Monday, 2 December 2013
MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI AND THE RAPPORTEUR OF THE MONITORING COMMISSION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, MR. ROBERT WALTER
The interlocutors expressed pleasure from this meeting and the opportunity to discuss on the prevent development and the progress of the Republic of Macedonia. The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski expressed pleasure from the accomplishment of the obligations and determinations towards the Council of the Europe. He stated that the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia highly appreciates the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the implementation thereof, as well as the reforms which contribute for greater democratic progress and development.
The meeting also referred to the recent recommendation for opening accession negotiations for the Republic of Macedonia as well as the implemented reforms on this path. The President Veljanoski underlined that the integration of the European Union and NATO remains to be the priority for the Republic of Macedonia, but that the top priority for Macedonia are the reforms in the area of economy which will benefit the citizens. Regarding the developments in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, the President Veljanoski informed the Rapporteur Walter that he expects the Budget of the Republic of Macedonia for 2014 to be adopted at the Session scheduled for mid-December and expects regular flow of the work of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.
Also, the President Veljanoski informed that a Working Group for Implementation of the Recommendations from the Commission Examining the Events from 24.12.2012 was established in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia. Even though the work of this Working Group has been blocked because the members from the opposition left the work of the Group, the President Veljanoski expressed hope that all laws, by-laws, amendments of the Rules of Procedure and other acts will be adopted during the first half of 2014.
The Rapporteur Walter seized the opportunity and congratulated the Delegation of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the successful cooperation and contribution in the framework of the work in the Parliamentary Assembly.
The President Veljanoski underlined that as a President of the Macedonian Assembly, he always supports the work of the Delegation of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
At the end of the Meeting, both interlocutors expressed hope that the good cooperation will continue and that the Republic of Macedonia in very near future will finalize the post-monitoring dialogue with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.