Monday, 19th October 2009, Geneva
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, met the Deputy Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Ms. Teresa Cunillera i Mestres
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, who is attending the 121st IPU Assembly in Geneva, had a meeting with the Deputy Speaker of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Ms. Teresa Cunillera i Mestres. Mr. Veljanoski expressed his satisfaction with the positive trends in the development of the relations between Macedonia and Spain.
President Veljanoski informed Ms. Mestres that last week Macedonia received a positive Progress Report from the European Commission, which contains recommendation for opening the accession negotiations. He pointed out that Macedonia continues with the process of further democratization and with the implementation of necessary reforms. The President asked for support from the Kingdom of Spain during the decision making process in the Council of Ministers, especially concerning the date for opening the accession negotiations with the EU. Having in mind the fact that Spain will be the next country holding the Presidency with the EU, during the first half of 2010, Mr. Veljanoski expressed hope that the enlargement process will remain high on the agenda of the Spanish Presidency.
Ms. Teresa Cunillera i Mestres said that Spain is a pro-European country engaged in the world peace processes. She believes that the enlargement process will significantly contribute to the stabilization of the Balkans.
President Veljanoski and Ms. Cunillera i Mestres agreed that there is a need for intensification of the bilateral relations on the level of Governments and Parliaments, especially during the Spanish Presidency with the Union.
They both expressed hope that the inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries will be strengthened in future, with visits on highest parliamentary level.