Gjorge Ivanov - Sergio Mattarella: EU Not Complete without Balkan Region
Italy is a friend and supporter not only of Macedonia but of our whole region, as EU cannot be complete without the Balkan region, President Gjorge Ivanov told reporters on Tuesday in Rome after meeting his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella.
Ivanov and Mattarella, inter alia, discussed on the stalemate of Macedonia's process for joining NATO and the obstacles on this road.
"Italy affirmed its commitment to keep supporting Macedonia, as it deserves a membership status considering its accomplishments to that effect," Ivanov said.
In addition to voicing support of Macedonia's bid to join the Euro-Atlantic organizations, Mattarella said the political crisis in the country was a result of the obstacles on its road to EU and NATO.
"President Mattarella clearly expressed his position, namely that Italy supports Macedonia and is doing everything for Macedonia to get what it deserves. Regardless of the political crisis, Italian authorities are aware that what has been happening in Macedonia is a result of the regular obstacles we have been facing on that road," Ivanov said.
Ivanov and Mattarella also shared opinions on the migrant crisis and the plan for dealing with the situation, presented recently by European Commission's President Jean-Claude Juncker. They agreed on the need of EU unified strategy and coordinated international action for resolving the problem.
"Italy has been also dealing with an inflow of migrants pouring in from Africa. We thanked Italy, as the only assistance we have gotten thus far came exactly from this country. The Italian Government granted EUR 90,000 in humanitarian aid to Macedonia's Red Cross for the refugees and migrants transiting the country," Ivanov said.
