Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Meeting of the NATIONAL european integration council and mr. david lidington The National European
Integration Council had a meeting with Mr. David Lidington, Minister on Europe from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Ms Radmila Shekerinska, Chairman of the National European Integration Council, Mr. Petar Pop-Arsov, Chairman of the Committee on European Issues, Mr. Dimitar Minchev, Representative from the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Macedonia , Mr. Gjorge Ivanov, Mr. Sasho Stevkov, Representative of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia , Mr. Nikola Gruevski, Mr. Tome Kolev, Representative of the Catholic Church, Ms. Mimosa Shumkovska-Veljanovska Representative of the Jewish Community in the Republic of Macedonia and Mr. Zivko Mitrevski, President of the Syndicates of the Republic of Macedonia attended this meeting.
Mr. Lidington was informed on the work and constitution of the National European Integration Council and it was underlined that last year the Republic of Macedonia received a recommendation on opening accession negotiations, but did not received a date for opening negotiations. The Republic of Macedonia is doing everything to start the accession negotiations, but the bilateral issue has been imposed as a key factor.
Also it was underlined the Republic of Macedonia has a candidate state status for the past 5 years, without any indication that the Republic of Macedonia may receive the timelines for integration.
Mr. David Lidington, Minister on Europe from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland underlined that the British Government is looking forward to see that the Republic of Macedonia is approaching NATO and EU.