Wednesday, 17 May 2017
PARLIAMENT SPEAKER XHAFERI MEETS HEAD OF OSCE MISSION TO SKOPJE, MS NINA SUOMALAINEN
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi met today with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Ms. Nina Suomalainen.
Ambassador Suomalainen congratulated Mr. Talat Xhferi on being elected President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and voiced hope for future productive cooperation. Underlining OSCE’s presence in the country since 1992, she emphasized that recently, aside from key priorities stemming from her mandate, the Mission is closely following the political situation and the developments in the country. She reminded that even on 27 April 2017 the OSCE Chairperson-in-office and Secretary-General have strongly condemned the attack on the Assembly which was followed the next day with a joint statement by heads of EU Delegation, the US Embassy, OSCE Mission and the NATO Liaison office in Skopje in relation to those incidents.
Parliament Speaker, Mr. Talat Xhaferi thanked for OSCE’s support for the development of democratic processes in the country. While appealing that the deplorable events of 27 April should never happen again, he ascertained that OSCE’s expertise would be very useful in terms of sharing the best practices in relation to the establishment of a parliamentary internal security. In addition, Mr. Xhaferi reiterated his belief that the Assembly must be fully open and cooperative with the citizens, the NGO sector and the media.
The interlocutors also exchanged opinions on the future activities of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, above all the election of a new government as an expression of the parliamentary majority and the formation of parliamentary committees, delegations and parliamentary cooperation groups. In terms of the current condition related to upcoming local elections, Parliament Speaker Xhaferi informed about the coordination meeting held with the leaders of the political parties, where it was agreed that elections are to be held in first half of October. Steps to be taken by the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia before calling elections were also agreed upon.
Finally, Mr. Xhaferi and Ms. Suomalainen referred to the role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, noting Macedonia’s active participation in the activities thereof, and underlined its vital contribution to facilitating the inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.