Turkish Foreign Minister Visits Macedonia

The two sides will focus on a series of important issues regarding the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, the countries' European Union integration processes, as well as developments in the region.

In addition to talks with his host, Davutoglu is also set to meet President Georgi Ivanov, Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

Davutoglu will also meet representatives of the parliament's Macedonia-Turkey Friendship Group, and he is scheduled to give a speech on "Turkey's Foreign Policy and the Balkans" in Skopje.

During his visit Dayutoglu will attend the formal opening of Turkey's Honorary Consulate in the southwestern town of Ohrid. He will also visit the memorial room of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in the southern town of Bitola and see the Painted Mosque in the northwestern town Tetovo, a heritage site from the period when the Ottoman Empire ruled the Balkans.

Turkey is considered one of the greatest supporters of Macedonia’s efforts to become a NATO member. Although political relations between the two states are seen as exceptionally warm, observers note that  economic cooperation lags behind.