The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov received today the MEP Alojz Peterle.

President Ivanov and MEP Peterle discussed at the meeting the latest political developments in Macedonia and in the region. They also discussed the situation in the European Union in terms of the enlargement process. President Ivanov extended gratitude to many MEPs and to the European Parliament in general for the strong and principled support of Macedonia's European perspective.

President Ivanov at the meeting briefed Peterle on the course of the process for overcoming the difference over the name with our southern neighbor. President Ivanov also informed on the process led at the International Court of Justice in the Hague. Ivanov and Peterle expressed hope that the name issue, which is the Greece's excuse to prevent Macedonia's EU and NATO membership, would be settled in the near future.