Skopje, 6 February 2024 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Jovan Mitreski and the Secretary General Cvetanka Ivanova met Tuesday with the Ambassador of Switzerland to North Macedonia, Véronique Hulmann, and Robert Scott Heaslet of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), who is team leader of the Swiss-funded Parliament Support Programme (PSP). 

Talks focused on the effects of PSP projects implemented so far, as well as on possibilities for fast and efficient implementation of projects within the second phase of the Programme, the Parliament said in a press release. 

"Expressing satisfaction with the Parliament's cooperation with the Swiss Confederation and the NDI, Speaker Mitreski noted that the first agreement within PSP, for the 2020-2023 period, was signed on this day four years ago," reads the press release. 

Mitreski pointed out that the implementation of PSP projects will continue into the coming period until the elections are held, expressing expectation that the process will continue after the constitution of the new parliamentary composition.  

Secretary General Ivanova said the projects resulting from the PSP are very important in further developing the functionality and independence of the legislative branch in the country. She also expressed confidence that the implementation of the PSP, which is included in the Parliament's Strategic Plan, will continue into the next mandate.

"Ambassador Hulmann expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with the Parliament so far, stressing that the Swiss Confederation, through the Embassy in the country, will continue its support in the direction of further strengthening the functionality and democracy of the legislative branch," the press release adds.

NDI's Robert Scott Heaslet mentioned the PSP projects implemented so far, while also focusing on the effects expected from the projects within the second phase.

Photo: Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia