Saturday, 12 December 2009, Stockholm
Participation of the Vice-President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia , Ms. Svetlana Jakimovska in the Extra EU and Candidate States Speakers’ Conference
the Vice-President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia , Ms. Svetlana Jakimovska participated in the Extra EU and Candidate States Speakers’ Conference, held in Stockholm, in the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden.
EU and Candidate States Speakers participated on this Conference.
The Conference is held on the occasion of the ratification and entrance into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which strengthens the role of the national parliaments. This is the most important novelty of this Treaty, which contributes to the overcoming of the issue of the democratic deficit of the Union.
On the margins of the Conference, the Vice-President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia , Ms. Svetlana Jakimovska , had meetings with the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden, Ms. Liselott Hagberg, the Vice-President of the Parliament of Greece, Mr. Evangelos Argyris and the Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey, Mr. Mehmet Ali şhahin
Ms. Liselott Hagberg was interested in the participation of women in the Macedonian Politic and for the progress of the Republic of Macedonia in the European Integration. .
Mr. Evangelos Argyris Vice-President of the Parliament, agreed that the cooperation between our two parliament, as representatives of the citizen, will contribute in the approach of the two nations and expressed his will for closer parliamentary cooperation.
Mr. Mehmet Ali şhahin,Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey, Mr. , underlined that Turkey will continue its support for the Republic of Macedonia in its efforts to become member of the European and Atlantic family.
Address by the Vice-President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia , Ms. Svetlana Jakimovska on the Extra EU and Candidate States Speakers’ Conference
Distinguished Chairman,
Your Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my privilege and pleasure to participate on today’s conference after the adoption and entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty which enhanced the role of the national parliaments. This is the most important novelty of this Treaty which overcomes the democratic deficit in the European Union. This practically means that EU will have better legislation through its improved knowledge of the conditions in the Member States and will develop into an antiparliamentary democracy.
Aiming to fully support this Treaty, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia supports the need for exchanging good policies and information on the level of national parliaments and on the level of the European Parliament. This will be essential for the efficient implementation of the control of the principle of subsidiary, most of all by using the yellow and orange paper and the influence of this procedure over the decision making process in EU.
The Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia also greets the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and the reforms in the institutions of the enlarged Union through the adaptation of its policies to the fast reforms which are happening in the world convinced that they will additionally strengthen and simplify the institutional framework for future enlargement. We hope that the enlargement will remain high on the Union’s agenda in the next Spanish Presidency with the Union as well.
Shortly I would like to inform you on the process of approaching of our country towards the EU. The 2009 Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia affirmed our efforts and accomplishments in the fulfillment of the benchmarks and criteria for EU Membership and recommended opening the accession negotiations with my country. This recommendation was accepted, with pleasure, by the Macedonian public, unanimously affirming that the goal for EU Membership can be achieved and that the ides and values can be shared. It additionally motivates every entity in the country to contribute more effectively to the execution of the projected reforms.
Nevertheless these efforts were not affirmed on the Council of Ministers’ Meeting and our state did not received date on opening accession negotiations with the Union, which would have brought now energy, new impetus and new hope in our country. The opening of the negotiations would essentially influence other states from the Region in the pre-accession reforms and would reaffirm the credibility of the enlargement policy of the Union.
We will remain determined on the reform processes and our integration in the Euro-Atlantic family is the highest priority of our country. The Republic of Macedonia states its preparedness for overcoming the issue with our neighbor, but in accordance with the principles of the international law and without jeopardizing the elements of identity. We hope that in the near future new conditions for opening accession negotiations will be created.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to our hosts, the Swedish Presidency, for their principle policy, their efforts and commitments for Macedonia to start the negotiation process with the Union and to overcome the obstacles it is facing with.
Thank you for your attention