The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Aldo Bumci.

At the meeting, they both expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations between the two countries and with the mutual commitment to further strengthening of the friendship and good neighborly relations through open dialogue. The interlocutors agreed that the relations between the two countries show, in continuity, positive development and that the political dialogue at all levels is continuous and fruitful.

"The political relations between our two countries have reached a level that enables us to fully focus on the most important matters for the welfare of our citizens - economy, investment, infrastructure and energy connectivity, cross-border collaboration and cooperation between the ministries of interior of the two countries, tourism, prevention and assistance in case of natural disasters and accidents, joint utilization of European funds", President Ivanov said, expressing hope for even more intensive cooperation between the Governments of the two countries in this regard.

In context of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, President Ivanov and Minister Bumci concluded that the cooperation and mutual support should continue and that the European integration of the Western Balkan countries is essential for the regional stability and development.

President Ivanov and Minister Bumci exchanged views on several topical issues in the region. In terms of regional cooperation, Minister Bumci commended the Presidency of the Republic of Macedonia with the South-East European Cooperation Process and the activities taken for a more dynamic and intensified regional cooperation. Minister Bumci appraised President Ivanov's stance that, in the future, the declarative regional cooperation should advance to a next phase of more intensive operational cooperation with specific projects in numerous areas.

President Ivanov said that by the end of the year he will pay an official visit to the Republic of Albania.