Wednesday, 29 February 2012, Australia
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, MR. TRAJKO VELJANOSKI, MET WITH SENATOR GARY HUMPHRIES AND LUKE SIMPKINS, MP
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. Milorad Dodevski, Ms. Cvetanka Ivanova, and Mr. Xhevat Ademi, met with Mr. Gary Humphries and Mr. Luke Simpkins - members of the Australian Senate and House of Representatives. At the beginning of the meeting, President Veljanoski emphasized the good and friendly relations between the Republic of Macedonia and Australia and the efforts Macedonia is making in order to further develop and strengthen the cooperation with Australia.
Mr. Veljanoski and the Australian parliamentarians discussed the use of the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia in the communication with Australia. Mr. Veljanoski said that opening of Australian Embassy in Macedonia and lifting of the visa regime for the Macedonian citizens would contribute to further strengthening of the cooperation between the two countries.
Senator Humphries agreed that the abolishment of visas for the citizens of Macedonia travelling to Australia would contribute to improvement of the relations between the two nations. He also said that there is an increasing mood in Australia for Macedonia's recognition under its constitutional name. MP Luke Simpkins said no one has the right to tell Macedonia how it should be called, adding that people should be called by their given name, and not by a name that was given by others.
Mr. Simpkins also said that Macedonia should be publicly recognized for its progress and for the participation in the NATO led peace missions. Both sides agreed that the increase number of visits contributes to the intensification of the relations between Australia and Macedonia in the field of culture, economy and politics.
President Veljanoski also met with the Australia-Macedonia Friendship Group chaired by the Member of Parliament Mr. Stephen Jones.