The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Dojran met with the Head of the EU Delegation to the Repub;ic of Macedonia, Ambassador Samuel Zbogar.

The meeting focused on the European integration of the Republic of Macedonia, on the situation with the refugee and migrant crisis and on the current political developments in the Republic of Macedonia.

President Ivanov, at the meeting with Ambassador Zbogar, stressed the need for a new approach of the EU towards the Republic of Macedonia, noting that the current approach of the EU has proved counterproductive and resulted in retrograde political processes in the country instead of improving the political culture and the reform process.

In terms of the refugee and migrant crisis, the interlocutors exchanged views on the announcements of a new refugee flow and on the opportunities for increased security risks and threats of violent extremism. Emphasizing the importance of stability and security in the region and Europe, the Macedonian President reaffirmed the need for access to the EU databases of entry and comparison of data on migrant and foreign terrorist fighters, data exchange and increased cooperation among intelligence and other security services.

"Despite the internal political crisis, Macedonia has shown it has stable institutions, proactive and preventive approach in dealing with the migrant crisis. You cannot protect your external borders without first securing the corridors along the states that are outside the EU. Macedonia needs assistance to help you", President Ivanov said at the meeting with Ambassador Zbogar.

At the meeting, President Ivanov and Ambassador Zbogar exchanged views on the foreign policy of the Republic of Macedonia with regard to the neighboring countries and Macedonia's active role in building regional cooperation.