The meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg is an impulse for the countries' economic cooperation, because we got a positive reaction for Macedonia's inclusion into the South Stream energy project and the gasification project in the country, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski stated Thursday after the meeting.

"I've had the opportunity with Putin to share views on several issues and in a way to give an impulse to our future economic cooperation. The meeting is an incentive for our economic collaboration. We got a positive reaction on Macedonia's inclusion into the South Stream project, i.e. the gas pipeline to pass through Macedonia, which is seen as a fresh opportunity for the country. At the same time, the implementation of the gas infrastructure  project in Macedonia was positively evaluated. Hopefully, we will manage to launch the project by the end of the year," PM Gruevski stated.

He added that talks also focused on future cooperation and relations with Gazprom company. "I've told him that we nourish good relations and that future projects are in the works. Thus, Putin gave us full support," Macedonia's PM said.

Gruevski also referred to the presentations of Macedonia's investment benefits held in Russia in the past four days.

"Business presentations were held in four different cities basically in Russia before a number of investors willing to invest in Macedonia. The country now is offering excellent conditions for investors, for starting up businesses and an excellent business climate. We want the interest to be translated into concrete investments," PM Gruevski stated adding that the meeting was positive.

The PM formally opened the Macedonian Honorary Consulate in Saint Petersburg. He is due to meet with the Governor of the Leningrad Region, Alexander Drozdenko.