The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the letters of credence of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Lars Wahlund.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Sweden stressed that the relations between our countries are extensive and excellent and that during his term he would do everything in his capacity to promote the relations further and deepen the cooperation.
Many people from Macedonia live in Sweden, where they give valuable contributions to our society. I would also like to further our relations in the cultural and commercial spheres, said the Swedish Ambassador.
Ambassador Wahlund underlined that the Sweden’s commitment to the Macedonian statehood has been strong since the very beginning and added that one testimony to this is the Swedish substantial contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission UNPREDEP in the 1990’s.
Sweden is an ardent supporter of Macedonia’s integration into the transatlantic community. Sweden sees it as crucial that Macedonia start the EU negotiations as soon as possible with an aim of becoming a member, once all requirements are fulfilled, stated Ambassador Wahlund and also said that the EU enlargement is the key tool to reform and modernize societies in SEE, as well as to ensure and safeguard stability in this region.

President Ivanov, wishing Ambassador Wahlund sincere welcome and successful execution of the responsible mission, expressed his satisfaction with the development of the relations of friendship between our two countries and stated that the Republic of Macedonia is strongly committed to further develop the relations and cooperation with the Kingdom of Sweden.
I am convinced that Sweden, as an influential European Union member state, supporting the ‘open door’ policy, in future, will also support Republic of Macedonia’s efforts for its integration in the European family, as it was done during last year’s Swedish Presidency, President Ivanov said.
The Macedonian President emphasized that for the Republic of Macedonia, the process of Euro-Atlantic integration was and still is one of the key integration factors and driving force of the reform processes, thus it enjoys absolute political, ethnic and social consensus.
The progress of the Republic of Macedonia in that process has been recognized and acknowledged by the European Commission, underlined President Ivanov and stressed that the opening of the accession negotiation for the Republic of Macedonia will not only confirm the credibility of the Union, but it will have additional motivating effect in my country, as well as positive implications for the stability and prosperity of the entire region.