| Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Köksal Toptan is continuing his contacts in Macedonia where he met with Macedonian Speaker of Parliament Trajko Veljanovski.Speaking at a press conference Toptan said Turkey has always supported the independence, sovereignty and political integrity of Macedonia and added that they wanted to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Trajko Velajnovski on his part reiterated that Turkey was the first country to recognize their independence in 1991 and they had received Turkey’s support for their NATO candidacy.TGNA Speaker Köksal Toptan also met with Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.Addressing the Macedonian Parliament Toptan said the Macedonian Turks who are loyal to their country have been contributing to the riches of this beautiful country with their language, cultural heritage and identity.Toptan said the Turkish community in Macedonia should be justly represented in the government and bureaucracy, and should be provided with its cultural rights.Drawing attention to the strategic importance of Macedonia, Toptan said NATO and the EU should be aware of this.Köksal Toptan later met with a delegation headed by the only Turkish MP in the 120 member Macedonian parliament, Kenan Hasip.The Macedonian Turks also have a cabinet minister in the Macedonian government. |
