Friday, 19 February 2010
Participation of Mr. Hisen Xhemaili, Member of Parliament in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, at the Ninth Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna
Mr. Hisen Xhemaili, member of the Delegation of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA), took part at the Ninth Winter Meeting of the Organization, held on 18 and 19 February 2010 in Vienna, Austria. The Winter Meetings were attended by around 250 parliamentarians form the OSCE member-countries and included the meetings of the three Committees of the OSCE PA: the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, and the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, a joint meeting of the three Committees, a meeting of the Standing Committee, as well as a special debate on the “situation in Afghanistan”.
Mr. Kanat Saudabayev, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, addressed the joint meeting of the three General Committees. He informed the participants about the programme of the Kazakh Chairmanship, as well as about the initiative for organization of the OSCE Summit. He emphasized that sstrengthening of the co-operation with OSCE parliamentarians is an important component in tackling regional challenges such as protracted conflicts and the European arms control regime.
Mr. Fatmir Besimi, the Macedonian Minister of Economy, addressed the meeting of the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment. He talked in the capacity of Chairman-in-Office of the Energy Community about the goals of the Community, as well as about the priorities and challenges of the Macedonian Chairmanship, such as the development of a regional energy market for the purpose of supply security, continuation of the process of harmonizing the national legislations with the EU legislation, as well as implementation of energy efficiency.
More than fifty parliamentarians, including Mr. Hisen Xhemaili, took part in the special debate on the situation in Afghanistan. Mr. Xhemaili informed his colleagues about the participation of the Republic of Macedonia in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. In order to continue the support for establishing political order in Afghanistan, the Republic of Macedonia plans to send additional 79 soldiers, who will take part in the training and mentoring of the Afghan Security Forces, together with the National Guard of Vermont, USA. Mr. Xhemaili pointed out that the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia for global security, peace and stability strengthens its international credibility as partner in promoting freedom, democracy, and human rights and values.