The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who participates in the Global Security Forum "GLOBSEC 2015" in Bratislava, today, at the meeting with General John Allen, Special Envoy of the US President Barack Obama for the Coalition to Counter ISIS asked for increased engagement of the US aimed at increasing the security and cooperation in our region.

"Without increasing the trust and cooperation among the security services, our region will remain vulnerable to the threats of violent extremism and radicalism, the threat of foreign terrorist fighters", underlined President Ivanov, adding that the US should help in that direction.

At the meeting at which views and information on the current security and political situation in the Republic of Macedonia and the region were exchanged, President Ivanov said that the non-integrated Western Balkans needs a security umbrella and pointed out that the Republic of Macedonia hopes for increased US support for its full-fledged NATO membership. Macedonia's membership in NATO, President Ivanov underlined, will positively affect the security and stability in the region.

President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the continued US support for the integration of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO, stressing therefore the need to intensify such support in the future.

"The United States gives special attention to the strategic and partnership relations with Macedonia and we are grateful for the role and the engagement of Macedonia in the peace missions and in the coalition to counter ISIS", General Allen said.

He added that the US is ready to continue and intensify cooperation with the Republic of Macedonia in the field of security.

In this context, President Ivanov and General Allen reaffirmed the long-term common interest to intensify the strategic partnership with the United States, including the excellent cooperation in defense and international fight against terrorism - in accordance with the Declaration on Strategic Partnership of May 2008.

The meeting stressed the need for further strengthening of the overall dialogue and intensifying the existing cooperation in all fields of common interest at bilateral and multilateral levels.

President Ivanov at the Security Forum will address the session "Balkan Chessboard: Europe Whole and Free at Stake".