Bulgaria would support Macedonia on its way to joining Nato and the European Union (EU) with necessary expert help, Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov said.

On November 29, Purvanov met with Macedonian prime minister Nikola Grouevski, a media statement from the President's press office said.

Purvanov said he was certain that the Macedonian institutions would continue their work towards the country joining Nato and the EU, which was yet another argument in support of a European future for Macedonia and other countries on the western Balkans.

Purvanov expressed his hope that meetings Grouevski would have with Bulgarian institutions, would increase the trust between the two countries.

Collective efforts of the two countries should be directed towards further development of political, economical and cultural relations between the two countries.

Grouevski said he agreed that problems should be solved and all possibilities for co-operation in all areas of public-political life should be used. The two countries should support and stimulate mutual investment interests.

He said work was being done to meet Nato standards and Macedonia was hoping for the support of Bulgaria in this. At the same time, reforms were under way, which would enable Macedonia to meet criteria for EU membership, Grouevski added.

Subjects of discussion during the meetings was future development of European and regional infrastructural projects, the media statement said.