President of Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov met today the Head of the Election Observation Mission for the Early Parliamentary Elections, Julian Peel Yates.

The meeting resulted with mutual conclusion on the importance of the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Elections which need to confirm the democratic maturity of the country, as well as confirm the capacity of all the participants in the election process to conduct elections according to the highest democratic standards.

President Ivanov highlighted his appreciation for the positive messages coming from the Head of the observatory mission.

“The elections, as a highest democratic act, represent criterion and have crucial importance for reaching our top strategic goals – EU and NATO membership. I strongly believe and expect this contest to be constructive and legitimate, a contest of proposals and ideas. I would like to highlight that whoever might think of causing incidents or irregularities during the elections, thus harming all of us as a society, will have to face the strongest possible institutional response,” said President Ivanov at the meeting with the Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission.

The Head of the Mission, Julian Peel Yates, informed the President about the goals, authority and the responsibilities of his Mission, stressing that at the elections all the participants should fulfill their role. He also added that the Mission will evaluate the elections based on the principles of democratic election processes, responsibilities taken by all OSCE member-states, as well as the national legal regulations. The observers will analyze the conduction of the election process from various aspects – the work of the State Election Commission and other election bodies, the behavior of all the participants in the election process, media monitoring, the elections day itself. The Report of the Observation Mission will give realistic assessment based on facts, said Julian Peel Yates.

President Ivanov reminded that from the beginning of the year he personally summoned several Leaders’ meetings, aimed at encouraging and facilitating the political dialogue, as well as contributing to reduction of the harsh rhetoric and animosity in the public space, which directly reflect to the citizens.

“Since the day the elections were announced, and many times before during the Leaders’ meetings I have organized, I persistently appeal to all the participants in the election process to behave in accordance with the level of democratic development of Republic of Macedonia and the realized achievements – fulfilled criteria for NATO membership and the readiness to start EU negotiation talks. I expect the political parties, their leadership and members, in the course of the election process to respect the norms of public decency, and during their political actions to be guided by the state and the interests of the citizens. Republic of Macedonia and its citizens have proved the capacity to ensure fair and democratic elections. Macedonian citizens have high level of political conscious and maturity to conduct such elections. I strongly believe that we will once again prove this on 5 June,” said President Ivanov.

The Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission for the early elections, Julian Peel Yates has expressed highest respect for President Ivanov’s engagement in this context.