SKOPJE, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said here Sunday that his country will continue to provide unwavering support to Macedonia in its bid to join the European Union and NATO.
At a joint press conference with his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Dimitrov, the Turkish foreign minister said he strongly believed that Macedonia deserves that.
Cavusoglu on Sunday paid a working visit to Macedonia where he met with Macedonia's senior officials to exchange opinions on bilateral relations and possibilities for enhancement of the cooperation in many fields, especially in the economic sector, a press statement of Macedonia's foreign ministry said.
Cavusoglu also noted that Ankara would support any solution acceptable to Macedonia and Greece regard to their name dispute, adding that Macedonia's decision is important in this aspect.
Athens and Skopje are at odds over the use of the name of Macedonia since Greece's northern neighbor broke away from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Macedonia is the name of a northern province in Greece and Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.
Greece has ruled out backing Macedonia for NATO and the EU membership until both sides reach an agreement over the name dispute.
Earlier, Turkish FM Cavusoglu was received by Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov where they discussed further enhancement of bilateral relations and cooperation.
They both expressed satisfaction from the traditional friendship and partnership, as well as the intensive communication in all spheres of mutual interest, Presidents press office informed.
According to the press release, President Ivanov stressed that Macedonia highly valued Turkey's support over the use of the country's constitutional name and its NATO accession.
Ivanov told the Turkish foreign minister that following the political crisis settlement, it was time to create a fresh incentive over Macedonia's NATO membership.
During a meeting, the two leaders focused on the need for information exchange between police and intelligence services, undertaking of joint operations, and finding effective means and methods for prevention and fight against the spreading of violent extremism and terrorism, the President's office said in a press release.
