Saturday, 21 December 2019
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT XHAFERI AT THE SYMPOSIUM “THE LOST VALUES OF TURKISH CULTURE IN THE BALKANS AND EASTERN EUROPE“
Distinguished President of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Şentop,
Dear President of Matusiteb, Mr. Emin,
Your Excellency Sekizkök,
Distinguished participants in the symposium,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my honor and pleasure to have the opportunity, on behalf of the Members of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia and on my own behalf to welcome the opening of this important symposium entitled "The Lost Values of Turkish Culture in the Balkans and Eastern Europe", and to greet the Honorable President of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Şentop. I would like to seize this opportunity and congratulate you, my dear colleague, and all the present here, as well as our fellow citizens of the Turkish community, on December 21, the Turkish Language Day in the Republic of North Macedonia. This is one of the holidays established by the Law on Holidays of the Republic of North Macedonia, which shows respect to all communities that are an integral part of the country's social fabric. I want to emphasize that the wealth of multi-ethnic societies lies precisely in the wealth of languages, cultures, traditions and, of course, the values that represent the identity and uniqueness of each community separately and are its trademark, and in our country this is reflected in a great way.
However, today I will not talk about the expert part of the topic, I will leave that to the esteemed guests of the academic community, but instead I will focus on my responsibilities as President of the Legislature of the Republic of North Macedonia. I would like to 
reaffirm something I have said many times before, from the time I took office as President of the Assembly, that I will direct my unreserved engagement in my work to parliamentary diplomacy, by establishing parliamentary relations and cooperation where there are none, reviving them where already established but lacking any significant momentum, and deepening and elevating the relations and cooperation where they are at an excellent level, as, I would say, between the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey. The latter are characterized by fruitful cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, within the international parliamentary assemblies where the two legislative houses are members while the Delegations of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia regularly support the candidacies of Turkish MPs for members of the executive bodies of those assemblies. In my agenda, however tight it is, there is always room, because there is always a will and fatigue is never an excuse, to participate, to establish direct contacts and to promote the activity of the legislature in the direction of building a real home of democracy, a protector of the accepted universal rights and freedoms of people and citizens, a place where all citizens' voices are heard equally through their representatives, regardless of their ethnic, religious, party, cultural, social or gender background. In this context is today's visit and meeting with my respected colleague from Turkey, and I hope that in future, mutual meetings and visits at the highest state level will result in making arrangements and concluding hundreds of other agreements that are the necessary legal framework for the smooth conduct of political affairs, as well as economic and all other relations. I would gladly conclude that for friendly, kin and all relations between ordinary citizens of both countries, nothing could be added, that is, the ties are so strong, historical, traditional and warm, and they can serve as an example for all countries in the region.
Distinguished,
The Republic of North Macedonia is strongly committed to its Euro-Atlantic integration and to the promotion of NATO's shared values and responsibilities as its 30th member state, and on this soon-to-be-crowned path, we have received unconditional support from 
all member states and therefore, I would like to take this opportunity and the presence of my colleague Şentop, and express my gratitude to the Turkish Assembly for the ratification of the Protocol for the accession of the Republic of North Macedonia to NATO, which is an act of sincere support and will additionally be a continuation of the cooperation in the field of defence.
Dear All,
The possibilities for mutual support and cooperation are endless when it comes to traditionally sincere and good friendships based on genuine values with citizens of both countries being the bridge, and such relationships can only be stronger and of course, for the benefit of the citizens.
Distinguished, thank you for your attention!