The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Mr. Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, who is paying an official visit to the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the second Joint Session of the Governments of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia.

President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the exchange of mutual visits, noting that it is an indicator of the intensity of the political dialogue.

"The contacts at the highest level have special meaning and give a strong signal for further development of friendship and cooperation between our two countries. The joint sessions of the two governments are a new chapter in the mutual communication which opens up the possibility for a direct and more efficient cooperation in numerous areas of mutual interest", President Ivanov said at the meeting.

President Ivanov said that the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia have identical vision of a common future in the big European family, stability and prosperity of the region which can be achieved with the integration processes and enhanced regional cooperation. Noting that the Republic of Macedonia is firmly determined to build equally good relations with all neighbors, President Ivanov said that the country is ready to cooperate and exchange experiences on the EU integration and in the regional initiatives.

At the meeting, President Ivanov welcomed the improvement of the legal framework and the signing of several agreements and documents and stressed the need for a maximum commitment to the economic cooperation, as well as the energy and infrastructure connectivity.

"The time when only meetings and political declarations were enough has finished. Citizens expect concrete results from all bilateral or regional meetings", President Ivanov said at the meeting.

President Ivanov and Prime Minister Vucic exchanged views on the situation in the region. Both agreed that the dialogue is the only way to overcome the outstanding issues and differences in our region, and agreed that they must not in any way be an obstacle for bilateral, regional cooperation, nor an obstacle in the integration processes.