The transparency and the openness of the parliaments are important instruments in practicing democracy. The Parliaments themselves should take care of seizing the possibilities at disposal to be open to the public and the citizens. In particular, I can underline that the activities of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia are completely transparent, in the direction that, every plenary session, every committee meeting, public and scrutiny debate, as well as parliamentary activities are broadcasted at the Parliamentary TV Channel. In this context, it is extremely important that the parliamentary activities connected with the EU integrative processes attract the attention of the public and the citizens.

Since the beginning of the 20th century the humanity is being faced with unseen demographic changes. This majorly is a result of the decrease of the birthrate, the live span and the migration flows.  In Europe, this phenomenon has got its name “the aging societies”. The statistics show concerning numbers. The situation of the population shall not change significantly in 2060, but the older population, over 65 of age will be predominant.

I am pleased and honored that this year, on the tracks of the beautiful Mavrovo, the traditional and jubilee 50th Mavrovo Memorial will take place, fulfilling the dreams and wished of the generations from 1957 that organized the first memorial- Nordic Skiing Contest. The contest is being held in the honor of the deceased 38 construction workers of the electrical system Mavrovo hydroelectric power station and 14 brave border guards who died in the avalanche in 1956., who are the true ganglion adorning the present. Let us remind ourselves of the young constructionists, who, at the “Mavrovo 48” action said: “we do not have enough machinery, but we have something else, we had heart and strong will to build our state, and that is stronger than any machine… ” 

With regard to the parliamentary cooperation on global level, we expressed mutual satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the Assembly and the United Nations, i.e. the Inter-Parliamentary Union. We also exchanged views on the development of the capacities of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia as an institution that has to continually invest in its capacity, in order to be able to meet the challenges.

Allow me to inform you that in accordance with the legal obligation, as a President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and in accordance with the timelines established with the Election Code, I have ratified the Decree Scheduling the Elections of Council Members in the Municipalities and the Council of the City of Skopje and for Mayor of Municipalities and the mayor of the City of Skopje.

None of the modern democracies can give up on functioning of the political parties. This democratic anchor has been present aside from the diverse tendency against the political situation, the political quarrels and the party- political activities. The person with the desire to be positioned above the parties and say that he/she is lead by only by the state-political needs, is denying oneself and others. These persons often present their views as a pure professionalism in the same time attempting to discredit others’ opinions as a “party policy” or “ideological”.

In this time of intensive changes, when the traditional matrices of the old world are being transformed, there are movements that lead toward strengthening the new paradigms and the new models of value in the society. These new paradigms include the tolerance as an active opinion, which means respect of the differences and recognising diversity in the society and the world as a whole.

The corruption, as a social evil is as old as the human civilization. It has been present in all social governances and in every state. The corruption is present in all social activities, in other words, as the politicalogist Harold Laswell defines it- the corruption is a misuse of the general interest for personal benefit

On behalf of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and on my personal behalf I welcome you and wish you successful and fruitful work. It is indeed a great pleasure to be the host and organizer of a significant event such as the marking of the anniversary from the First Conference of the Presidents of Parliaments of the Member States of the South-East European Cooperation Process, initiated by the Parliament of the Republic of Greece and held on this day, 15 years ago in Athens.

This years Progress Report, similar to the previous Reports, is a realistic reflection of what has been achieved in the past one year. In other words, noting the positive movements that we have made, as well as the issues and the remarks we should address and dedicate more attention and energy on.

Even though the democracy is, so far, one of most optimal and comprehended manners of organization of the political community, it is undoubtedly a dynamic process that requires permanent development. In the same time, the democracy has its absurd and weaknesses create possibility and space for some dilemmas, confusion, nourishment of the conspiracy theory and antidemocratic forces and aims, which is evident in European countries and in the world.

First and foremost allow me to express my appreciation to participate in the debate for the future of the European System for protection of human rights. Since its establishment, the European Convention on Protection of Human rights and freedom and the European Court have confirmed to be an especially important international document and instrument deeply embedded in the legal and political systems of our states.

The Referendum of 8th September 1991, when over 95% of the citizens voted in favour of establishing sovereign and independent Macedonia, is our greatest modern victory. The referendum confirmed the idea, the aspirations and determination of all previous generations embedded in the two Ilindens - the creation of a sovereign and independent Republic of Macedonia as the state of the Macedonian people and all its citizens. 

Ilinden is an unstoppable energy.
Ilinden is a symbol of the self-sacrifice for our motherland and a moving code of Macedonia.
Ilinden is the feast of the revolutionary wakening of the Macedonian nation.
It is a step to the ideal for freedom, a moment when the dreamers fulfill their dream.
When the small and occupied nation with a big heart, received something other nations dream of and still fight for.
Ilinden is the moment when the citizens of Macedonia decide to raise their voice for their state. With pride. With dignity.
Honestly and pugnaciously It is the light in the historic sea of events when we have taken what belongs to us.
Finally we had a state we could call our own!
Firmly taking the right of self-determination just like any other freethinking nation

It is my sincere pleasure that today, after 18 months from the beginning of the project for strengthening the capacities of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Integration process and the negotiation process; we are officially finalising the project and reviewing our achievements and results. In the same time, this project is a verification of the achievements of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia noted in the EC Progress Reports on the Republic of Macedonia.

