Deputy PM in charge of economic affairs Vladimir Pesevski and Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska held talks on Thursday with the Head of the Western Balkans and Enlargement  Directorate at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Owen Jenkins. He was accompanied at the meeting by the UK Ambassador to Macedonia, Charles Garrett.

The interlocutors pinpointed the favourable bilateral ties underscoring the importance of Great Britain as a two-decade consistent, principled and credible strategic partner of Macedonia providing constant political and technical assistance for capacity building in the country, Pesevski's office said in a press release.

The Deputy PM expressed gratitude for the support provided by Great Britain for Macedonia in its Euro-Atlantic integration process saying that every endorsement on that road was an expression of friendship and partnership.

Topics in relation to the economy were also discussed at the meeting.

Great Britain is an important trade partner of Macedonia. Macedonia's total international trade with Great Britain in 2013 stood at 806 million dollars.

In this respect, the interlocutors discussed the reforms and projects aimed at increasing the competitiveness of domestic economy and at stimulating economic growth as well as ways to further promote Macedonia as an attractive destination for investments by British companies.

Jenkins pointed out Great Britain's support of the EU enlargement process encouraging the Macedonian government to continue pursuing reforms that were necessary in meeting European standards, but also that were equally important in advancing the status and wellbeing of citizens. Continuous orientation toward European values is the right path for Macedonia, he concluded.