Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov paid a visit to Istanbul where he met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

At the meetings collocutors uttered positive trend in development of bilateral relations and cooperation thus expressing satisfaction from high level of political relations between Macedonia and Turkey which are characterised with spirit of friendship, high level of trust and absence of open issues, sources of the Cabinet of President Gjorge Ivanov said in a press release.

Central topic of two meetings was exchange of opinions on situation with Macedonia's integration in NATO ahead of Chicago Summit.

President Ivanov thanked for the support that Macedonia receives from Turkey in the NATO and underlined that Macedonia met all requirements and expects the deserved NATO membership.

President Gul and PM Erdogan emphasised that Republic of Macedonia can always count on unreserved support from the Republic of Turkey. They also discussed regional issues at the meetings.