TIRANA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Heads of state from central and southeast European countries gathered on Friday in Ohrid, a lakeside resort in southern Macedonia, for a two-day summit.

    Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski hosts the event, which brings together delegations from 19 countries. A total of 17 heads of state are expected to attend.

    The participants will discuss the enlargement process of the European Union and its impact on national economies. They will also talk about the energy issue and challenges facing the region.

    The summit is an informal, non-institutionalized political forum of the heads of state from central and southeast European countries.

    Its first meeting was held in Salzburg, Austria, in 1993. Over the years, it has expanded over the years to include Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

    Macedonia did not invite Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu to the meeting. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17 this year.

    Crvenkovski explained that Kosovo was not invited because participants of the meeting did not reach consensus on its independence.

    He also said that Macedonia has not recognized Kosovo's independence either.

    Turkish President Abdullah Gul is now on a state visit to Macedonia. He will attend the meeting as a special guest.