Monday, 25 November 2013
THE INTERPARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION SHOULD BE A VITAL COMPONENT OF THE EURO INTEGRATION PROCESS
The 8th Conference of Committees on European Affairs/Integration of the states from the Stabilization and Association Process in South East Europe- COSAP was held in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.
Mr. Hajrula Misini, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia opened the Conference.
He underlined that the Conference is clear evidence that the interparliamentary cooperation of the countries from the Region is progressing, which practically means realization of the recommendations of the Thessaloniki Agenda. COSAP Meeting is another opportunity for a clear message to the Union that our future is in the European family, where we belong geographically.
„The interparliamentary cooperation should be a vital component of the European Integration Process and the inclusion of the parliaments is an expression of the democracy and the rule of law. The importance of strengthening the contacts with the national parliaments and the civil society, science workers, NGOs is of outmost importance, as well as the citizens, who should support this process” underlined Mr. Misini.
The opening remarks were given by Ms. Svetlana Jakimovska, Vice President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.
„One of the principles for full-fledged membership in the European Union is the regional cooperation. Today’s meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs is in this direction and I am personally convinced that this session and the conclusions that will be adopted will provide additional impetus for future development for the cooperation in the Region, its stability and European future, underlined Ms. Jakimovska.
The topics of the Conference were as follows:
- The Role of the National Parliaments and the Parliamentary Committees on European Affairs in the Usage of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance IPA 2 (2014-2020);
- Visa Liberalization;
- Functioning of Central European Free Trade Agreement CEFTA, experience and challenges;
- Approaching EU
At the end of the Conference, the Final Statement was adopted.