Ohrid, Macedonia, June 9 (CTK special correspondent) – Czech President Milos Zeman supported Skopje’s effort to enter NATO and the EU yesterday and he thanked Macedonia for defending Europe faced with migrant crisis, he told journalists after meeting his Macedonian counterpart Gjorge Ivanov.
“I have come to Macedonia to express my respect and admiration for the Macedonian people who face the migrant crisis on the border with Greece,” Zeman said.
“That is why I would like to fully support Macedonia’s effort to join the EU and NATO, since I believe that in the recent migrant crisis, Macedonia has shown far more courage than some members of the two organisations,” Zeman said.
Ivanov thanked Zeman and Czech leaders for help in tackling migration, and also for police and humanitarian support.
Zeman said the group of about 40 Czech police who have helped protect the Macedonian border will be replaced by their colleagues next week.
Further Czech help will depend on Macedonia’s possible requests, he said.
At the close of the press conference, Zeman thanked Macedonia for what it has done for the defence of Europe. By emphasising his thanks to “the Republic of Macedonia,” he obviously indicated his support for Macedonia in its dispute with Greece over the name “Macedonia.”
Zeman will stay in Macedonia until Friday, when he will visit a business seminar together with Ivanov.
Ivanov said the two countries should intensify their economic cooperation.
rtj/mr/pv
