The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today in Star Dojran with Dr. Numan Kurtulmus, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey.

President Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmus agreed that the bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey are excellent and expressed willingness to further intensify cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

"The Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey have established relations of strategic partnership and the Republic of Turkey is one of the most vocal promoters of the Republic of Macedonia's integration in NATO. The support of the Republic of Turkey is always welcome and highly appreciated," President Ivanov said.

The meeting stressed the mutual interest for more intensive economic cooperation and discussed investment opportunities in several areas.

President Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmus exchanged views on the opportunities in tourism, culture, education and other areas of mutual interest.

The Macedonian President expressed gratitude for the support of the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Agency for Cooperation and Coordination - TIKA in the implementation of numerous projects in the Republic of Macedonia. President Ivanov expressed his special gratitude for the support in the opening of the first Emergency Center within the University Clinic for Children's Diseases in the Republic of Macedonia, which was implemented under the auspices of his wife, Ms. Maja Ivanova, and the opening of the Memorial House of Kemal Ataturk's family in the village of Kodzadzik. Possibilities for implementation of other projects in the coming period were also discussed.

After the meeting, President Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmus, together with representatives of TIKA, attended the opening of the renovated square in the village Dedeli in the municipality of Valandovo.