On the sidelines of the European People's Party congress in Marseilles, Premier Nikola Gruevski met with Tim Pawlenty, who serves as a national co-chair of the campaign of US Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. Gruevski also held a meeting with Judy Van Rest, executive vice president for the International Republican Institute (IRI) and with Jan Surotchak, IRI regional program director for Europe.

Tim Pawlenty was a Republican candidate for President of the United States  in the 2012 election from May to August 2011.

Interlocutors praised the excellent political relations between Macedonia and the United States and shared viewpoints on several issues of joint interest, the government says in a press release. They also discussed Macedonia's reforms made in achieving its aspiration for NATO membership with US support. Moreover, Macedonian peacekeeping troops serving in NATO-led missions were highly commended by the interlocutors.

They also discussed the judgment delivered by the Hague International Court of Justice and its significance in Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration bid and in overcoming hurdles on that path.

PM Gruevski on the sidelines of the summit held talks with his Swedish counterpart Fredrik Reinfeldt for discussions on chances to tackle the euro zone crisis, to manage its consequences and on issues related to Macedonia's EU integration.