The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today the Ambassadors of the Visegrad Group countries to the Republic of Macedonia (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary).

President Ivanov, congratulating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Visegrad Group, extended his satisfaction with the fruitful political dialogue between the Republic of Macedonia and the Visegrad Group countries and expressed his appreciation for the strong support that the Republic of Macedonia has been receiving from these countries on the path towards realization of its strategic goals - NATO and the European Union integration.

At the meeting, President Ivanov stressed that this year the importance of the Visegrad group is even greater because of the Hungarian and Polish EU Presidency, and in this context expressed the Republic of Macedonia’s expectation for setting a date for launching accession negotiations with the EU. Therefore, President Ivanov extended his expectation for support also from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Ambassadors of the Visegrad Group countries briefed President Ivanov on the priority projects, including the integration of the South-East Europe region into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures and stressed the experience of their countries as a positive example of mutual cooperation and mutual support in the EU and NATO integration process. The ambassadors expressed conviction that particularly the member states and the Vishegrad group as an influential factor within the EU will continue providing unconditional support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia.

During the meeting, the interlocutors exchanged views on the process led under the auspices of the United Nations concerning the difference over our constitutional name with our southern neighbor and the current situation on the political scene in the Republic of Macedonia.