The Deputy National Coordinator for Countering Violent Extremism, Xheladin Ajvazi, met with Leslie Moorman, a representative of the Office of Religious Freedom of the State Department and the political advisor of the US Embassy, Adrian Ismaili.

The meeting represented an opportunity for an open and constructive discussion with the representative of freedoms of the State Department, on the topic of respect for religious freedoms and rights, social awareness, about their importance, in the Republic of North Macedonia.

The Deputy National Coordinator presented the legal and institutional framework of the Republic of North Macedonia and the previous experiences that the National Committee for Countering Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism is facing on this matter. 

The process of reintegration, resocialization and rehabilitation, whose coordination is in charge of the National Committee, is only one of the many challenges of this body, pointed out at the meeting, where special importance is given to religious freedoms and human rights of returnees, foreign fighters and their families. The process of reintegration, resocialization and rehabilitation in the Republic of North Macedonia is carried out in accordance with the National Plan and Standard Operating Procedures.

The Deputy National Coordinator for Countering Violent Extremism, during his presentation, also pointed out that representatives of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archdiocese, the Islamic Religious Community, the Catholic Church, the Evangelical-Methodist Church, as well as the Jewish Community were also involved in the development of the National Strategies for the Prevention of Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism and the accompanying Action Plans 2023-2027, where their continued presence is foreseen during the implementation of these state strategic documents.

The National Committee for the Prevention of Violent Extremism and the Fight against Terrorism, as a coordinating body, will continue to initiate cooperation between all social actors, i.e. state institutions, religious communities and civil organizations for promotion, understanding and dialogue in society, and such cooperation should also continue in the region.

At the meeting, it was established that the high degree of respect for religious freedoms and human rights is one of the main values for every democratic society and plays a vital role in encouraging social harmony, peace and prosperity. As much as it is judged that this process is at a satisfactory level, striving for its continuous improvement in the future will represent a significant challenge.