Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski met with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, during his visit on Sunday. Gruevski and Tusk discussed the prospects for Macedonian Euro-integration, the reforms that are on-going in Macedonia and the challenges connected with the refugee and migrant crisis.

"Prime Minister Gruevski said that the strategic goal of the Government is to integrate the country in the European Union and NATO and expressed his readiness to implement reforms to advance European standards in all areas of the society. The desire to improve good-neighborly relations and to overcome the external challenges that hinder the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, was also expressed", the Prime Minister's office informed following the meeting. Macedonia has been a candidate country for EU membership since 2005 and was supposed to join NATO in 2008, but due to Greek objections over the so-called name issue, it has not been able to join either institution.

Discussing the dramatic refugee crisis, Prime Minister Gruevski said that Macedonia has seen over 600.000 people transit since the beginning of the crisis, with Macedonian institutions providing the appropriate logistics, humanitarian and healthcare treatment to them. According to the press release, Tusk and Gruevski agreed that Macedonia is in a particular situation, given that the refugees enter from Greece, an EU member. "This requires greater engagement and coordination between the domestic and European institutions during the transit. It was also pointed out that the Republic of Macedonia can't act differently in comparison to other countries that are along the Balkan refugee route, as this would create pressure on the financial, institutional and organizational capabilities of the country", the press release informed. Macedonia was forced to close its border for economic migrants, allowing through only refugees from war torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, after a number of countries north along the route did the same.

Prime Minister Gruevski said that, in line with the new conditions on the ground, Macedonia has full right and obligations to protect its national interests, and that the Government is prepared to take steps to channel the flow of refugees in line with the recent conclusions of the National Security Council that provides preparations to build a border fence. The Prime Minister also called for a greater engagement from the EU Frontex police system on the border with Greece, that would allow to reduce security risks connected with the flow of refugees. On the Macedonian part, President Tusk was informed that the country is prepared to temporarily host up to 2.000 refugees. President Tusk said that the European Union is willing to provide Macedonia with logistical, humanitarian and technical assistance.