Premier Nikola Gruevski and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu expressed satisfaction Friday in Skopje with the excellent bilateral relations, long friendship, based on mutual respect, support and promotion of common goals and interests.

Gruevski and Davutoglu hailed the positive decision Turkey's Embassy in Skopje to be new NATO contact point for Macedonia. They also welcomed today's signing of an agreement on establishing of cultural-information centers of both countries in Skopje and Istanbul, which will advance the cooperation in this sphere.

Gruevski briefed his host about the ongoing Government's reforms for advancing all spheres of social life, which have been also recognized by the European Commission. Turkey, he said, is significant supporter of Macedonia's national interests, as well as promoter for realization of the common values and goals for the EU integration of Southeast Europe.

The two countries have been also nourishing excellent economic ties that bring concrete direct investments, Gruevski said. The fruitful economic cooperation have turned into construction of factories in Macedonia, which expects arrival of other investors from Turkey in the near future. These business activities offer possibilities for new jobs and bolstering of the bilateral economic cooperation and trade exchange, he said.

Turkey remains Macedonia's active business partner and strong supporter in terms of the Euro-Atlantic integration and realization of the mutual strategic interests, Davutoglu said. Turkey appreciates and hails Macedonia's progress in this respect, he added.

Turkey's Government, he said, aims for the bilateral trade exchange to reach US$ one billion. PM Gruevski's tour in six Turkish cities this year for promoting the opportunities for investing in Macedonia has contributed substantially to realizing the investment projects and boosting the economic cooperation, Davutoglu said.