Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi met Monday with renowned analyst Daniel Serwer, university professor and former director for the Balkans at the Washington-based Institute of Peace.

Besimi and Serwer exchanged opinions over regional developments and Macedonia's NATO and EU integration process, the Defense Ministry said in a press release.

Minister Besimi briefed Serwer on the Macedonian Army contribution in international peacekeeping missions.

Interlocutors agreed that acceleration of Macedonia and region's Euro-Atlantic integration process is the only alternative for long-term peace and stability in the area, leading to increased perspective for all citizens, reads the press release.