The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today a delegation of the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The meeting discussed the cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which dates from 1993 and is assessed as extremely successful.

President Ivanov expressed his appreciation for the role and involvement of the EBRD as one of the biggest supporters of the Republic of Macedonia's development through the implementation of several projects, naming the projects related to the road infrastructure, transport and energy as projects of special significance.

Both sides exchanged views and information on the situation in the wider region. In that context, the EBRD delegation expressed appreciation and stressed the role of the Republic of Macedonia and of President Ivanov for his engagement in regional terms and welcomed the efforts to reify projects that will result in infrastructure connectivity throughout the region of Southeast Europe.

At the meeting, the EBRD delegation reaffirmed their willingness to further support the development of the Republic of Macedonia in accordance with our needs. Particular emphasis was placed on the big infrastructure projects, such as corridors 8 and 10, and the energy projects.

The collocutors agreed that the cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development can further deepen and intensify in the future so as to strengthen the economic development of the country.

Asked by the members of the Board of Directors of the EBRD, President Ivanov informed on the current economic situation in the Republic of Macedonia, on the regional cooperation and the country's strategic goals, as well as on the latest developments in the field of the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia. In that context, President Ivanov briefed the collocutors on the process of overcoming the name dispute with our southern neighbor, which is the only obstacle to the continuation of the integration process, emphasizing that the blockades do not discourage us to continue the reforms, to attain the European values and criteria, and to achieve economic results.