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President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with President Gjorge Ivanov of the Republic of Macedonia to discuss the opportunities for cooperation in economic, agricultural, cultural and scientific areas, as well as Macedonia’s integration into the European Union and NATO. The leaders of both countries have agreed to strengthen interstate relations and to exploit the full potential of bilateral and cross-border cooperation.

During the meeting at the Presidential Palace, the representatives from the Ministries of Culture of Lithuania and Macedonia signed a bilateral agreement on enhancing cooperation in the field of culture.

The Lithuanian President has stressed that Lithuania supports the EU and NATO membership aspirations of Macedonia. Lithuania also supports the dialogue between Macedonia and Greece in their attempt to agree on Macedonia’s name and will uphold the decision which is acceptable to both sides, she said.

“As we mark the eighth anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the European Union today, we sincerely support you in your aspirations and are ready to help. Lithuania will always, wherever possible, offer a helping hand to Macedonia. Macedonia's progress is the straightest way to get closer to Europe and become a NATO member,” the President said.

In discussing the bilateral relations Dalia Grybauskaitė highlighted the vast potential of the two countries to enhance these relations in various spheres. Perspectives areas of cooperation include business, trade, agriculture, science and studies. This month, the international exhibition for agriculture and food industry AgroBalt will be also attended, for the first time, by Macedonian representatives. During the exhibition, a bilateral protocol on cooperation in agriculture and related sectors will be signed between the Ministries of Agriculture.

This is the first meeting of the leaders of Lithuania and Macedonia after twelve years.