The fact that Macedonia and Finland are two friendly countries having no outstanding issues opens a wide field to improve and enhance overall cooperation. Our priority is to strengthen the cooperation in connection to the interior ministries, Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska said after a meeting Friday with her Finnish counterpart Paivi Rasanen.

Both ministers at the meeting in Skopje discussed numerous initiatives and proposals to strengthen the cooperation, Finland's experience especially in relation to Macedonia's EU integration bid as well as projects that could be realised in the areas administered by the interior ministers.

"Migration trends was also one of the key topics for discussion i.e. the problems Macedonia is facing and the issues tackled by the EU. It was concluded that only with joint and coordinated activity these problems can be solved and controlled," Jankuloska said.

Minister Rasanen urged Macedonia to pursue implementing reforms that would lead to prompt integration into the EU. Finland is interested in cooperation with Macedonia in areas related to emigration, asylum, human trafficking...

"Finland is particularly interested in assisting Macedonia to meet the criteria required to become a full-fledged EU member. The position of the Finnish government is that talks for Macedonian accession into the EU should be opened," said Rasanen, who is paying her first official visit to Macedonia.