Thursday, 7 February 2013
Meetings of the President Veljanoski in Washington
During the first day of stay in Washington, the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia Mr. Trajko Veljanoski had several meetings with Congressmen, Senators and heads of foundations and international organizations.
During the meeting with Mr. David Price, Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, President Veljanoski emphasized the successful cooperation between the Macedonian Assembly and the U.S. Congress.
President Veljanoski informed his host about the last steps for finalization of the project - Parliamentary Institute of the Assembly, which should secure professional analysis and assistance in the preparation of the laws proposed by the parliamentarians. He expressed satisfaction from the development of the parliamentary capacity of the Assembly and expressed appreciation for the assistance that the House Democracy Partnership has been giving to the Assembly in the last seven years.
After the meeting, Congressman Price gave a statement to the media. "We have a partnership of seven years with the Parliament of Macedonia as a key democracy in the Balkan region, a democracy that can and will be an example for other countries in the region. We feel like this has been an intense and productive relationship and we are very glad to renew it with visits of this sort", said Congressman David Price.
At the meeting with Congressman Peter Roskam, the interlocutors discussed Macedonia’s contribution in the NATO peace keeping mission. They voiced hope that the criteria for other countries when joining NATO would also be valid for Macedonia.
Congressman Roskam stressed that Macedonia and the United States should share joint values such as freedom, freedom of expression, and respect of religions and cultures. Mr. Veljanoski said that the settlement of all open issues requires will from both sides and an open and sincere approach.
At the meeting with the influential Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Mr. Ed Royce, President Veljanoski emphasized the need for permanent engagement of the United States in the integration of the Balkan countries in the EU and NATO. He also briefed Mr. Royce on the reforms implemented in Macedonia regarding the country's economic development and attraction of foreign investments, as well as about the efforts for finding a solution for the dispute over the name of the country between Macedonia and Greece, which affects the Euro-Atlantic integration processes and the progress of the country.
President Veljanoski also had a meeting with the President of the National Democratic Institute Mr. Kenneth Wollack, and the regional director of NDI Central and Eastern Europe programs Mr. Robert Benjamin. They discussed the successful cooperation between the Macedonian Parliament and NDI and the finalization of the joint project - the Parliamentary Institute in the Macedonian Assembly, which should start to function in the second half of 2013.
Mr. Veljanoski informed Mr. Wollack about the latest developments in the Parliament and stressed the need for overcoming the differences and conflicts for the good of the country. The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia pointed out that the European Commission has positively assessed the work of the Assembly in its last four Progress Reports on the country, and that NDI has given an important contribution to the building of the parliamentary capacity.
Mr. Veljanoski also met Congressman Peter Wolf and former Congressman Tony Hall. The focus of discussion was the importance of cooperation among the political parties and their members, regardless of their differences, and the need for leadership and people with integrity and authority in politics. 
At the meeting with the Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski expressed appreciation for the Foundation's support for Macedonia's NATO accession. According to him, the country's membership in the Alliance would result in increased regional stability and improvement of the life of the Macedonian citizens through economic development. Mr. DeMint stressed that the U.S. will continue to strongly support Macedonia, adding that the country has undertaken courageous and decisive steps on its path towards development.