Latvia will endorse Macedonia's membership to NATO at the upcoming summit in Chicago and puts its experience at Macedonia's disposal regarding the country's EU integration bid, Latvian President Andris Berzins said on Friday in Riga at a joint press conference with his Macedonian counterpart Gjorge Ivanov.

President Ivanov is paying his first official visit to the Baltic state.

"Latvia is prepared to back Macedonia's accession to NATO because its contribution, especially within international peace forces, is huge. I personally highlighted this during my visit to Afghanistan in one of the hospitals, where I met with the Macedonian medical staff. They play a significant role in Afghanistan and in the processes taking place there as of 2002," President Berzins said when asked whether Latvia was prepared to raise the Macedonia issue at the Chicago summit taking into account the judgement of the International Court of Justice, which is in favour of Macedonia.

At the meeting, both presidents discussed ways to enhance and advance bilateral ties, the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia as well as the name dispute imposed by Greece.

"We discussed the name issue, being an obstacle to our integration into NATO and EU. We expect support and assistance from our friends at the forthcoming summit in Chicago provided that the issue of enlargement or Macedonia's membership is raised. I hope this visit will benefit the favourable bilateral relations and that our governments will start cooperating intensively. Hopefully, agreements will be signed in order our citizens, businessmen, students to find an interest in mutual cooperation in a bid our countries to progress and use the potential that they own," President Ivanov said thanking for Latvia's ongoing support.

Asked by a Latvian reporter whether a progress had been made in solving the name row, Ivanov noted that despite Macedonia's initiatives, Greece failed to show optimism that a name row settlement was going to be found soon.

"We are launching many initiatives, because we are affected. Unfortunately, the other party is not making optimistic announcements that a prompt solution is possible. The UN envoy, mediator Matthew Nimetz has visited Macedonia and Greece and met with countries' top officials. However, due to the current situation in Greece and the upcoming elections, we are not expecting to receive a positive and affirmative answer," Ivanov stressed.

His Latvian counterpart Berzins said that Macedonia since gaining independence in the 1990s till today had acquired enough experience and capacity to start accession talks with the EU.

"Latvia would be very happy to be able to assist you. Our experience could be very useful for you in order to avoid the mistakes we've made," Berzins said.

Talks of the two presidents focused on economic cooperation and ways to strengthen it.

"Unfortunately, bilateral economic cooperation is at symbolic level. Therefore, we need to make room for businessmen to make efforts and to boost trade cooperation," President Ivanov stated adding that they also discussed cooperation in culture and education.

The presidents of Macedonia and Latvia have held their first meeting following a 10-year hiatus.

The Macedonian President held a working lunch with Latvian PM Valdis Dombrovskis, who expressed utmost preparedness to bolster cooperation with the Macedonian government in all spheres, including economy, education, culture, health and justice. Dombrovskis voiced readiness to share Latvia's experience with respect to the EU accession talks and use of European funds.

President Ivanov asked Latvia's support for the Macedonian membership into NATO and EU to be resumed and intensified in a bid to unblock the country's Euro-Atlantic integration. Interlocutors also discussed the name row with Greece as well as Macedonia's expectations from the NATO summit in May and the Council of EU in June.

The delegation led by Ivanov also includes Transport Minister Mile Janakieski, who signed an agreement for international road transport, enabling the liberalization of bilateral and transit transport of commodities with this counterpart Aivis Ronis.

On Saturday, Ivanov is scheduled to meet with Latvia's Parliament Speaker Solvita Aboltina.

After Latvia, Ivanov will resume his Baltic tour with a visit to Lithuania as part of his efforts to lobby ahead of the NATO summit in Chicago.