Saturday, 11 June 2016, Sofia
Address of President Veljanoski at the Third Plenary Session of SEECP PA
Distinguished Ms. Tsacheva,
Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf, I would like to express the appreciation to the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria and to the President, Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva for the successful Chairmanship of the South East European Cooperation Process, as well as for the excellent organization of this Plenary Session.
Dear friends,
Jubilees are an excellent opportunity to remind ourselves where we started from, what we have achieved and what remains to be done in the future. The South East European Cooperation Process dates its origin in 1996 in the initiative launched at the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Sofia, under the name Process of Good-Neighbourliness, Stability and Cooperation. This was the oldest and the single entirely autochthonous regional initiative in South East Europe. Unlike many similar initiatives, which mainly resulted from the foreign factors’ intervention, SEECP, since the very beginning is an independent attempt by the South East European countries to organize the mutual relations on multilateral level. The regular meetings on highest level, of governments and parliaments, are significant indicator of the spirit of the support, collaboration and readiness for cooperation in the framework of the Process. This authentic voice of the region led to greater unity, reconciliation and return of the trust in the Region and through the years grew into a significant forum of political and diplomatic dialogue, which involves all South East European states.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The need for interparliamentary dialogue among the participant in the South East European Cooperation Process was explicitly noted in the Charter of Good-Neighbourliness, Stability and Cooperation in South East Europe from Bucharest and the support for the continuous parliamentary cooperation was expressed in the final declarations of many SEECP summits. Today, we can gladly conclude, that the establishment of the Parliamentary Assembly of the South East European Cooperation Process brought a qualitative new phase in deepening the parliamentary cooperation in the South East Europe, while the Assembly is a key factor in the strengthening of the stability and promotion of cooperation in the region. I believe that additional strengthening of SEECP PA, through the establishment of a Permanent Secretariat, will fortify the cooperation between the national parliaments of the participants even further, as well as the cooperation with the European Parliament and other international parliaments. Additionally, the Secretariat will contribute in wider political influence and visibility of the South East European Cooperation Process and strengthening the institutional and political aspects of South East Europe as a region. The decision making process for the location of the Secretariat has been open for many years now, and I believe that is of outmost importance to reach an agreement on this topic.
Distinguished colleagues,
We are all aware that in the past two decades the Region experienced significant changes. Important reforms were achieved, providing democratization of our societies and implementation of European standards. I have to underline, though, that we have a lot of work ahead. In addition to the political turbulences the region is experiencing, the influence of the global economical changes, the current migrant crisis, are certainly serious difficulties for all states, without exception. The economic cooperation, connections in the infrastructure and energy are essential for the future of the Region, and we should also focus on the solidarity for better resolution of the migrant crisis. Open issues should be resolved through a dialogue alone. The Republic of Macedonia remains active and constructive partner in the region and is strongly committed to promotion of the principles of good – neighbourliness and reconciliation in the Region. We are committed to deepening the regional cooperation; connection of the region through the development and modernization of the infrastructure, which would encourage improved economic development, trade and attraction of foreign investments.
Dear colleagues,
Back in 1996, the strength of the states to share the same table and to break the ice of mutual isolation was evaluated as a great success. The reserves towards the regional cooperation were gradually dismissed, and the need for building an atmosphere of mutual understanding, trust and overall cooperation prevailed. Today, our citizens, businessmen, artists, athletes and young people practice the good neighbourly relations and cooperation on daily basis. We, as parliamentarians, must surpass everything that hinders the development of the regional cooperation, and to move from “Balkan” to “Nordic” mentality, with most developed forms of mutual understanding and support, in direction of promotion of the good neighbourly relations.
Thank you for your attention.