Thursday, 14 May 2009
PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, Mr.TRAJKO VELJANOSKI MET THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY AND CANDIDATE FOR THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY GENERAL, Mr. THORBJORN JAGLAND
During the unofficial meeting, the President of the Assembly Mr. Trajko Veljanoski stressed the friendly relations between the two countries and the principled support of Norway for our commitment to join NATO. "I regard this meeting as an opportunity for deepening our parliamentary cooperation, at all levels and in various forms. Taking as the starting point the fact that you are one of the candidates for the CoE Secretary General, I should like to emphasise that the Republic of Macedonia has fully embraced and applied the basic principles of the oldest European association - democracy, human rights and rule of law. These principles and standards are dynamic and need to be continuously promoted. Therefore, our country and our Parliament value highly the Council of Europe's role and I believe that, as a small country, we provide significant contribution in the implementation of these principles", stressed President Veljanoski.
The President of the Norwegian Parliament and Candidate for the Council of Europe Secretary General, Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland expressed gratitude for the meeting and full support for the idea for further promotion of the cooperation between the two Parliaments.
"As a NATO member, Norway acted in support of Macedonia's NATO membership at the Bucharest Summit, and that supports continues. You have fulfilled the criteria for membership and provide active contribution in a number of peace missions. In Afghanistan, your medical team works together with our team and we highly appreciate your contribution. As far as my candidature for the CoE Secretary General is concerned, I will regard it as a priority to strengthen the role of this oldest and largest European organisation. I will dedicate particular attention on strengthening the institutions, including the European Court of Human Rights and Parliamentary Assembly", said Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland, President of the Norwegian Parliament and Candidate for the Council of Europe Secretary General.