Thursday, 18 February 2010
Meeting between the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski and Mr. Yorgo Chatzimarkakis, Mr. Alojz Petrle
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski greeted Mr. Yorgo Chatzimarkakis, Co-Chairmen of the 7th Joint Parliamentary Committee- The Republic of Macedonia - EU and Mr. Alojz Petrle, Head of the Delegation of the Foreign Affirms Committee.
Reminding of the European Commission Progress Report on the Republic of Macedonia and the recommendation for receiving date on opening accession negotiations, as well as the Report by the Rapporteur for the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Zoran Thaler, the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski underlined that the NPAA is a priority of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, but also the institutional and administrative adaptation for EU Membership are also high on the agenda. This Assembly constantly works on strengthening the parliamentary principles, and in this framework, the political dialogue.
The Republic of Macedonia did not receive date on opening negotiations with EU, due to well known reasons, although our European friends constantly state that the name issue is a bilateral issue and that it should not affect the EU Integration. Nevertheless the Republic of Macedonia will continue to implement the needed reforms and will continue the negotiations, under the auspices of UN, for finding mutually acceptable solution. Greece is our neighbour and we want to have highly developed friendly relations based on mutual respect and trust. This is in the interest of both sides, but also in the interest of the stabilization, development and integration of the region in EU – underlined Mr. Veljanoski
The MEP Alojz Petrle stated that the Republic of Macedonia has achieved many significant results.
The work is not finished yet and the reforms must continue. The fact that you continue working is an encouragement for us and we; as MEPs continue working for full EU integration of the countries from the Region. Regarding the name issue, I would like to underline that you must seize the moment, since two sides show preparedness to find a solution- stated Mr. Petrle.
Mr. Yorgo Chatzimarkakis Yorgo Chatzimarkakis, Co-Chairmen of the 7th Joint Parliamentary Committee- The Republic of Macedonia - EU underlined that he shares the opinion with his colleague and that now is a good moment to find a solution.
That is why, figuratively speaking, we are pressuring Macedonia and Greece to find a solution for the name issue, which is in the interest for the two countries but also for the region in general- underlined Yorgo Chatzimarkakis.