The President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov in frames of the IX UNESCO Regional Summit of Heads of States in South-East Europe taking part today in Serbia, met the EU Commissioner Ms. Androulla Vassiliou, with whom he shared views for more intensive and wide-ranging cooperation between Republic of Macedonia as a candidate-country and the European Commission in the areas for which the commissioner is in charge – education, culture, multilingualism and youth.

At the meeting both interlocutors expressed mutual hope that soon the problems will be resolved and the conditions fulfilled for abolition of the suspension on the EU programmes “Lifelong Learning” and “Youth in Action”, imposed following the financial misuse by the former director of the National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility.

Vassiliou appealed special attention to be paid on the financial management of the Agency, which will bring benefit to Republic of Macedonia, though Macedonia is not the only country facing troubles of this kind. President Ivanov informed the Commissioner Vassiliou that the Ministry of Education and Scienceand the National Agency are working intensively on meeting the conditions for reestablishment of these programmes.

The Macedonian Head of State has introduced the “School for Young Leaders” to the Commissioner, a project which was this year organized for the second time under his auspices. He also informed her on the Law on Youth. The EC Vassiliou expressed full readiness and interest for close and deepened cooperation in the areas mentioned, highlighting the importance of involving youth in public life, an obligation coming out from the Lisbon Treaty, but also a matter to which she is personally fully devoted.  

Vassiliou has informed the President on the European Commission’s plans to increase the culture budget for about 30%, which is also an opportunity for Macedonia and the Western Balkans to carry on the efforts and the processes in the areas of culture, aiming towards economic growth.

At last President Ivanov asked for the Commissioner’s support for successful implementation of the reforms in education in Republic of Macedonia, as well as for the Strategy for integrated education.