Monday, 19 September 2011
MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, MR. TRAJKO VELJANOSKI AND THE MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND RAPPORTEUR ON THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, MR. RICGARD HOWITT
At the beginning of the meeting, the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski briefly referred to the events and the achievements of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia in the past period. First and foremost, he underlined the positive achievements of the Assembly in the past two years, who brought the Assembly highest evaluation in the Progress Report for the Republic of Macedonia and which contributed for the overall positive evaluation of the Republic of Macedonia.
He added that all this is a result of a team work, which includes the Vice-Presidents, Coordinators and all MPs, regardless of their party or ethic belonging. In this direction he expressed his conviction that “we will all continue to work as a team to achieve the strategic goals” and that the political dialogue in the Assembly will be constructive.
He also referred to the current projects which strengthen the parliamentary capacities which are realized with the assistance of the foreign friends and donors, such as the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. In this direction, he underlined the increased role of the parliaments after the Lisbon Treaty.
Finally, the President Veljanoski referred to the successfully executed early elections, which confirmed the democratic capacity of the Republic of Macedonia and when the citizens decided on giving the trust to the leader of the state for the next four years. The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski underlined that all the reforms in the state are being implemented mainly for the citizens, for our economic prospect and for the promotion of our competitiveness on the European markets and wider.
In conclusion, the President expressed his conviction that this year’s Progress Report will be positive and that we will again receive a recommendation on opening negotiations. In this context the President Veljanoski underlined his conviction that the reports of Mr. Howitt will be realistic and objective review of what has been done and achieved by every political entity.
The Member of the European Parliament and the Rapporteur on the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Richard Howitt agreed with the opinion of Mr. Veljanoski that the economic progress is crucial and that the economic growth is expected with our membership in the European family.
Mr. Howitt also expressed his contentment for the exceptionally executed early parliamentary elections. He also stated that there has been a step forward and taht there is a cooperation among the political entities. The MEP, Mr. Howitt underlined that his evaluation will be objective and non party monitoring of the conditions and that he will tend to provide maximum contribution in the overall conditions in the Republic of Macedonia as well as in the maintaining the dynamics of European progress with respect to other countries in the Region.
Regarding the issue with Greece, both sides expressed their conviction that this issue should be resolved and the President of the Assembly, Mr. Veljanoski underlined that efforts for raising the trust between the two states are necessary.