The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr. Jean Claude Mignon.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the traditionally good cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Council of Europe. Both interlocutors exchanged views on the ongoing engagement of the Republic of Macedonia in work of the institutions of the Council of Europe, as well as on the participation in the implementation of initiatives and projects of long-term interest of the country and the region.

In foreign policy context, President Ivanov reaffirmed the position that the Republic of Macedonia, with the same dynamics, works on meeting the strategic priorities - membership in the European Union and NATO. The Macedonian President expressed his gratitude to the Council of Europe for the support and assistance which greatly helped the Republic of Macedonia today to be a country that fulfills all the criteria for membership in NATO and is ready to immediately start accession negotiations with the EU.

At the meeting, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stated that the purpose of the visit is to be directly informed and to exchange views on current issues in the Republic of Macedonia before the consideration of the report of the Republic of Macedonia. Also, he noted that the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly will continue to support the Republic of Macedonia in the reform processes and in the efforts for full integration of the countryinto the EU.