The official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, to the Republic of Macedonia has confirmed the excellent relations between the two countries. After meeting his host, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, Mr Janša said that the issues they had discussed over the two-day visit focused on bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Macedonia, and the common European perspective. He added that Slovenia supports the EU's Open Door Policy and its enlargement to include the Western Balkans, while the recent reforms Macedonia has implemented make the country one of the most serious candidates for NATO and EU membership.
Upon his arrival the Prime Minister Janez Janša was met by his host the Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski (photo: Kristina Kosec/BOBO)
This morning, the Slovenian PM, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dimitrij Rupel, the Minister of the Economy, Andrej Vizjak, and a 110-strong business delegation representing eighty-six Slovenian companies and institutions, arrived in Skopje on a two-day official visit.
During the talks with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, Mr Janša congratulated his host on the rapid reforms that Macedonia had implemented recently, particularly regarding the fight against organised crime and corruption, and the harmonisation of national legislation with the acquis communautaire. He stressed that Slovenia boasted considerable experience from the time of its negotiations for EU and NATO membership which it is willing to share with the Macedonian government.
Prime Minister Janez Janša and Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski (photo: Kristina Kosec/BOBO)
"The Republic of Macedonia, and this I firmly believe, will soon join the EU," said Mr Janša, taking the opportunity to encourage the Macedonian government and all parliamentary political parties to undertake further reform measures. "This will not only convince the European Commission and other member states that Macedonian efforts are genuine, but will above all add to a better future for all the people living in Macedonia." He appealed to all political actors to engage in constructive cooperation and intensive political dialogue between the government and opposition parties, even more so when it comes to Macedonian national interests – joining the EU and NATO. According to Mr Janša, Slovenia has useful experience in this respect, as the interest to join the aforementioned organisations had been shared by practically all Slovenian parliamentary parties, which had also signed a special agreement.
Slovenia supports Macedonia's bid for membership of the EU and NATO, which is one of the most historic political and peace processes. Macedonia's membership can have a long-term effect in stabilising the more unstable parts of the European continent. Both countries have the same views of the situation in the region, and of the proposal of the Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari regarding the future status of Kosovo, and the expectation of seeing all outstanding issues resolved as soon as possible. "This will provide for the long-term stability which people need here to achieve greater welfare," said Mr Janša.
On this occasion three bilateral agreements and the program on cooperetion in european affairs were signed (Photo: Kristina Kosec/BOBO)
The visit also saw the signing of three agreements (on inter-state adoptions, on cooperation in healthcare and medicine, and on the employment of seasonal workers), and a government collaboration programme on European affairs in 2007. Especially important is the agreement on inter-state adoption, which was initiated by Slovenia in 1997. This will accelerate and simplify the child adoption procedure for Slovenian citizens, who will be able to submit applications for adopting a child from Macedonia in Slovenia, which has not been possible so far.
In the afternoon both Prime Ministers attended a Macedonian-Slovenian business conference with the participation of businessmen from both countries. In his opening speech, the Prime Minister Janez Janša stressed that Slovenia was one of those EU members which knows Macedonia and its people, customs and culture well. Therefore it is able to recognise Macedonia's varied potential, which can be exploited jointly for the benefit of both parties.
Both Prime Ministers also attended the Macedonian-Slovenian business conference (Foto: Kristina Kosec/BOBO)
According to the Slovenian PM, trends in economic cooperation between the two countries are very encouraging. Trade and investment cooperation is becoming more diverse. Trade in goods in the first eleven months of last year amounted to 151 million euros, while the Macedonian economy was successful in entering the Slovenian market, as its exports to Slovenia have increased by 36 per cent, which shows a positive trend towards a trade balance.
Slovenian investments also contributed to the further positive development of economic cooperation and to the greater equilibrium of inter-country economic trends. In the first 11 months of 2006 these investments amounted to 111 million euros, ranking Slovenia third among foreign investors, and created 2,000 new jobs.
In Macedonia, Slovenian companies have mainly invested in the energy sector, manufacturing, the banking, finance and insurance sectors, retailing, telecommunications, food processing, and tourism. "We wish to further strengthen and expand investment cooperation. The Macedonian government is planning a series of projects which are of great interest to Slovenian businesses. “I am convinced that Slovenian companies can offer quality solutions for these projects," said Mr Janša, adding that Slovenia is establishing itself as an attractive investment destination, which is an appropriate starting point for conquering EU markets. The adoption of the euro, the modernisation of the tax system, and disburdening the economy make the Slovenian business environment more lucrative. With the second round of Slovenian privatisation, new investment opportunities have arisen in the form of sales of shares of numerous state-owned companies. Due to its stability and profitability, the Slovenian financial market is also interesting to investors.
Prime Minister Janez Janša and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski also met with the journalists (Foto: Kristina Kosec/BOBO)
In the afternoon Mr Janša visited the Skopje Fair, where the management of the ERA company from Celje briefed him on the planned ERA City Centre and technological park projects.
Tomorrow the Slovenian PM is meeting representatives of the Slovenian community in Macedonia, and the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Branko Crvenkovski, and the Speaker of the Macedonian Parliament, Ljubiša Georgievski.
