Thursday, 1 March 2012, Canberra, Australia
PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI, MET WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE, THE DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION MS. JULIE BISHOP, AND THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MR. HARRY JENKINS
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, and the members of the Delegation of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia composed of the Members of Parliament, Mr. Ilija Dimovski, Mr. Xhevat Ademi, Ms. Cvetanka Ivanova, and Mr. Milorad Dodevski, met today with the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade of the Australian Parliament, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ms. Julie Bishop, and the Member of Parliament and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Harry Jenkins.
At the working meeting with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, chaired by Mr. Michael Danby, MP, the Macedonian Delegation informed their Australian colleagues about the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia in the NATO led peacekeeping operations, the process of integration in NATO and the EU, and the situation with the human rights. The members of the Committee Mrs. Joanna Gash, MP, Mr. Laurie Ferguson, MP, Dr. Dennis Jensen, MP, and Senator David Fawcett, were interested in the economic situation and the main challenges, the rate of unemployment, the agriculture, and the effects of climate change on the environment in Macedonia.
The meeting with Ms. Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, was focused on the bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and Australia, the recognition of Macedonia by Australia under its constitutional name, and the possibilities for opening an Embassy in Skopje.
Ms. Bishop acknowledged the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia in the NATO led missions and said that, as soon as the new Australian Foreign Minister is appointed, she will submit a written request for Macedonia's recognition under its constitutional name, facilitation of the visa regime for the Macedonian citizens, as well as opening of Australia's consular office in the Republic of Macedonia. President Veljanoski invited Ms. Bishop to visit Macedonia.
The meeting with Mr. Harry Jenkins was focused on the contribution of the Macedonian community to the Australian society. Mr. Jenkins, who visited officially the Republic of Macedonia when he was Speaker of the House of Representatives, especially emphasized the values of the multiethnic society in Macedonia. Mr. Jenkins and President Veljanoski also talked about parliamentary diplomacy and the exchange of visits as excellent mechanism for resolution of the open issues and strengthening of the cooperation among the countries. They also discussed the student exchange programmes and the agreement on elimination of double taxation.
In the afternoon, President Veljanoski and the members of the Delegation visited the church St. Clement of Ohrid, where they met representatives of the Macedonian community in Canberra.