The following problem is considered: find the vectors \(c_k\in \mathbb{R}^n\), \(k= 0,\dots, m\), such that the characteristic quasi-polynomial of the closed system \[ {d\over dt} [x(t)- Dx(t-\tau)]= Ax(t)+ A_1 x(t-\tau)+ bu(t), \]
\[ u(t)= \sum^m_{k= 0} c_k x(t- k\tau),\quad t\geq 0,\quad \tau> 0, \] has coefficients given in advance. The problem is solved for canonical neutral systems.