The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, urged NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg that the biggest military – political organization in the world bear in mind the most recent security threats and geopolitical aspects, stating that the Alliance should not ignore international law, including the International Court of Justice judgment regarding Macedonia.

„This meeting with the Secretary General of NATO comes at a time of multiple challenges both for our country and the region, but also for NATO. The Alliance has been facing major challenges, today is a busy day for the Secretary General having in mind the new developments in Syria", underlined President Ivanov after the meeting with Stoltenberg.

The Macedonian President said he informed Stoltenberg about all the expectations that Macedonia has as a candidate country for NATO membership, in view of the upcoming ministerial meeting of the Alliance in December, as well as the NATO Summit in Warsaw next year.

„We have a new reality and we must respect it. There is a shift in the geopolitical situation in the world, new challenges are arising and when NATO adopts its decisions at the Summit in Warsaw next year, it should take these into consideration. Also, the Alliance should finally start respecting the judgment of the International Court of Justice in the Hague, because we keep hearing how NATO continuously calls upon the respect of international law and assumed obligations, but all of this should also be valid in the case of Macedonia", said President Ivanov.

In a statement for the press, the President of the Republic of Macedonia informed that he invited the NATO Secretary General to visit the Republic of Macedonia and "personally see the current situation with the refuges, although NATO is not involved in the situation currently, but still to see what is happening and who is transiting Macedonian territory", underlined President Ivanov.

„Our territory has always been the link between the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Therefore I reiterated the question of whether it was necessary for the refugees to come and show which is the most frequent, most strategic and predominant route in this part of Europe and the world", President Ivanov is resolute.

According to President Ivanov, Stoltenberg stated that he was closely following the situation in Macedonia, that he is aware of the frustrations of Macedonian citizens and the 16 Membership Action Plans (MAPs) that Macedonia has completed with success, as well as the fact that the country has always been an active participant in all NATO-led initiatives and actions, especially the contribution of our army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

„The situation in the world is as it is and we must continue facing the existing and prepare for new challenges. In this context, the Secretary General informed about the ways NATO is assisting the Macedonian Army and all the trainings and support it has been providing in order for us as a country which has been a candidate for NATO membership for so long, to be able to tackle the challenges and influence the general security situation in the wider region" stated President Ivanov.

However, the Macedonian President was realistic, stating that Jens Stoltenberg, as Secretary General of the Alliance, must reflect the positions of NATO Member States, and Macedonia, being a candidate country, is not yet at the same table and able to present its counter arguments to the arguments provided by Member States in our absence.

„We know that some of the NATO Member States that are not friendly towards Macedonia, are creating a distorted perception and try to install wrong impressions in other NATO Member States, without taking into consideration the existing reality and the fact that we are doing our best to shape it in a most positive way", underlined President Ivanov.

He said that the possibility to increase the number of Macedonian troops in NATO-led missions throughout the world was not discussed at the meeting, having in mind that this decision is usually discussed at the level of ministers, and an issue that the relevant Macedonian ministers will discuss with the Alliance.

„Macedonia realized its tasks, the mission in Afghanistan is about to end and now the Alliance is switching to new modalities of action in Afghanistan", President Ivanov said.

The meeting with NATO Secretary General marked the finish of President Ivanov's two day working visit to Brussels during which he also met with the first Vice President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans, whereby they discussed the refugee crisis and the assistance Macedonia expects from the European Union in order to handle the situation.