We expect at the upcoming NATO Summit in Poland in 2016, the Republic of Macedonia to move forward and leave the status quo in terms of its membership in the alliance, President Gjorge Ivanov stated, who took part in the past two days at the 25th Economic Forum in Poland.

President Ivanov, at the sidelines of the Forum, met with the newly elected Polish President, Andrzej Duda. The meeting focused on the upcoming NATO Summit and what can be done by the Republic of Poland in terms of the Republic of Macedonia's membership in NATO.
"We expect an end of the status quo in terms of our integration into NATO at the next NATO Summit, because we have met all our obligations and completed 16 MAPs (Membership Action Plan) and will start with the 17 Action Plan", President Ivanov said.

In this context, he added that the Army of the Republic of Macedonia is the most checked army which meets the requirements to be part of NATO.

"I have emphasized our entire contribution to the participation in all peacekeeping missions. We and the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia expect an end of the NATO accession status quo", President Ivanov said.
The Macedonian President expects Poland to confirm everything shown so far and all the support given to Macedonia at this Summit.

Both interlocutors discussed the cooperation in other areas.
"Although Duda is newly elected president, he will continue the cooperation established so far with the previous presidents who have always had sympathies and support for Macedonia and have always been true friends in terms of our EU and NATO integration", President Ivanov said.

He added that the meeting with the Polish President also tackled the cooperation in the field of defence, culture, education, and as he announced, he expects in the near future an official meeting with concrete actions.

On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia, last night in Krynica Zdroj, a Macedonian evening was organized, which was opened by the President and the investment opportunities in the Republic of Macedonia were presented.

The Minister without Portfolio, Furkan Chako, who is a member of the Macedonian delegation, presented to the Polish businessmen at the Macedonian evening the advantages and opportunities for investing in Macedonia.

"Potential investors in Poland were most interested in the automotive sector, tourism and agriculture, with a particular interest for the subsidies offered by the Government, as well as for the free economic zones", Minister Chako said.