Skopje, 12 July 2023 (MIA) - The contribution of the Macedonian community in Australia is a great one, the Chairperson of the Friendship and Cooperation Group of the Australian Parliament, Cassandra Fernando, told Wednesday's meeting with the members of the Parliamentary Group of the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia for Cooperation with the Parliament of Australia.

Fernando pointed out that Australia is ready to work together with North Macedonia in sharing experience and knowledge, and support the country's development, especially in trade, innovation and technology, the Parliament said in a press release. 

MP Ljupcho Prendzhov pointed out that North Macedonia and Australia have a long-standing friendship, despite the geographical distance. He also said that North Macedonia has a significantly larger diaspora concentrated in several regions in Australia.  According to the latest population census, he noted, there are over 98,500 Macedonians in Australia, although given the several decades of migration, the real number of emigrants is over 200,000.

According to Prendzhov, that is one of the reasons why the two countries should intensify and strengthen cooperation, also at a parliamentary level, so that MPs from North Macedonia can visit Australia to find out more about the way of work and functionality of the political system there.

MP Rina Ajdari said North Macedonia and Australia nurture close relations. She added that cooperation between the parliaments is a way to promote good bilateral relations.

Aleksandar Veljanovski, member of Fernando's Cabinet, and the Honorary Consul of Australia in North Macedonia, Zoran Kostovski, also attended the meeting. ssh/nn/

Photo: Parliament