Friday, 26 March 2010
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski welcomed the Deputy Secretary General Assistant of NATO , Mr. Robert Simmons
Reminding that the Republic of Macedonia is not Member of NATO due to the issue with its Southern neighbour, the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski underlined that Macedonia continues its reforms towards full integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures.
Even though Macedonia is not Member of NATO, we take our tasks seriously and responsibly take our responsibility in preserving the peace. In this direction we have increased the number of soldiers in the peace mission in Afghanistan, and we are participating in other peace missions. As a parliament we are paying particular attention on the oversight of the army and other defence structures, which is one of the basic principles of the parliamentary democracy. We are also paying attention to the political dialogue in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and all this was contained in the last EC Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia, when we received a recommendation on opening negotiations. We have seen the repetition of Bucharest and that is why the Republic of Macedonia has not received a date on opening negotiations yet- stated the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski .
The Deputy Secretary General Assistant of NATO, Mr. Robert Simmons underlined that NATO highly appreciates the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia in the strengthening of the stability in the region, especially the qualitative and quantitative contribution of the Macedonian soldiers in the peace missions, especially in Afghanistan and in Iraq.
Mr. Robert Simmons underlined that the decision from the Bucharest Summit is still valid and that the procedure for accession in NATO will start as soon as the name issue is solved NATO hopes that this issue will be solved soon and that Macedonia will take its deserved place as full-fledged Member of NATO. NATO also appreciates the role of the Assembly in the oversight of the army and the defence structures, as well as the constructive contribution and the activities of the Parliamentary Delegation from the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia in the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO.