Russia FM, Macedonia leaders to discuss coop'n prospects

OCHRID, Macedonia, April 20 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Minister of Foreign
Affairs Sergei Lavrov leaves Podgorica, Montenegro, for Ochrid on
Wednesday for meetings with the Foreign minister, Premier, and President
of Macedonia. Ochrid is an ancient and picturesque city in Macedonia's
south-west. It is notable for a multitude of Orthodox churches and
therefore is referred to as a "Balkan Jerusalem".
Lavrov's visit to Macedonia is timed to coincide with the 150th
anniversary of the opening of the Imperial Consulate -- the first
official representative office of Russia in this part of the Balkans,
which at that time was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Within the scope of the planned meetings, the sides are to discuss
ways to step up trade-and-economic contacts, interaciton in the
fuel-and-energy and investment sectors, and exchange views on the
situation in the Balkans. Moscow analysts point out, "Relations between
the two countries follow an upward trend". The political dialogue
"develops dynamically", RF Ministry analysts emphasize,
Expert estimate is that Russia remain one of major trading partners of
the republic. Trade turnover between the two countries in 2010 ran at $579
milllion, a 12-percent increase as compared with that in 2009.
Investments-related interaction with Macedonia focuses mainly on oil and
gas, mining, and electric power sectors. Cumulated Russian investments in
the Macedonian economy amount to about $300 million.
In June last year, an intergovernmental agreement on a settlement of
the so-called clearing debt (RF indebtedness to Macedonia on settlements
connected with trade turnover between the former Soviet Union and
Yugoslavia) amounting to $60.5 million. The funds are to be used for the
construction of a gas trunkline section in the republic by Russian
companies.
RF Foreign Ministry analysts also draw attention to a high level of
bilateral interaction in the fields of science and education. A Days of
Russian spiritual culture festival was a great success in Macedonia in
September 2010. A similar festival is expected to be held in Russia in
autumn this year.