The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, held a working meeting today with the President of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, Branko Azeski, the Vice Presidents and the members of the Board of Directors of the Chamber.
President Pendarovski pointed out that historically important fact for our country is that we are at the very close to our membership in the NATO Alliance.
“I disagree that it is only a security organization. There is no country with a good economy that is not a NATO member and is not associated in the bigger organizations of this type, especially not in Europe. Those countries that are not formally EU members, such as Switzerland, are part of the European common market with a series of signed contracts. NATO is important and we expect that by the end of the year, or at the latest in the first month of the next year, we will finalize our membership and become a full-fledged member”, President Pendarovski said.
“It is important for the restless Balkans to become part of the NATO Alliance, because by entering the security umbrella we get a high security guarantee, which is important for running a business”, the President said. He pointed out that representatives of the real business must be involved in the 35 teams that will lead the EU integration process.
At the meeting, President Pendarovski announced that by the end of next week, the post of advisor for economic issues will be filled in his Cabinet, and regarding the signing the decrees for the laws in this area, he said that he would not only sign them, but in the preparation of the legal solutions, he will insist on the involvement of the business community.
President Pendarovski said that apart from the diplomatic component, the economic aspect will be present at his international visits.
“For all international visits, the business community will be informed in a timely manner, while the Cabinet will have permanent contacts and cooperation in order to transfer their views, which will imply improvement of the economic relations”, President Pendarovski said.
The President said that diplomatic and consular missions also require a good personnel and a team that understands the real economy.
“In the diplomatic missions, we must send different profiles, persons who are also economically educated. From the very beginning, I will have a clear position on all important issues in the country, whether they are in my jurisdiction or not”, the President said.
President Pendarovski announced that he will meet with other chambers of commerce in the Republic of North Macedonia.
