Monday, 1 April 2013, Belgrade
THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI IN OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski officially visits the Republic of Serbia. In the framework of the visit, the President Veljanoski had a meeting with his colleague, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Nebojsha Stefanovik, the President of the Parliamentary Group for Cooperation, Mr. Zoran Ostoik and the members of the Group, as well as the Prime Minister, Mr. Ivica Dakik.
„We expect and wish, in June, to receive date on accession negotiations with EU, and this visit of mine is in the focus of the good neighbourly relations, which are traditionally good” stated the President Veljanoski today in Belgrade, during the two day official visit to the Republic of Serbia.
„This visit to Serbia is in the spirit of the good neighbourly relations. We expect, wish and hope since we have fulfilled all criteria, both, Macedonia and Serbia to receive a date on negotiations in June. Both countries to be integrated in EU as soon as possible” said Veljanoski underlining that the fulfilment of the standards benefits all citizens.
Serbia and Macedonia have always had good cooperation, added Mr. Veljanoski, also, according to him, the contribution of the Serbian Community in Macedonia is significant, and this Community has two representatives in the Macedonian Parliament.
„This is an indicator that both states have appropriate treatment towards the ethnic communities. Serbia has always provided a significant treatment towards the Macedonian Community in Serbia” stated the President Veljanoski after the meeting with his Serbian Colleague, Mr. Nebojsha Stefanovik.
According to him, the visits to Macedonia by the President of Serbia, Mr. Tomislav Nikolik and the Prime Minister Ivica Dakik, emphasise the relations between the two states. The President Veljanoski announced the May SEECP Conference in Ohrid.
The President of the Serbian Parliament, Mr. Nebojsha Stefanovik underlined that Serbia and Macedonia are prepared for accession negotiations with EU and agreed with Mr. Veljanoski that the economic cooperation should be intensified.
„Many topics are common for the two states. Both states reached particular standards and fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria and the CE recommendations and hope for opening accession negotiations with EU. This kind of encouragement and accession in EU will be important not only in political context but also for the future economic cooperation, for which we already discussed” stated Stefanovik.
Considering the parliamentary cooperation, Groups for friendship have been established, which will contribute in the successful cooperation.
I believe that the visit will contribute in the strengthening the traditionally good friendship between the states and will open a new kind of cooperation in direction of bilateral and regional cooperation. Both countries are strongly dedicated on strengthening the regional cooperation which will provide benefits from EU, but also from other countries of the region” said the President of the Serbian Parliament.
The meeting also referred to the overall bilateral relations, but also for strengthening the parliamentary and the economic cooperation, which will provide presentation of the Macedonian and Serbian products on third markets and increasing the scope of trade between the two states. Even more, added Stefanovik, in countries that have strong will to strengthen the agriculture.
At the Meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Dakik, the interlocutors exchanged opinions on present topics that refer to the both states, for the relations which should be cherished and promoted even though they are on a high level, especially in the area of economy and cooperation of the business community. They also underlined that the joint session of the two Governments planned for May is an excellent opportunity for referring all open issues.
The Assembly delegation is comprised of the Chair of the Parliamentary Group for Cooperation from the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia with the national Assembly of the Republic of Serbia: Mr. Dragisha Miletik, as well as the members of the Group: Kosana Nikolik- Mazneva, Ivan Stoiljkovik and Tanja Tomik.
Mr. Mile Spirovski, the first Macedonian elected in the Serbian Assembly also attended the meetings. Spirovski is part of the last parliamentary composition of the Serbian Parliament, elected in May last year, and also member of the Democratic Party of the Macedonian in Serbia.
Tomorrow Mr. Veljanoski will meet the President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Tomislav Nikolik.