Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Statement of the Presidency of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the Decision on Visa Liberalization
Dear fellow citizens,
The visa liberalization, or the free movement of people, is part of the individual human rights and we should look at it in this way. In 18 days, the Shengen Wall will officially be torn down for our citizens, and the Macedonians will travel without visas and without having to wait in front of the embassies. We will be able to travel freely in Europe, where we belong, culturally and historically. This means that after 18 years we will be able to feel one the basic European principles.
Certainly, the credit for the visa liberalization and the recent Progress Report by the European Commission must go to you – the citizen of the Republic of Macedonia. It is a result of your overwhelming support for the realization of our strategic goal - the Euro- Atlantic Integration. At the same time, I would like to point out the role of the Assembly; both of the present composition, as well as the previous compositions that adopted the specific laws referring directly to the visa liberalization. I would also like to once again emphasize the work of every one sitting here in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, because the European Commission assessed our work as a big and qualitative step forward in the process of European Integration. I would like to express my gratitude to the MPs and to the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, since we are all working together and we are all responsible for the successful work and functioning of the Legislative House.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia will continue working on the accomplishment of our Euro-Atlantic commitment, since it was confirmed that the legislative house is the engine of our European train. I would like to underline that we are doing this not because someone is demanding it, but primarily because this is in our own benefit, since the European standards should be enjoyed here, at home first, and I think that we are moving in the right direction.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the citizens for their support, and to urge them now, when they can travel freely around Europe, to show to their European friends that we to are part of Europe.