Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski met Sunday with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan.

The interlocutors hailed the excellent relations between the two countries at bilateral and multilateral level, expressing satisfaction with the continued upward trend of their development which is characterized by regular high-level meetings.

They underlined that two countries cherish strong cooperation in friendship, mutual respect and understanding in several spheres as the economy, trade, education and strengthening cultural ties.

Gruevski noted that good cooperation with the Republic of Turkey on the political level is followed by the positive upward trend in economic cooperation, adding that Macedonia is open to all kinds of projects that will mean the strengthening of trade and investment activity.

He pointed out that in our country there are positive examples of Turkish companies operating successfully and that as a country we are ready this type of cooperation to continue and strengthen by using the advantages offered by good business climate in Macedonia.

Akdogan underlined the commitment of the Turkish government to motivate the investment activities of Turkish companies in Macedonia, expressing satisfaction with the economic cooperation and stressed the commitment to increase the economic exchange to a level of US$1 billion.

Gruevski thanked for the support that Macedonia receives from the Republic of Turkey regarding our integration into NATO. He stressed the government’s commitment for the implementation of reforms to promote standards and opportunities in all spheres of society.

Akdogan noted that Turkey fully supports Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration processes and will continue to be an active lobbyist in achieving these strategic objectives.

The meeting also focused on promotion of cooperation in the field of culture and the opening of cultural centers of the Republic of Macedonia in Istanbul and of the Republic of Turkey in Skopje, concluding that procedures of their opening are in the final stage. The opening of the regional centers of the Turkish Anadolu News Agency and the Turkish Radio and Television in our country was also welcomed.

They discussed the challenge of illegal migrants and exchanged experiences and information about ways of ensuring greater efficiency in addressing this global problem, and it was underlined that this topic requires a coordinated response by the entire international community.

They also discussed the continuation of cooperation in the field of education and health.