Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in Ankara on Thursday that Turkey was a true friend that Macedonia could always count on. President Erdogan said he was glad that PM Gruevski had been presenting Macedonia as an investment destination in Turkey over the past few days and stressed his support for Macedonia and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, Utrinski vesnik reports.

"Along this path, you can find a friend in Turkey," he said.

Similar assessments came from Prime Minister Davutoglu, too. He deemed Prime Minister Gruevski's visit as important because it was the first visit of a foreign prime minister since his appointment to the new office.

"Our relations with Macedonia are good and friendly. Also, we have historical ties. These good connections have an effect on the economic and political relations as well," Davutoglu said at the press conference he held together with his Macedonian counterpart. "Turkey supports Macedonia's bid for joining NATO and the EU and we hope one day we will be in the EU together."

Prime Minister Gruevski congratulated President Erdogan on his electoral win and wished him success in leading the country forward. He also underlined that bilateral relations were excellent while the frequent political meetings were confirmation of the long-standing friendship between the two countries.