Monday, 5 September 2011
THE MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, MR. RICHARD HOWITT PROMISED CONSTRUCTIVENESS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT REPORTS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
The Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur for Macedonia, Mr. Richard Howitt, held separate meetings with the Co-Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee Republic of Macedonia - European Union (JPC RM-EU), Mr. Kenan Hasipi, the Chairperson of the National Council for European Integration of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mrs. Radmila Šekerinska, and with the Chairman of the Committee on European Issues, Mr. Hajrula Misini.
The visit of the MEP Mr. Hewitt comes in the period when the Republic of Macedonia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its independence and the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, as well as at the time when we are expecting the latest report of the European Commission on the progress of the country.
The Macedonian MPs shared their view on the developments in the Republic of Macedonia, agreeing that the Euro-integration process and getting the date for opening the accession negotiations with the European Union are the main priorities of the country.
The Co-Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee Republic of Macedonia - European Union, Mr. Kenan Hasipi, pointed out that the remarks in the reports of the European Commission are very important as guidelines for the Republic of Macedonia in the process of European integration. He expressed his conviction that the Joint Parliamentary Committee Republic of Macedonia - European Union will continue with its work with even greater intensity, and that the Assembly will give its contribution to the Euro-integration efforts of the country.
The Chairperson of the National Council for European Integration of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mrs. Radmila Šekerinska, talked about the situation with the media in the country. She asked for stronger support from the European Parliament for the Euro-integration aspirations of the Republic of Macedonia. However, she emphasized that we need to present a clear and realistic picture of the situation in the country.
The Chairman of the Committee on European Issues, Mr. Hajrula Misini, emphasized the problem with the name with Greece as the main obstacle for Macedonia to become a member of the European family. The country has repeatedly received the recommendation for opening the accession negotiations with the EU, but we have still not been given the date for start of the negotiations. Mr. Misini appealed to Mr. Hewitt to discuss this issue with his Greek colleagues.
Mr. Hewitt, who has been a Member of the European Parliament for many years, promised that as Rapporteur for the Republic of Macedonia he will respect the opinion of all the political groups in the European Parliament and that he will be constructive in his reports, adding that the criticisms will be given in good faith and as a friend.
He pointed out that the main priority of the country should be finding a way to start the negotiations as soon as possible. He added that the citizens of our country should be aware of the benefits that would come with the membership in the European Union.
Mr. Hewitt said that he will visit the country again in two weeks time in order to present his programme as Rapporteur for the Republic of Macedonia in the European Parliament.