SKOPJE (ANA-MPA / N. Frangopoulos) -- The president of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM), Gjorge Ivanov, has invited President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias to formally visit the neighbouring country.

Ivanov conveyed the invitation to Amb. Alexandra Papadopoulou, who heads Greece's liaison office in Skopje.

The invitation underlined that a visit by Papoulias, the date of which is left open to be decided by the latter, will give a "strong boost" to the strengthening of good-neighbourly relations.

The fYRoM head of state also mentioned that he is "deeply convinced that in bilateral relations of the two neighbouring countries, things that unite us and bring us closer together are more than those that divide us."

Ivanov also expressed hope that Papoulias will accept the invitation. 

Caption: ANA-MPA / EPA file photo of fYRoM President of Gjorge Ivanov.