President of Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov met today the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, H.E. Sergey Lavrov.

At the meeting held in Villa Biljana in Ohrid, President Ivanov and Minister Lavrov have exchanged opinions on the level of relations between the two countries. Shared estimation is Republic of Macedonia and the Russian Federation maintain highly friendly and close relations, which set the base for future deepening of the cooperation in the areas of economy, energy, cultural and scientific exchange, tourism.  

Especially important part of the meeting was devoted to the perspectives that open between the two countries with the planned connection of Republic of Macedonia with the projected gas pipeline South Spring. President Ivanov expressed his beliefs that the realization of this project will enable a significant economic progress for Republic of Macedonia, assuring accessible and stable source of energy. President Ivanov and Minister Lavrov have also discussed Russian successful investments in Macedonia along with the possibilities for future investments, as well as the access of Macedonian products to the Russian market.

President Ivanov extended greetings and reaffirmed the invitation to the President of the Russian Federation Dmitri Medvedev to visit Macedonia, which would be an opportunity to sign the Agreement for friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

President Ivanov expressed warm gratitude for the Russian Federation’s attitude and the respect towards Republic of Macedonia’s constitutional name as an act which is highly appreciated by all Macedonian citizens. He also informed Minister Lavrov on the recent developments in the process of talks on the name row with Republic of Greece and the positions of Macedonia.