Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Poposki met Monday with Israeli Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman as he is paying an official visit to the State of Israel.

At the meeting, both interlocutors shared views related to countries' relations and discussed current developments in Southeast Europe and the Middle East, MoFA says in a press release.

"FM Poposki informed him about Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration processes underlying country's commitment to finding a solution aimed at settling differences involving the name dispute with Greece, for which UN-brokered negotiations are held. Israel's official voiced strong support for Macedonia on its road to becoming a full-fledged member of NATO and in launching membership talks with the EU as soon as possible," states the press release.

Interlocutors agreed to wrap up activities with regard to the signing of an agreement for avoiding double taxation and a treaty for promoting and protecting investments. It was concluded that Macedonia and Israel have established a strong partnership in the field of agriculture - a sector which is of crucial importance for Macedonia's economy. As a result, Minister Poposki expressed gratitude for the technical assistance provided for Macedonia through programmes by Israel’s Agency for International Cooperation (MASHAV) and projects.

Interest has been also shown in bolstering cooperation in education and culture, research and development.

In the course of his visit, FM Poposki held a meeting with a group of Israeli businessmen, which was organised by the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce. Talks focused on Macedonia's investment benefits offered to foreign companies and on promoting country's export capacities. At the meeting, Poposki extended an open invitation to the Israeli businessmen to visit Macedonia and to use its opportunities to invest in the country, says the press release.

During his stay in Jerusalem, Poposki visited the Yad Vashem Museum to lay flowers and pay respect to the victims of the Holocaust. He also delivered a lecture at the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace in Jerusalem in which the Minister presented Macedonia's main priorities considering its foreign policy.