Serbia has recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name and this position is not going to change, reads a joint communique of the Presidents of both countries, Boris Tadic and Gjorge Ivanov, released late Thursday after their meeting in Belgrade.

- The two President shared opinions on further development of the bilateral relations and development in the region. They reaffirmed each other support of the EU integration of their countries and in this respect commended Greece's initiative for all Western Balkan countries to join the Union by 2014, the communique reads.

Tadic welcomed the presence of Macedonia's state, church officials at the funeral of Patriarch Pavle.

Moreover, the President have encouraged a resumption of the church dialogue for settling the open issues, which is rather significant for further strengthening of the traditionally close ties between the two nations.

Tadic and Ivanov have different positions on Kosovo status, but share same interests in the region's stabilization.

Earlier today, Ivanov expressed deep disappointment with a statement of Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, who said that Belgrade supported Greece's stance on the name row with Macedonia.

Ivanov attended Thursday the funeral of Serbian Patriarch Pavle in Belgrade, upon an invitation from Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic.

Representatives of Ivanov's Cabinet say the Serbian FM's statement was "unfortunate", whereas Ivanov expressed regret that it overlapped with the invitation by Serbian President Tadic.

After the statement, the Macedonian President cancelled his attendance to Belgrade reception, arranged by Minister Jeremic for all foreign officials.

After a meeting with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, Jeremic said yesterday that his country supported Greece's position in the Macedonia name dispute and that Athens could count on Belgrade's support in that respect.