Skopje - Ireland and Macedonia agreed yesterday to support each other in international organisations and institutions and to develop the economic links between them.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, who arrived in Skopje yesterday at the end of his Balkans tour, said he had received a promise from his Macedonian counterpart, Mr Aleksandar Dimitrov, of support for Ireland's bid to become a member of the UN Security Council.
"Ireland seeks non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2001-2002," he said.
"The election is to be next October and I asked the minister for his country's support. He very generously offered that support," he added.
Mr Andrews promised Macedonia in turn that Ireland would "firmly support an agreement for stabilisation and association with the EU".
Macedonia is to begin negotiations soon for EU membership.
