Macedonia and Albania have good bilateral relations and mutual wish for their enhancement, especially in the economic field, which is in the interest of both countries and the entire region, agreed Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Albanian counterpart Edi Rama at Wednesday's meeting in Skopje.

"Macedonia remains proactive in the enhancement of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation. We believe that all challenges can be overcome through constructive policy in the spirit of European cooperation and good neighborly spirit, based on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of challenges with open dialogue", said PM Gruevski.

Interlocutors agreed there is continuity in political dialogue, mutual respect and trust, as well as proper cooperation in regional terms.

Gruevski and Rama focused on the need for intensification and strengthening of economic cooperation in road and railway infrastructure, along with a number of projects in the energy field.

PM Rama said Albania attached special significance to relations with Macedonia, as well as the country's territorial integrity, which was of essential importance to the movement of the entire region towards the European Union.

"Albania is interested in intensive relations with neighbors. When it comes to Macedonia, in all areas. We are prepared to open new paths of cooperation in strengthening the economic cooperation through concrete ideas and projects for mutual development", added Rama.

With regards to the rights of Albanians in Macedonia, he stressed they are engaged in all political processes and represented in the Government.

"It is important that the Ohrid Agreement is the starting point in Macedonia's internal political process as a way to move forward towards the country's success, which Albania fully supports", said Rama.

He did not specify what Albania would do towards enhancement of rights of Macedonians in the country.

"Albania will do everything to improve the life of every citizen in the country. This is an engagement that Albania had, has and will have, regardless of the party in power", PM Rama told journalists.

He said the future is common and the region should develop in this way.

"We should all be calm, reasonable and aware of the political processes dictated by the times we live in. Each expression of intolerance and violence is a step backwards in these processes. We support Macedonia's EU and NATO integration, and champion the idea that the common future of this region is in united Europe, where borders become irrelevant when it comes to the well-being of all", added Rama.

He did not say whether Albania would recognize Macedonia under its constitutional name any time soon, adding they support any solution regarding the name row with Greece.

"We are convinced the issue could be overcome with a good will", stressed Rama.

With regards to his recent meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Tirana, Rama said he did not come to Macedonia to convey messages.

"I came to talk openly as a friend and a neighbor", underlined the Albanian PM.

Later in the day, PM Rama is scheduled to meet with President Gjorge Ivanov, Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski, as well as DUI and DPA leaders, Ali Ahmeti and Menduh Thaci respectively.