Friday, 24 January, Croatia
THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI OFFICIALLY VISITS THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, upon the invitation of his colleague, the President of the Croatian Parliament, Mr. Josip Leko, officially visits the Republic of Croatia. The Delegation of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia is comprised of: Mr. Fijat Canoski, Chair of the Parliamentary Group of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia for Cooperation with the Croatian Parliament; Mr. Aleksandar Nikoloski and Mr. Nedim Ramizi, Members of the Group.
The President Veljanoski, in the framework of the visit met the host, the President of the Croatian Parliament, Mr. Josip Leko and the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister on Foreign and European Affairs, Ms. Vesna Pusić. The President Veljanoski will also have a meeting with the President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Ivo Josipović.
At the meetings, the interlocutors shared the pleasure from the traditionally good and friendly relations between the two states, without open issues, as well as the preparedness for promotion of the cooperation on every level.
The President of the Croatian Parliament, Mr. Josip Leko expressed pleasure from the good relations, important for the bilateral and multilateral cooperation and the mutual support in the regional and international organizations.
He underlined that there are new occurrences upon the Membership of the Republic of Croatia in the European Union, but that it shall not go anywhere, in other words Croatia remains with the fiends and in the area that determines it. It is in the interest of Croatia to remain close with its surroundings in the accomplishment of the two goals, Membership in the EU and NATO.
Mr. Leko also underlined that the Republic of Croatia is prepared to assist the friends and neighbours to the requested degree and that the fulfilment of the high standards of NATO and EU by the Republic of Macedonia is recognized. He welcomed the good economic growth of the Republic of Macedonia as well as the low debt rate, considering the economic situation in Europe and in the world.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister on Foreign and European Affairs, Ms. Vesna Pusić underlined that the Republic of Macedonia has a consistent policy towards all countries of the Region, especially the Republic of Macedonia.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia underlined that the Republic of Macedonia was fully prepared for the Membership in NATO and that the lack of invitation for Membership in the Alliance is damage, not only for the Republic of Macedonia, but also for the stability of the whole Region. Ms. Pusić underlined that the Republic of Macedonia is ready for the two projects and that Croatia will continue with its open support on this path.
During the Meeting the interlocutors exchanged opinions for the current political events in the two states, the economic developments and the need from strengthening the cooperation in the area of economy, the importance and the benefits of the regional cooperation.
The meetings referred to the treatment of the two states towards the Macedonian and Croatian Minority respectively; the interlocutors emphasised the pleasure from the attention and the engagement of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Croatia in this area.
The President Veljanoski addressed before the Members of the Croatian Parliament, and tonight and tomorrow he will meet the Macedonian Community living in Croatia.