Wednesday, 27 July 2011
MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI AND MR. STEFANO SANNINO, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF EU DIRECTORATE FOR ENLARGEMENT
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski had a meeting with the Director General of EU Directorate for Enlargement, Mr. Stefano Sannino. After the bilateral meeting, the Director General met the Vice Presidents of the Assembly, Ms. Svetlana Jakimovska, Ms. Suzana Saliu and Mr. Jani Makraduli, the Coordinators of the MP Groups: Ms. Silvana Boneva, Mr. Talat Xhaferi, Mr. Igor Ivanovski, Mr. Imer Aliu, Mr. Goran Misovski and Mr. Rejhan Durmishi; the Chair of the Committee on European Issues, Mr. Hajrula Misini and the Chair of the Foreign Policy Committee, Mr. Antonio Miloshoski. The President of the Assembly attended this meeting as well.
At the beginning of the meeting Mr. Veljanoski referred to the events and the achievements of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia in the past period. First of all, he referred to the successfully executed early parliamentary elections, which have reaffirmed the democratic capacity of the Republic of Macedonia. The citizens decided on who they will trust to lead the state in the next four years.
Also, Mr. Veljanoski referred to the recent activities of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, when the amendments of the legislation in the judiciary were adopted- in the area of participation of the Minister of Justice in the Judicial Council and the Public Prosecutors Council, in accordance with the recommendations of the EU Report and the Opinion of the Venice Committee.
Also, in line with other legislative activities of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, when the reforms of the public administration were adopted, the President underlined that many laws in this area are amended, applying the principles which provide the citizens prompt and more quality services.
Referring to the achievements of the Assembly itself, the President Veljanoski underlined that the work done so far is a result of the team work which includes the Vice Presidents, Coordinators of the MP Groups and all the MPs, regardless of the party or ethnic background.
He also referred to the current projects which strengthen the parliamentary capacity and whose realisation is with the assistance of foreign friends and donors, such as the Westminster Foundation and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Mr. Veljanoski tackled the Law on the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, adopted with mutual cooperation, which is a unique law that implements numerous positive parliamentary practices into regularly implemented norms promoting the overall parliamentary capacity.
The Director General of EU Directorate for Enlargement , Mr. Sannino underlined that the early elections went well and that there is a cooperation among the political entities, leaving the boycott in the past. He underlined that 2011 is an important year for the Republic of Macedonia and for the integration of the countries from the Region: Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. He also, referred to the name issue with Greece and the aspects of the issues which need to be promoted in accordance with the last EC Progress Report. Mr. Sannino presented the expectation from the reforms and the positive standards achieved in the areas of public administration, judiciary, fight against corruption and freedom of speech. He also underlined that he expects the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to continue the adoption of the Acquis in due time. These points are in line with the finalization of this year’s Progress Report which will be published on 12 October.
The Vice President, Mr. Jani Makraduli, the Chair of the Foreign Policy Committee, Mr. Antonio Miloshoski, the Chair of the Committee on European issues, Mr. Hajrula Misini and the Coordinator of the MP group of VMRO-DPMNE, Ms. Silvana Boneva took the floor at the second meeting.
The Vice President Makraduli refereed to several issues, underlining that as parliamentary opposition, they will actively participate in the harmonization with the Acquis, but that they will strongly stand against the centralization of sensitive laws and the misuse of the areas of public administration and judiciary, criticising the situation in the Broadcasting area.
The Chair of the Foreign Policy Committee, Mr. Antonio Miloshoski referred to the democratic achievements of the Republic of Macedonia, underlining that the country is a successful story in many aspects and that the integration of the Republic of Macedonia is a matter for the stability of the Region.
The Chair of the Committee on European issues, Mr. Hajrula Misini, referring to the confidence and professionalism, underlined the need for finalization of the implementation of the Agreement on Stabilization and Association of the Region.
The Coordinator of MP Group of the VMRO-DPMNE, Ms. Silvana Boneva referred to several issues and common efforts in direction of receiving a positive progress report as well as to the comparative aspects of the recent amendments of the legislation in the Broadcasting area.