The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, met today with Mr. Mladen Ivanic, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who is paying a working visit to the Republic of Macedonia.

Both interlocutors concluded that there is good bilateral cooperation between the two countries, without open issues, and expressed mutual interest in strengthening and deepening of the cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest.

At the meeting, they exchanged views on the situation in the region in the context of the current challenges and its Euro-Atlantic prospects. The Presidency member Ivanic informed President Ivanov on the current political and economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the key challenges in the country in the coming period. In this regard, they reaffirmed the commitment for further mutual assistance, support and cooperation aimed at meeting the strategic objectives of both countries sooner.

The interlocutors exchanged information on the upcoming meetings of the regional initiatives involving both countries, and proposed ideas for promotion of the regional and multilateral cooperation. Concern was expressed for certain retrograde processes, which in the present moment, when Europe and the region are facing serious security challenges, can further worsen the situation and relations in the region.

President Ivanov stressed the Republic of Macedonia's readiness for further improvement of the relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and deepening the cooperation especially in the field of economy and security. The economic cooperation, the interlocutors agreed, does not correspond to the level of political relations between the two countries, nor corresponds to the real possibilities and capacities.

Mutual conclusion is that it is necessary, through dialogue and accelerated integration, and by focusing on major infrastructure connections, to arrive at a political, economic and security consolidation in the region of Southeast Europe. At the same time, President Ivanov reaffirmed the interest for an official visit of the three members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Macedonia.