The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in the Villa Biljana in Ohrid the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Martin Bezak

At the meeting, the President of the Republic of Macedonia was briefed about the priorities and challenges of the Slovak Republic as the current presidency of the Council of the European Union, as well as about the perspectives and possibilities for the Republic of Macedonia as regards its Euro-integration process in the forthcoming period.

Ambassador Bezak emphasized that the Slovak republic will insist on fully realizing the priorities of their presidency and that, as regards the Western Balkan countries, it will advocate a continuation of the enlargement policy and establishment of a sustainable migration and asylum policy.

Noting that the Slovak presidency comes at possibly one of the most complex and challenging periods for both the EU and Europe as a whole, President Ivanov wished the Ambassador every success and underlined that the Republic of Macedonia will continue to be a constructive partner of the European Union and of the Slovak presidency, especially in terms of facing the challenges that lie ahead.

The Macedonian President expressed his expectation that the Slovak Republic, as an established friend and partner of the Republic of Macedonia, will invest further efforts and support in order to make a step forward in terms of European integration, stating that it is of crucial importance for the Republic of Macedonia to open negotiations for accession to the European Union. That would contribute – President Ivanov said - to maintain the credibility of the enlargement policy, but at the same time, it would represent a positive impulse for consolidation and stability of the internal political situation in the Republic of Macedonia, drawing the focus of all social and political stakeholders to reform issues. Status quo, on the other hand, has a completely opposite effect - stated President Ivanov at the meeting.

Both interlocutors exchanged opinions and information regarding the key challenges that the EU has been facing, such as security threats, the refugee crisis and the declining trust of people in the EU.