Skopje, 9 February 2024 (MIA) - Caretaker Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski, Deputy Minister Nazim Bushi and additional Deputy Minister Mitko Bojmacaliev met Friday with Italian Ambassador to North Macedonia Andrea Silvestri, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a press release.

Toshkovski briefed Ambassador Silvestri on the Ministry's role in the caretaker government in the process of organizing the upcoming elections.

"The Ministry's role is to act legally and professionally in organizing fair and democratic elections. Toshkovski also noted the impossibility of assigning all 15 management positions at the Ministry," the press release reads.

In response to Silvestri's question, Toshkovski explained the measures taken to mitigate procedures for issuance of personal documents to citizens. He also highlighted the need for respecting legal procedures and deadlines, placing himself in the role of a protector of human rights in relation to the free movement of citizens. Regarding the technical expiration of travel documents, in accordance with the dynamics of their issuance, Toshkovski asked for support from Silvestri and Italy in terms of the possibility of prolonging the deadline without violating international law and the basic human right of freedom of movement. 

Ambassador Silvestri, the press release adds, underlined the role of all interior ministries across Europe and worldwide as a guarantor of safe, fair and democratic elections. He also welcomed the successful bilateral cooperation between the two countries and interior ministries, highlighting current projects from the aspect of increasing capacities of the Macedonian police.

Minister Toshkovski expressed confidence that cooperation within already started projects with Italy as a long-standing partner, will not only continue, but also increase.ssh/nn/

Photo: MoI