The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today hosted a working lunch for the Ambassadors of the Western Balkan countries, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia and the Head of Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Macedonia, in accordance with the tradition established last year.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Aivo Orav, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Branko Rakovec, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Mr. Zlatko Kramarić, Ambassador of Montenegro, H.E. Mr. Dusan Mrdovic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Mr. Zdravko Begovic, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Arben Cejku, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Mr. Ylber Hysa and the Charge d’ Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Dusanka Divjak-Tomic.

The talks focused on the Euro-Atlantic integration as a strategic commitment of the countries of the region, the current reform processes and the perspectives in this regard. President Ivanov and the ambassadors agreed that the European integration of all Western Balkan countries is of special importance. General conclusion was that the integration should be seen primarily through the prism of uniting communities via political, ethnic and social consensus, then, as a tool for meeting the standards and criteria that will lead to improvement of the overall social results, and, finally, as a tool that urges the countries to close collaboration and cooperation.

President Ivanov reaffirmed the position that the Republic of Macedonia remains committed to meeting the European agenda and that the setting of a date for starting accession negotiations with the European Union is essential for the Republic of Macedonia and for the process of enlargement as the EU’s most successful policy. Further integration will positively influence the situation in the region, was the conclusion of the participants.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on the current situation in the Republic of Macedonia and in the region, the challenges facing individual countries, and they agreed that all outstanding issues should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect and understanding, and in the spirit of good neighborly relations and European standards.

The Macedonian President acknowledged the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia to strengthen, deepen and promote good neighborly relations and regional cooperation as a strategic objective of the country, and expressed his expectation for constructive and success of the upcoming regional meetings hosted by the Republic of Macedonia, as well as hope that the Macedonian Chairmanship with the South-East European Cooperation Process and Dialogue among Civilizations will actively contribute to the promotion of cooperation in the region.

In terms of bilateral relations with the Western Balkan countries, it was concluded at the meeting that they are excellent, with regular meetings and exchange of visits. The interlocutors pointed to the economy, trade and investment as areas of cooperation with untapped potential for strengthening. At the meeting, they also pointed out the importance of completion of infrastructure projects of interest to the region, the Adriatic-Ionian Highway and Corridors 8 and 10.