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Visit by the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia rounded off four years of democratic development cooperation

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A delegation from the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia visited the Riksdag on 16–18 January. The visit took place as part of the Riksdag’s democratic development cooperation, which is led by Third Deputy Speaker Kerstin Lundgren (Centre Party) and First Deputy Speaker Kenneth G Forslund (Social Democratic Party). 

Since 2020, the Riksdag engages in bilateral democratic development cooperation with one to two parliaments in the Eastern Partnership – that is Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – or in the Western Balkans, for a period of two to three years. The primary aim of is to strengthen democratic institutions and convey democratic values. 

The first such initiative, which has continued for four years, has been with the Assembly of North Macedonia.  In addition to a couple of online meetings during the pandemic, this was the seventh consecutive meeting, which also rounded off the formal cooperation.

Photo: Melker Dahlstrand

Summary of the cooperation

During the visit, the North Macedonian delegation received information and followed the debate between party leaders, as well as the vote on a declaration of no confidence which took place on Wednesday. The Speaker Andreas Norlén hosted a working lunch. 

Roundtable discussions and summaries were held on what the steering groups had been working with, what had been achieved and how to move forward after formal cooperation has come to an end.

Functioning planning on the agenda

A question that has repeatedly been discussed over the years is the importance of functioning planning of parliamentary activities. In connection with the visit, a number of officials from North Macedonia therefore participated in meetings with staff from the Riksdag who are involved in the planning of the work of the Chamber.

About the Riksdag’s democratic development cooperation with North Macedonia

A parliamentary steering group led by the First and Third Deputy Speakers and with representatives from all eight political parties represented in the Riksdag leads the democratic development cooperation. 

The purpose has been to build a relationship with another parliament in order to create a network and thereby provide opportunities for support and exchange of knowledge. Core issues have included strengthening of democratic institutions, promoting human rights, gender equality, the importance of an opposition, openness, transparency, parliamentary control and the legislative role of parliaments. The cooperation has also included an exchange between officials.

The Riksdag’s democratic development cooperation

Contact person for the media

Lena Eklöf, Secretary to the Steering Group, email: lena.eklof@riksdagen.se, telephone: +46 70 993 47 82