"Turkey is continuing with its support to Macedonia towards NATO and European integration," Sezer told reporters after holding talks here with Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski.

Macedonia has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace programme and reached a stabilisation agreement with the EU, both considered key steps toward full membership of the two organisations.

The two presidents discussed regional and bilateral issues, especially the need for better economic cooperation, Sezer said.

Sezer is in Macedonia on a three-day visit, during which he is also due to meet Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski and representatives of the Turkish minority, which makes up more than four percent of Macedonia's population of two million.

Turkey is a member of NATO and hopes to join the EU.

WAR.WIRE