Skopje, 13 June 2023 (MIA) – Parliament will remain open for all initiatives that we deem contribute to an improved awareness and wellbeing of the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, said Speaker Talat Xhaferi at Tuesday’s presentation of the National Development Strategy 2024-2044.

According to Xhaferi, through the presentation of the Strategy in front of the Deputy Speakers, party whips, chairpersons of committees, Parliament’s Secretary General, the inclusivity of the institution in the drafting of the Strategy is secured.

“Parliament strives to be a transparent institution where debates can be held at various levels over all important national and social issues. As Speaker, I give my unequivocal support for the drafting of this very significant document for the development of our country in the next two decades, and I believe that everyone present shares my opinion and will give their own personal contribution,” said Xhaferi.

The Speaker that Parliament’s inclusivity will be implemented through its inclusion in the Strategy’s program and project activities in the aspect of Parliament’s role as the creator of policies, but also, in synergy with all other political and social stakeholders such as the academic community, civil society, nongovernmental organizations, business community, tough, local self-government units and the broader public, i.e., the citizens.

“From the aspect of the concept, it is especially significant that the Strategy does not reflect inflexible political positions on certain issues, but rather, that it is conceived as a document that will provide opinions, visions and ideas from the MPs, as representatives of the citizens, on which thematic areas will be analyzed and which issues the Strategy will focus on. The end goal is a developed and a modern state with satisfied citizens,” stressed the Speaker.

Xhaferi urged his colleagues to attend the forums when the topics will be defined, and provide ideas, visions, proposals in the name of the citizens they represent,

“This is the only way for the Strategy to have a comprehensive vision and a civil character, which is its basic goal, and Parliament will remain its main promoter. I am sincerely glad about the interest shown by my colleagues in the Strategy. Some of them are already included in other activities, so I believe we will have a fruitful discussion after the Presentation,” said Xhaferi.

The presentation of the National Development Strategy 2024-2044 is organized upon the initiative of the representative offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations (UN) in Skopje, who are drafting the National Development Strategy 2024-2044 with the support of the embassies of the United Kingdom and Slovakia in North Macedonia.

Photo: Parliament of North Macedonia