Tuesday, 29 October 2013, Czech Republic
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA OFFICIALLY VISITS THE CZECH REPUBLIC UPON AN INVITATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC, MR. MILAN ŠTĚCH
At the meetings with the host, Mr. Milan Štěch, and the Prime Minister Mr. Rusnok, the President Veljanoski expressed his pleasure from the opportunity to realize this first meeting at highest level and which is an additional impetus for the traditionally goof and friendly relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Czech Republic.
The President Veljanoski underlined the mutual interest in the cooperation on Speakers level, as well as the future possibilities for promotion of the overall parliamentary cooperation.
He also expressed appreciation for the decision of the Czech Republic, from February, to use the constitutional name in the bilateral communication, conveying the gratitude for the principle support on the path of the Republic of Macedonia for integration in the European Family.
Veljanoski underlined that the Republic of Macedonia recognizes a friend in the Czech Republic, as well as just and principle advocate for the NATO enlargement with the countries that fulfil the conditions for receiving a full fledged membership, a friend that is providing a continuous support for the integration of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Union.
The President of the Senate of the Czech Republic, Mr. Stech underlined the importance of the well developed friendly relations between the two states, preparedness of the Czech Republic to support the Republic of Macedonia for the integration in EU and NATO as soon as possible. He expressed his regret that the economic crisis contributed in the destruction of the attention dedicated to the enlargement of the Union, but also underlined that the and his colleagues seize every opportunity to popularise this topic on international level, that the citizens should not lose hope and the Balkans should not go through the past years again.
The First Senator expressed his preparedness to share the experiences and steps in the negotiations with the European Union, as well as the experiences regarding the attraction of foreign investments, to which the Czech Republic is paying great attention in the past 10-15 years, since they provide prosperity and low rate of unemployment. Ms. Štěch, upon the invitation of Mr. Veljanoski, expressed his preparedness to visit the Republic of Macedonia next year, accompanied by a business delegation. Regarding NATO, Mr. Stech shared the impression that the Republic of Macedonia is already a member which participates and contributes in the Alliance.
The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr. Rusnok underlined that the relations with the Republic of Macedonia are very close and friendly. That the Czech Republic is interested in sooner integration of the Republic of Macedonia and its neighbourhood in EU and NATO, and expressed his conviction that this is the path and the manner for stabilization and enlarging the zone of prosperity. He expressed preparedness for sharing the experiences, both, positive and negative, regarding the European path.
The Prime Minister Rusnok underlined that for the Czech Republic there is no name dispute and that they are aware that on international level there are obstacles regarding the usage of the name, but that for them it is not a obstacle at allow. He also underlined that the support and the good relations with the Republic of Macedonia will remain as such regardless of the political entities.
The interlocutors agreed that the mutually good economic relations are the basis for the successful development of the relations in every area, and that they should work on intensification and promotion of the relations in the area of economy. That the Macedonian and the Czech market have possibilities and conditions that should be additionally used.
The trade exchange and the possibilities for investment of the Czech companies in the Republic of Macedonia, as well as the current events in the two states in the areas of mutual interest and the possibilities for cooperation in the area of energy, education, culture, technology for protection of the environment were also some of the topics that the interlocutors referred to.