Excellent bilateral cooperation in the defense field represents a foundation for its future enlargement in regional terms and with regards to Euro-Atlantic integration, agreed Macedonia and Bosnia&Herzegovina Defense Ministers, Fatmir Besimi and Selmo Cikotic respectively, after Monday's meeting in Skopje.

Interlocutors agreed that Euro-Atlantic integration is the best alternative for sustainable peace and development in the region.

Besimi and Cikotic announced closer cooperation between the countries' ministries and referred to the 'smart defense' concept, aimed towards modernization of all regional states in line with NATO standards.

"A more transparent and more efficient way needs to be secured towards modernization of public procurements in the defense sector of regional countries. This will probably be a topic of discussion at the Adriatic Group meeting in Durres this week", said Minister Besimi.

Cikotic stressed bilateral cooperation with Macedonia should continue through strengthened activities in the Sarajevo-based Peace Support Operations Training Center.

"The Balkan region, including B&H and Macedonia, should not be the periphery of Europe as is the case now, but represent a link between Europe and Asia, Mediterranean and the heart of the continent", said Minister Cikotic.

With regards to the ICJ judgment, Besimi stressed Macedonia has a clear strategic goal - Euro-Atlantic integration, an objective that is consistent and enjoys a vast support of over ninety percent of Macedonia's citizens.

"We should not see this as a win-lose situation, but as a chance for a more constructive approach by both parties in overcoming this challenge, which should represent another advantage in increasing mutual trust between Macedonia and Greece. Ultimately, this is the sense of the whole Euro-Atlantic integration as a global concept - strengthening of mutual trust among member-states", emphasized Besimi.

He added that Macedonia was a good and relevant partner, a country favoring peace, cooperation and constructiveness.

"If Macedonia and other regional countries become NATO members, everyone will benefit", underlined Defense Minister Besimi.