GERMANY: Merkel has "high interest in thriving Macedonia," Macedonia hopes to get continued support during Germany's EU presidency.
- 00:00:09
- ITN Source
GERMANY: Merkel has "high interest in thriving Macedonia," Macedonia hopes to get continued support during Germany's EU presidency.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said ahead of Monday's (October 16) meeting with Macedonia's newly elected prime minister Nikola Gruevski that Germany had "a high interest in a thriving development of Macedonia." "Our talks today will focus on issues of co-operation, the economic development and the stabilisation of the country," Merkel told reporters after receiving Gruevski with military honours on his first trip abroad in his new position. Merkel added:"We want to do everything we can so that Macedonia is on a good path into the future." Gruevski said they had high hopes and expectations, for when Germany takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union on January 1 next year. "We hope that during this time we will be encouraged as a government to continue our efforts towards a democratic, multi-ethnic society, a developed market economy and we hope that our efforts will be seen as a sign of encouragement on our way into the European Union," Gruevski said before the two leaders began talks at the chancellor's office. Gruevkski's trip is to seek strong support from Germany in the process of Macedonia's integration into EU.
ITN Source | October 19, 2006
