On Monday, 26th August 2013, within his one-day official visit to the Republic of Croatia, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia responsible for European Affairs, Mr. Fatmir Besimi, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Ms. Vesna Pusikj.
Congratulating the Republic of Croatia on its attainment of full EU membership, Deputy Prime Minister Besimi emphasised that the experience of the countries that have paced the road of fulfilment of the obligations arising from the status of full membership, in particular those that have recently done it, such as Croatia, is very important and valuable for the Republic of Macedonia.
During the conversation concerning the cooperation that has been developed heretofore between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Croatia, confirmed by numerous high-level meetings and by signing several bilateral agreements, including the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Agreement, the preparedness for intensifying cooperation and exchange of experiences in the process of European integration was underlined. The Croatian experience will be welcomed in the process of harmonisation of the national legislation with the Acquis, in particular in the chapters in which Croatia has attained acknowledged expertise. Deputy Prime Minister Besimi stated his expectations regarding further support on the part of the Republic of Croatia in the process of European integration of the country.
During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister Besimi met the mayor of Zagreb, Mr. Milan Bandikj. At the meeting, in a friendly atmosphere, experiences about the effects that the process of European integration has had on the development of the city of Zagreb were shared, as well as activities which are undertaken on mobility promotion, multiculturalism, respect of diversity and the participation and responsibility of the various ethnic communities living in Zagreb in the development of the city.
The Deputy Prime Minister Besimi met the Macedonian and Albanian Community living and working in the Republic of Croatia. The meeting, attended by high representatives from different areas of life and associations, aimed at discussion about their integration into the Republic of Croatia and their relationship with their families in the Republic of Macedonia. The Deputy Prime Minister Besimi informed the representatives about the latest developments in Macedonia, as well as the efforts and progress of the country in the process of European integration.
As part of his visit in the afternoon, the Deputy Prime Minister Besimi will meet the President of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipovikj, who is expected to discuss about the experiences, cooperation and support of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Macedonia"s integration in the European Union.