Skopje, 24 October 2024 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi held Thursday a bilateral meeting with Estonian counterpart Lauri Hussar, as part of the 3rd Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Riga.

Speaker Gashi mentioned the digitization process as a process that is constantly being improved in the Parliament, the challenges faced in the process of complete digitization of the institution, as well as current processes and ICT equipment in the Parliament in terms of the institution's transparency, accessibility of information to citizens and institutions, the Parliament said in a press release.

"Pointing out that the digitization of the Parliament and data protection are one of the top priorities in his mandate, he expressed confidence that the Parliament should utilize the practices of other parliaments that are already experienced in the process of digitization, noting that he sees the Estonian Riigikogu as a leader and pioneer in digitization in Europe and beyond," the press release reads.

Speaker Hussar expressed gratitude for the recognition of Estonia as a leader in the digital age, especially at a time of AI and data protection systems developments. He briefed Speaker Gashi on the processes and legal solutions in Estonia over the past 25 years, stressing that digitization is a process that requires allocation of significant budget funds, as well as great investment in citizens, their rights, and democracy. He expressed readiness to promote parliamentary cooperation and intensify contacts at all levels.

Interlocutors agreed that holding summits at a parliamentary level is an additional incentive and motive for parliament speakers to meet bilaterally and discuss protection against hybrid threats, as well as digitization and enhancing cooperation. The existence of Cooperation Groups between the two Parliaments was also discussed as an excellent basis for the realization of cooperation in the future. In addition, Gashi invited Speaker Hussar to visit the Republic of North Macedonia. ssh/nn/

Photo: Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia