Nikolic,Ivanov: We need to enhance cooperation at all levels

BELGRADE - President of the Republic of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov arrived on an official visit to Serbia on Friday at the invitation of his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic.

President Ivanov received a ceremonial welcome in front of the Palace of Serbia, and the meeting between the two presidents will be followed by the talks between the two countries' delegations.

Nikolic and Ivanov agreed Friday that the two countries should upgrade and intensify relations in all spheres of joint interest, especially when it comes to infrastructure and the economy.

Nikolic told a joint press conference that cooperation between the two countries was good and friendly relations were developing in the spirit of good neighborly relations and with a good political dialogue at the highest level.

"Serbia is grateful to Macedonia for its aid and assistance during the floods (that hit Serbia) in May and September," the Serbian president said, pointing out that Macedonia had first donated a sum of EUR 370,000 and then EUR 175,000 in cash.

Macedonia provided us with additional EUR 100,000 at the donors' conference for the flood-stricken Balkans, Nikolic said.

Speaking about economic cooperation, the Serbian president pointed out that Serbia was among Macedonia's biggest trade partners, with the 2013 trade volume between them up 40 percent against the year before.

"A new agreement that should be signed at the next meeting of the two governments will give a significant new impetus to economic cooperation," Nikolic said.

Nikolic pointed out that President Ivanov had confirmed Macedonia was interested in improving infrastructure of roads leading to Serbia and in completing the works on Corridor 10 as soon...