Wednesday, 23 May 2012
MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, MS.BARBARA PRAMMER
At the meeting, both sides stated that the bilateral relations are very good and that they are moving in positive direction. In this framework, the parliamentary cooperation, on the level of Presidents, Parliamentary Committees and Groups contributes significantly, underlined the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski.
Speaking of the present situation, the President Veljanoski underlined that the Assembly is focused on two crucial issues - the process of Euro-Atlantic Integration of the Republic of Macedonia and the implementation of the adopted laws and reforms. Regardless of the outcome from the NATO Summit in Chicago, regardless of the fact that we have been receiving recommendation on opening accession negotiations with the European Union in the past three years, followed by the blockade of our Southern neighbour, the Republic of Macedonia will not give up on its strategic determination, full fledged integration in EU and NATO.
The President Veljanoski underlined that all these reforms and harmonization with the European Directives are being enforced this is in the benefit of the citizens, and the politicians are responsible before the citizens. The fact that we are on the good track was confirmed by the Commissioner Füle during his recent visit of this Assembly.
Expressing appreciation and pleasure from the visit of the Republic of Macedonia, the President of the National Council of the Republic of Austria, Ms. Barbara Prammer underlined the role of the parliaments in the development of the overall bilateral relations.
Ms. Prammer stated that the Republic of Austria, and its Parliament, fully supports the Republic of Macedonia in the process of European Integration. The Project United Europe can be successful with the integration of the Republic of Macedonia and all the countries from the Region. Therefore, our position is that the problem that Macedonia has with the Constitutional name cannot be connected with the opening of the accession negotiation with EU, i.e. these processes should be parallel.
At the meeting, Ms. Barbara Prammer officially invited the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski to visit the Republic of Austria. The President Veljanoski accepted this invitation with pleasure.