President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova attended and addressed today the session of the Parliamentary Commission for European Affairs, where the Reform Agenda of the Government (2024-2027) was presented, which refers to the Growth Plan of the European Commission.
In her address, the President said that greater cooperation between the Ministry of European Affairs and the Commission for European Affairs and the National Council for European Integration is necessary and that the Commission should open up and strengthen cooperation with all those involved in the European integration process, including the non-governmental sector, the expert public and the EU representatives.
The President stressed that the Macedonian reform agenda was the best rated by the Commission, which represents a positive mark and that we are getting closer to the European criteria, and thus to the entry into the EU.
“I think it is worth being optimistic. Why is it worth being optimistic? You know how many times I have criticized the European Union for not having a real strategy for the Western Balkans after Thessaloniki, for being late, for not taking responsibility. I think this is a step forward. So we have an agenda. The agenda, i.e. its implementation, we say is possible as they have understanding, they support us”, President Siljanovska Davkova said, expressing confidence that we will be able to make the Growth Plan and the reform agenda a reality, which will especially positively affect the confidence of the citizens.
The President said that the Growth Plan is to be welcomed because it is a kind of partnership, that is, a partnership between the European Union and the Western Balkans, learning from each other, with financial assistance, with counseling and evaluation, where the results, but also the responsibility will be shared.
In that context, she pointed out that this is an opportunity to be part of the common European market. In the context of financing, the President emphasized that it motivates, but it is good that it should not be advance, but tied to the achieved results.
In that direction, she emphasized the role of the Ministry of Finance and the State Audit Office, the importance of the existence of an integrated system of monitoring, that is, control over the spending of financial resources and audit over the internal control system.
Referring to the deadlines, the President pointed out that the deadlines are strict, but that this means that the EU believes in our ability. According to her, it is logical to pass the two laws by the New Year, on budgets and on public control over internal control, which is a condition for the release of funds for pre-financing.
Speaking about the payment method of 1/3 grant and 2/3 credit, the President said that this is always the most important for the opposition and in this context encouraged them to criticize.
In her address, she emphasized that the misuse of the European flag must be put to an end and she emphasized the harmonization with EU directives and regulations.
