Thursday, 29 September 2011
THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI HAD A MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, MR. RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, had a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting was in the framework of the official visit of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Macedonia.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr, Veljanoski expressed his pleasure from the meeting and referred to the traditionally good and friendly relations. In this direction he underlined the appreciation for the principle and constructive support of the Republic of Turkey for the Republic of Macedonia in the framework of the Euro Atlantic integration, especially the principle usage of the constitutional name of our country in the bilateral relations and on international level.
The President Veljanoski expressed conviction that the intensification of the political relations means benefit for the citizens, which is demonstrated through the broadening of the economic cooperation. He emphasises that Turkey is of the 10 most important trade partners and the trade exchange of 310 million dollars in 2010 is expected to reach 400 million dollars by the end of this year. The president Veljanoski expressed his pleasure from the opening of the new Skopje Airport “Alexander the Great”; in the concession of the international company TAV, which is the most contemporary airport on the Balkan and a reference for the future Turkish projects in the Republic of Macedonia.
The President Veljanoski also referred to the cooperation in many areas, especially to the cooperation in the area of defence and logistic support from Turkey in equipment, education and training of the Macedonian Army, through donations and other kinds of cooperation in the area of defence.
Mr. Veljanoski expressed his pleasure for the cooperation on parliamentary level and invited the President of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Cemil Çiçek to visit the Republic of Macedonia during 2012.
Regarding the Euro-Atlantic integration, Mr. Veljanoski expressed appreciation for the principle, genuine and strong support of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Macedonia for the integration in NATO, which was practically demonstrated during the NATO Summit in Bucharest in 2008. He expressed appreciation for the principle position of the Republic of Macedonia in the issue with Greece for the constitutional name and its energetic objections of the foreign pressure and conditions for the Republic of Macedonia to change its constitutional name.
On the other hand the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski reaffirmed our support for the efforts of the Republic of Turkey for integration in EU and expressed appreciation for the principle efforts of the Republic of Turkey for determination of date on opening accession negotiations for the Republic of Macedonia.
Expressing his pleasure for being in the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to many aspects of the successful cooperation between the two friendly and brotherly counties, the economic cooperation and the elimination of the barriers for successful business. He announced the future support in the area of defence, security, logistic support and training of our security forces.
In this context, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to the consequences of the world economic crisis in the region and in the neighbourhood, expressing his conviction that the indications on the economic growth are positive.
Referring to the European Integration Processes, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed support and encouragement for the European integration of the Republic of Macedonia, reminding of the years of waiting of the Republic of Turkey which should not discourage the efforts for integration.