011, the first Summit was held in the Republic of Serbia, in 2013 in Montenegro, and in 2014 in the Republic of Croatia.