PM Gruevski meets Speaker of Australian House of Representatives

Skopje, December 14 (MIA) - Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the Speaker of Australian House of Representatives, Harry Jenkins, expressed satisfaction Monday with the good relations between the two friendly countries, the government's information service said in a press release.

Australia is rather significant for Macedonia as many of its citizens live and work there, Gruevski said at the meeting.

In this respect, Gruevski mentioned the recent signing of a bilateral agreement on social insurance, under which people who spend part of their lives in Australia are entitled to pension in both countries. The document is a step forward to developing the relations between the two countries, Gruevski said.

There are also possibilities for boosting the economic cooperation, the PM said.

Gruevski briefed the high Australian guest on Macedonia's progress towards NATO, the EU membership, ongoing reforms, forthcoming introduction of free visa regime.

Australia wishes to see Macedonia as full-fledged EU, NATO member, Jenkins said, praising the participation of Macedonian soldiers in Afghan peace mission.