The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with the Head of the EU Delegation to Macedonia, Mr. Aivo Orav.

At the meeting, President Ivanov officially handed over the signed Memorandum of meeting the strategic goal for membership of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union to the Head of the European Union Delegation.

Both interlocutors commended the signing of the memorandum, thus fulfilling yet another one of the obligations of the March political agreement, and expressed satisfaction with the confirmed inter-party consensus on the strategic goals of the Republic of Macedonia, the European integration perspectives and the European orientation of the country. "There is no any other issue in the country that can achieve such a broad political consensus and support, except for the European idea, which should be a clear signal to the European Union", President Ivanov said.

During the meeting they exchanged views and information about the upcoming European Commission report on the Republic of Macedonia. President Ivanov expressed his expectation that the Republic of Macedonia will receive another positive report.

"Despite the political challenges we faced, we have achieved good results in all areas that were identified in the Spring Report, we are constantly committed to the reform processes in key areas, promotion of good neighborly relations with all our neighbors, regional cooperation and we take constructive part in efforts for overcoming the name issue", President Ivanov said in the talks with Ambassador Orav. Moreover, the Macedonian President expressed his expectation that the European Council will finally let the Republic of Macedonia to do the next step in terms of its integration, and will assign a date to start accession negotiations for EU membership.

"It is high time the Republic of Macedonia to continue its integration; it is high time the Republic of Macedonia is allowed to progress in two parallel processes. Status - quo brings no good to any one. There is no bigger and stronger momentum for the reform and for overcoming the weaknesses then the start of negotiations", President Ivanov said at the meeting.