The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union, General Patrick de Rousiers.

At the meeting, they exchanged views and information on Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration, the Macedonian army participation in combat groups led by the European Union, as well as promotion of further cooperation of the Republic of Macedonia in the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defense Policy of the Union.

President Ivanov stressed that the Republic of Macedonia is fully committed to its membership in the European Union and NATO and added that our country provides important contribution to peace, security and stability in our region and beyond. The Macedonian President in this context emphasized ARM's participation in peacekeeping missions of the EU and NATO, and said that our support will continue in the future.

General Rousiers expressed appreciation for the contribution and active participation of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Security and Defense Policy, highlighting the participation of ARM in the EU mission "Althea" in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU Battle Groups in 2012 and 2014. General Rousiers also stressed the need for further promotion of the cooperation with the Republic of Macedonia as part of the cooperation between the European Union and the partner-countries, including our country, too.