Tuesday, 23 May 2017
Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi meets Ms. Louisa Vinton, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi met today with Ms. Louisa Vinton, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Ms. Vinton congratulated Mr. Talat Xhaferi on being elected President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and voiced expectation that the Assembly with swiftly reemerge as the center of political developments in the country.
Louisa Vinton, along with her associates, confirmed the support of the United Nations, especially the UNDP, where their long-standing experience and expertise is available to support the openness of the parliament to citizens, parliamentary oversight of executive power, cooperation between the parliament and the Ombudsman, anti-corruption committee and other independent institutions, as well as the responsibility of the parliament towards citizens.
She underlined that the positive Macedonian experience in building a multiethnic and multicultural cohesion can be contemplated on and can serve as an example for the future in terms of steady regional development and equal access to institutions for all citizens.
Thanking for the congratulations, Parliament Speaker Xhaferi voiced his belief that democratic principles need to return to the institutions of the system including the confidence in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and the respect of the separation of powers.
Interlocutors agreed that the Assembly will also have its role in implementing the recommendations of the EC high-level expert group in relation to the rule of law, democracy and human rights which can serve as a basis for future joint cooperation.
Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi informed interlocutors that as a former minister of defence he was a signatory to and an active contributor to the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 aimed towards ensuring greater participation of women at national, regional and international level.
Along this line, Ms. Louisa Vinton voiced hope that by the end of this year the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia will ratify the so-called CoE Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with the UNDP remaining at its disposal to provide information prior to its ratification.
Finally, interlocutors expressed their readiness and commitment to intensify mutual cooperation.