Monday, 15 December 2014
RATIFICATION OF THE AMENDMENT OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski and the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Stefano Lazzarotto ratified the Amendment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and the Swiss Federal Council, regarding the cooperation in the Project for Support in Establishment and Development of the Parliamentary Institute, continuing the cooperation in this joint project.
The Parliamentary Institute is a Special Organization Unit in the framework of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia whose mission is aimed towards strengthening the legislative and the oversight role of the Assembly. Its competences are stipulated in Article 42 of the Law on the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia. The Parliamentary Institute is a research centre that provides the MPs professional research and analysis.
Upon the ratification of the Memorandum, the President Veljanoski and the Ambassador Lazzarotto gave press statements.
The statement of the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski:
Distinguished Ambassador Lazzarotto,
Distinguished Members of the Steering Council,
Distinguished Representatives of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure that today we are continuing the thus far cooperation with our partner, the Embassy of Switzerland to the Republic of Macedonia towards future development of the capacities of the Parliamentary Institute of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.
Namely the ratification of this Amendment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and the Swiss Federal Council, in regard with the Cooperation in the “Support for Establishment and Development of the Parliamentary Institute” Project, continues the cooperation in the next three years, thus continuing the further development of our parliamentary capacity.
In this direction, the focus of the project in the next three years will be focused on perfecting the research services, library and archive, especially paying attention to the institutional strengthening of the Parliamentary Institute.
It is a pleasure to continue with the joint work on this project since from the very beginning of its work the Parliamentary Institute of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia demonstrated excellent results. In the past few months it has been providing objective general and comparative analysis as well as access to appropriately systematized research library for the needs of the MPs, Parliamentary Groups, Working Bodies and the Staff of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia. The civil servants employed in the Parliamentary Institute constantly participate in trainings providing them with knowledge and skills and preparing them to timely reply to the needs for analysis and research.
Our joint labor and dedication in the past four years provided results, creating a functional system worth to invest in our efforts for promotion and upgrade.
I would also express my personal conviction that the Parliamentary Institute will respond to its task and aim in the years to come.
In the end, I would also like to express appreciation to the Embassy of Switzerland to the Republic of Macedonia and to all participants who contributed in the successful establishment and functioning of this project.
Thank you.