It is my sincere honour and pleasure to address on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Monetary Independence of the Republic of Macedonia. Last year we marked the key dates related to the sovereignty of independent and democratic Republic of Macedonia, and this year we are marking other historically important anniversaries, among which is the 20th anniversary of the monetary independence of our state

Speaking of the position and the role of the parliament in this new and digital media, I have to underline that the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia has done many qualitative steps forward. The introduction of the E-Parliament provided an overall transparency of the whole legislative process. The redesigned parliamentary website provides the citizens to contact their MPs or political groups and submit proposals, ideas and remarks. The Parliamentary TV Channel broadcasts all parliamentary sessions, scrutiny debates and meetings of the Assembly’s bodies and tends to start a new, interactive program which will include not only the MPs but all social entities, including the citizens.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic ofMacedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, in the framework of the Conferenceof Speakers of the European Union Parliaments, held in Warsaw, the Republic of Poland. The President addressed in the First Session- “The crisis of the European unity,what shall we do?”, Ms, Maria da Asunaco Esteves was introductory Speaker. Over20 participants addressed at the First Session.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all on this important event and to inform the public on the initialization of the employment of the 25 professionals that will work in the Parliamentary Institute of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, whose work is one of the remarks of the Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia.

Today, three years after the initializing the process of the Republic of Macedonia against the Republic of Greece on the violation of the Interim Accord, the International Court of Justice has adopted the final verdict, which strongly confirmed the unambiguous reality that our southern neighbour consciously violated the Interim Accord of 1995. 

This year Macedonia celebrates!
This year Macedonia remembers!
The nation celebrated the independence on the 8th September;
On the 8th September for this reason the citizens were united under the same sun.
Finally, on this day God showed us that we are all His children, that Macedonia is our country and that the future is our mutual challenge! We shouted proudly, and with thundery voices we continue to shout
MAY MACEDONIA BE ETERNAL AND TIMELESS.
The occasion today is our new great anniversary!
20 years since the adoption of the Constitution.
20 years since the adoption of the document which founded the state and legal foundations which are rock solid.
20 years of independence and sovereignty

23rd October is not an ordinary day! 
On this date, in 1893, the Organization which would change the flow of the Macedonian history was established. 
Today, we are celebrating the establishment of the famous VMRO (Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization)! 
Today, we commemorate the efforts of the fathers of the Organization who, strongly believing in the achievability of freedom, decided to take matters in their own hands and provide the Macedonian independence and dignity through personal sacrifice.

Traditionally, I have been officially handed the EC Progress Report for the Republic of Macedonia on its path toward the accession in the European Union. The year’s report, as the previous ones, is an objective reflection of the positive changes we have made, as well as the issues and areas which we should address

The Republic of Macedonia and its immediate neighbors share similar foreign and policy strategic determination, which is the basis for constructive, fruitful and overall bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation in the process of integration of EU and NATO, regardless of the different degree of their integration in these institutions. The cooperation between the countries from the region itself is a visionary idea. It is the basis for optimism for better future of our nations, and in the same time announces and new cycle of our development seeking for new energy, enthusiasm and efforts

The Republic of Macedonia is an active supporter of the regional initiatives and processes, through which it manifests its political commitment for strong regional cooperation and support of the courtiers from the Region. We are convinced that using the basic postulates of our foreign policy- the solution of the open issues though dialogue and preparedness for cooperation, we contribute for the stability in the Region, the European Continent and the world in general

The members of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of the People’s Republic of China: Mr. Sun Wensheng; Mr. Ren Maodong, Mr. Zhang Baijia and Mr. Li Manchang, as well as the Coordinators of the political parties: Ms. Silvana Boneva, Mr. Talat Xhaferi, Mr. Igor Ivanovski, Mr. Goran Misovski, Mr. Rejhan Durmishi and the MPs: Mr. Antonio Miloshoski, Mr. Aleksandar Spasenovski, Mr. Gordan Georgiev and Mr. Mende Dinevski attended the meeting

The Republic of Macedonia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its independence.
These days we proudly remember the past two decades during which we realized the age-old dreams of the previous generations.
Our homeland is paying respect to the successes from the past, at the same time looking towards the future.
There is no greater confirmation of the love and respect we fell towards our country than our unity demonstrated this 8 September, when we celebrate the realization of the ancient Macedonian dream for creation of an independent state

Mechkin Kamen has a very special historical place that has a very special place in our hearts. 108 years ago, the foundation of the Macedonian statehood was established in this very special place. In 1903 the Macedonian nation established the first Republic in this European Region, here in Krushevo. 

It gives me great pleasure to mark the opening of the Balkan Festival of Folk Songs and Dance tonight together with you. This pleasure is even greater since this year’s the Festival celebrates an anniversary – this is the 50th Festival. At the very beginning I would like to express appreciation to the organizers - the national institution Centre of Culture “Gligor Prlichev”, as well as the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, which supported this Festival financially. Today, the Balkan Festival of Folk Songs and Dance is member of the International Organizations of Festivals CIOF and IOF and promotes the Macedonian folk song and dance, as part of our national identity. 

The expressed trust electing me as President of the 7th composition of the Macedonian legislative house is a great honor and obligation for me, especially in times when our common determination and acting will determine the trajectory on which our state shall move. In this direction, allow me to convince you that the function you have allocated to me will be exercised consciously, vicariously and above all- responsibly.  My political experience, dedication in the achievement of the Macedonian national priorities, as well as devotion to the values of the democracy shall be an additional guarantee that the Macedonian Assembly will be the strongest guarantee for the realization of our state interests.