Thursday, 9 May 2013, Dublin
DELEGATION HEADED BY THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI VISITING IRELAND
The Parliamentary delegation headed by the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski , in the framework of the two days official visit to Ireland, that is presiding with EU, in addition to the meeting with the Ceann Comhairle, Mr. Seán Barrett, had meetings with the President of Ireland, Mr. Michael D. Higgins; the Minister on European Affairs; Ms. Lucinda Creighton, the Joint Committee on European Affairs and the Irish- Macedonian Friendship Group.
The President Veljanoski attended the Sessions of the House of Representatives- Dail and the Senate.
At the sincere meeting with the President of Ireland, Mr. Michael Higgins, the excellent friendly relations, without open issues, characterised with greater dynamics than before between the Republic of Macedonia and Ireland were underlined.
The meeting referred to the present Euro-integrative processes of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as the dispute with our Southern neighbour lead under the auspices of UN.
At the meeting the President Veljanoski also expressed appreciation to Ireland for addressing the Republic of Macedonia in the bilateral communication with the constitutional name.
The President Veljanoski, at the meeting with the Minister of the European Affairs, Ms. Lucinda Creighton, expressed appreciation for the support that the Republic of Macedonia has been receiving from Ireland, especially since the two small European countries have common points in their historic path.
The meeting referred to several current affairs, especially the level of support of the Euro-integrative process, following the several positive Progress Reports for the Republic of Macedonia, which are not followed by a date on opening accession negotiations, as well as to the interparty cooperation in the context of the Euro-integrative process.
At the meeting with the Joint Committee on European Affairs and the Irish-Macedonian Friendship Group, the President Veljanoski expressed pleasure from the cooperation between the two states, in the context of bringing the Republic of Macedonia closer to the European Union.
He expressed pleasure for the principle opinion of Ireland regarding the enlargement of EU, as well as for the overall dedication and support for the Republic of Macedonia to finalize this process in Dublin, where in 2004; the application for Membership in EU was handed over.
The Members of the Joint Committee on European Affairs were interested in the good neighbourly policy of the Republic of Macedonia, as well the economy, unemployment and other social affairs. The Members of both Committees underlined the benefits for Ireland from the Membership in the European Union.
Previously, at the meeting the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski expressed his appreciation from the hospitality and for the meeting, which was an opportunity for exchange of information and opinions on accession affairs, bilateral and other issues in the context of further promotion of the overall friendly relations between the two states.
The Ceann Comhairle, Mr. Seán Barrett, underlined that the small countries such as Ireland, have hard time finding allies, which is the case with the Republic of Macedonia as well. He underlined the support of Ireland to the Republic of Macedonia, but expressed the regret that Ireland could not influence the decisions of other countries.
He underlined that from their point of view there is nothing that would stop the Republic of Macedonia from becoming part of the European Union, and expressed support for the Republic of Macedonia’s efforts to become part of EU.
The Delegation from the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, headed by the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski is comprised of the MPs- Members of the Group for Cooperation with the Republic of Ireland: Mr. Aleksandar Nikoloski, Mr. Nexhati Jakupi, and Mr. Panche Orcev.