The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, hosted today the traditional working lunch with the Ambassadors of the Visegrad Group member countries, accredited in the Republic of Macedonia. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. József Bencze, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, H.E. Miroslav Rames, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Martin Bezak, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Jacek Stefan Multanowski.

Topics of discussion were the political relations, the Macedonian Euro-Atlantic integration processes, the cooperation in the field of economy, as well as the regional and multilateral cooperation.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the high level of bilateral relations and with the fruitful political dialogue between the Republic of Macedonia and the Visegrad Group countries, which are based on the longstanding tradition of mutual understanding, friendship and respect. The continuation of the exchange of visits at the highest level was also discussed.

The Macedonian President praised the continued and consistent support of the Visegrad Group countries in maintaining the momentum of the EU enlargement process and particularly the strong support for sooner initiation of negotiations for the Republic of Macedonia's membership.

"Membership in the EU and NATO is a strategic priority for the Republic of Macedonia, and it necessary the positive recommendations of the European Commission to be translated into a final decision for a date to start negotiations," President Ivanov said, adding that the illegal blockade of the rightful membership of our country in NATO is a serious blockade of peace, security and stability in the Balkans.

The Ambassadors welcomed the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia for accelerated accession to the EU and NATO, and expressed belief that the Visegrad Group member countries, as influential factors within the EU, will continue to support the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia.

At the meeting, the interlocutors agreed that the bilateral cooperation is continuously deepening and that there are untapped potentials for a more comprehensive cooperation in a number of areas of mutual interest, especially in the fields of economy, investment, education, culture, tourism and agriculture.